Ericsson announced a collaboration today with Intel to offer GPS-based anti-theft technology to notebooks by ensuring compatibility between Ericsson's Mobile Broadband Modules and Intel's Anti-Theft PC Protection Technology. Basically, if you were to purchase a laptop with this technology installed, an SMS message upon report of the theft would entirely lock down the machine and once the machine was located and recovered, another key could render it operable again.

Thanks to the integrated GPS in this solution, a laptop will also be able to be associated with a specific location, so that if it leaves the pre-defined area, it will trigger a potential theft scenario and alert you of the potential theft. Then the GPS can be used to locate the stolen laptop and an SMS message can render it inoperable to secure the data. According to the press release, this technology will be available for consumers in the second half of 2009. 

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