The Viper Smart Start app can control your car from wherever you are, as long as you have a data connection on your iPhone or iPod Touch.(Credit:Directed ElectronicsCar security company Directed Electronics is unveiling a new iPhone application Tuesday that lets customers control parts of their Viper SmartStart-enabled vehicle from their iPhone or iPod Touch. The app, called Viper SmartStart, is quite similar toZipcar's recently released iPhone app, except it can work with your car, and not one you're renting for the weekend. It too creates a virtual keychain control module that can do things like lock and unlock your vehicle, open the trunk, and activate the alarm, getting rid of the need to carry around one of those keychain clickers as long as you've got your phone handy.Coolest of all, though, there's a "Smart Start" button in the center of the screen that can turn on your vehicle. The company is promoting this as a simple way to defrost or cool off a car before you get in--that is, assuming you correctly set the climate controls the last time you were inside.Since the app uses the iPhone's data connection to send the commands, you can control your car (or cars) from anywhere you have an EDGE or 3G signal. It also means you can use it on a non-cellular data device like the iPod Touch, as long as it's near Wi-Fi. The app is completely free, but it requires you have Viper's SmartStart system installed in each car you want to take control of. This costs $499 for a new installation, or $299 for cars that already have a Viper alarm system, as well as an active subscription to Viper's Smart Start service. Buyers of the system get a year of the $29.99 service included when they get the service installed; then they have to pay after that. I'm still waiting for a version that can give you live video and steering controls, like the ridiculous, yet awesome invisible Aston Martin Vanquish from "James Bond: Die Another Day." Though something tells me that's not happening anytime soon. Watch the company's promo video after the break.... Originally posted at Web Crawler

  (Credit:Automotive NewsTURIN, Italy--Fiat S.p.A. may turn to Chrysler for help in reviving its European lineup of prestige sedans.The Italian group's upscale Lancia brand could get a replacement for its Thesis flagship from the next-generation Chrysler 300, due in 2011, a Fiat source said. It ...

  (Credit:Josh Miller/CNETBMW's revived 6-series has always suffered from an unattractive rear, and this problem hasn't been fixed in the 2010 650i Convertible. The lack of a proper roof also makes the profile of the 650i bland, so it's best to spend as much time ...

  Volkswagen of America, Inc. today announced the launch of their smart phone-optimized mobile website. The mobile website is compatible with all web-enabled cell phones and mobile devices.The site offers customers location-based services such as the ability to find a dealer, schedule a test drive, or get a quote.Instead ...

  (Credit:Automotive NewsThe Chinese have found that reviving old British sports cars is a tough business.Limited production of the MG TF roadster at the former MG Rover factory near Birmingham, England, has stopped again.Just 265 MG TFs have been sold this year. The car, available only in ...

  (Credit:Microsoft2009 is suddenly a holiday of racers. If you don't believe that, consider the trifecta that dropped--or will drop--shortly: Need For Speed: Shift, Dirt 2, and Microsoft's holiday tentpole Forza Motorsport 3. All of them promise realistic physics, blazing speeds, and tons of customization, but NFS: Shift and Dirt 2 are multiplatform, while Forza Motorsport 3 is an Xbox 360 first-party exclusive. For my money, though, I'll take Forza 3. After playing all three, the newest Forza has, surprisingly, won me over--not with realism, but with fun.I say surprisingly because "simulation racers" generally lie in a calcified place among the hearts of the mainstream gamers: the hundreds of factory-immaculate car models and pitch-perfect world racing circuits, along with the endless class licenses and intricate engine tune-ups, can turn most gamers off completely. Right here in the CNET offices, I told a colleague I was playing Forza 3, and that I actually enjoyed it. "Really?" he asked, somewhat disbelieving. It's assumed that Gran Turismo and Forza will be inaccessible to those who don't appreciate racers, just like Madden often erects a wall between NFL fans and gamers and the rest of the world.I am a casual racer, and Forza 3 sucked me in.Its first success was employing a calm British man to talk to me. Much like LittleBigPlanet, a gentle voice of authority (although in this case, not Stephen Fry) welcomed me, showed me the basic ropes, and told me everything was going to be all right. Rather than worry about detailed car controls and under-the-hood tinkering, a simple press of a few A and B buttons got me right into a season-long circuit of races. The voice tutorials gently tailed off naturally, until I had the ropes completely. Suddenly I realized that I had been playing for several hours, and was itching to complete just one more race challenge to unlock more credits. That's when I realized that, fundamentally, Forza 3 is a success.... Originally posted at Crave

  I've spent the majority of this week trying to hunt down quality (free) web video of the Britcar 500 event that rocked Silverstone Circuit roughly a week ago. So far, the best I've come up with is an in-car cam vid of the first lap around the storied ...

  The drumbeat gets louder against driving while texting, it's hybrid vs. diesel for Green Car of the Year, GM says selling on eBay was great--but we're over it! And we go for a ride in a new retractable Lexus that is either BMW's nightmare--or a total chick ... Originally posted at Car Tech Live

  (Credit:Josh Miller/CNETGarmin's great success with its Nuvi line of portable GPS devices lead the company to try and extend its market into cell phones. And with numerous smartphones encroaching into navigation, it's not surprising that Garmin is trying to fight back. After a couple of ...

  This USB drive from Mercedes-Benz is shaped like a car key, and holds information and photos about the new E-class.(Credit:Josh Miller/CNETCrazy media kits: USB drives from automakers As a bit of Friday fun, we gathered up the most unique USB flash drive press kits we've ...