Wait, remote car starters?

I have one and its great for the winter. I only use it around this time of year and thats it. I don't see the point of using it when it's not cold. Start it up about 10-20mins before I leave and its nice and warm inside.

I've had this car starter for about 5-6 years now and no problems.
 


my friend has one that has an app for it on the iphone. It's called viper or something. Really comes in hand during the winter. It'll even send you a text if the alarm goes off
 
Or - you can leave it in gear while working at a car dealership and have the thing hop through the windows in the front of the showroom as you're showing a customer... fwiw
 
What is the fucking point of a remote car starter? Is it like that bright blue light on a Bluetooth headset, just one more way to say "Hey world, look at me, I've got a gadget!" Or is there actually some kind of practical purpose to this concept?


Frank

It was -10 F when I went outside to start my wife's car this morning so it could warm up before she had to leave. I wish I could have started it from my desk with a remote starter.
 
You've heard of "butt dialing" your phone right? I wonder if there are any cases of people croaking in their house after accidentally "butt starting" their car w/ one of these starters while the car is in the closed garage and not noticing it?