By now, we've all heard of the iPhone and all of the clever technology which has been developed since its original release in June of 2007. Currently, there are 85,000 available applications for download. These applications have a combined number of 2,000,000 downloads as of September 2009. These applications have such a wide range of purposes and uses that there is virtually no way to keep track of all of them. Recently, there has been a surge in iPhone applications and designers have begun to venture into the automotive realm.

In coming days, a California company will announce the release of an iPhone applications and automobile receiver which enables users to unlock, lock, and remote start their car with the push of a button, replacing the use of the car's key fob. Known as the Viper SmartStart, this application can be seen as the most recent addition in the newest trend of automotive electronic functions crossing over into the world of interactive phones. Other examples of applications which have been integrated with automotive uses include turn-by-turn directions and an application that helps the driver locate the gas station closest to where they are.

The SmartStart remote locking and car starting application will hit Best Buy at a starting price of $499, a reasonable price for such an advanced concept. However, automakers seem to have mixed feelings on the emergence of these new technologies. Some are embracing the integration while others are continually fighting it. Some companies such as Ford will continue to try and come up with new clever applications to make their customers lives easier. Recently, Ford has announced that they have partnered with the University of Michigan and the University of Detroit Mercy in an attempt to advocate students creating new mobile applications.

Ford is not the only Automaker who has begun to expand on these applications. BMW Mini has has an application which enables its owner to contact a tow truck with one push of a button. Created by Allstate Roadside Services, this application allows Mini owners to request basic automotive services such as battery boosts and flat tire changes. Toyota Scion came out with an application which is geared more towards pure entertainment. This application lets “would-be Djs time the precise speed of a song by tapping the phone to the beat.”

Currently, the SmartStart is one of the most remote application. In one demonstration, Mike Simmons – Executive Vice President of Directed Electronics- showed exactly how remote the SmartStart application actually is, when he started his car in California while using an iPhone in Kansas City. This demonstrates the versatility and technological advances the industry is experiencing. If this technology continues to advance it will have major impacts on a variety of areas within the industry ranging from auto transport to production lines, and even dealerships.