Press Release
	(Dec. 13, 1998)

	OmniRemote and Car Security


Because of the flood of news stories regarding  OmniRemote and auto
security, we felt it was a good idea to address the issue.

First, while people have been able to open car doors with limited
success, we have heard no reports that anyone has done so illegally.
In fact, for reasons explained below, we suspect that it would be
very difficult to use OmniRemote to open a car without the owner's
knowledge.

A number of people have written to us about using OmniRemote to
control the keyless entry system on their own cars.  First, most
car remotes use Radio signals rather than IR.  There of course, 
are some IR systems.  The problem is that most use a system called 
"code jumping", or "rolling codes".  This means that when the car
receives a code from the remote it locks out that code so that it
can't be used again.  Which means that while you might be able
to program OmniRemote to open your doors once, it wouldn't do it
a second time.

This would make it impossible for someone to hide in the bushes
and steal your code as you open your car.  As you open your car,
the code is being invalidated and will no longer be of any use to
the person "listening in" on the signal.  Even if this weren't the
case, The receiving range of the Palm III/OmniRemote Module is
very limited.  You would probably notice the person with the Palm
Pilot standing next to your car door.

It's a bit like the old tale of sprinkling salt on a bird's wings
to keep it from flying away.  Someone would need to borrow your
keys when you're not looking, train the Pilot, then get to your
car before you use your remote again and the code changes.  If 
they're going to do that, why don't they just take the keys?

The auto and alarm companies are well aware of the possibilities.
Learning universal remote controls capable of performing these
functions have been around since the late 1980's - longer than the
IR keyless entry systems.

While it might be entertaining to show your friend that you can open
your car door once with your Pilot, I think it would be even more
fun to show them that you can do it with one of the new learning 
remote digital watches!