Ericsson and Intel are collaborating on a way to "lock" a stolen or missplaced notebook computer via a text message and GPS, closely following Lenovo's initiative.

Intel and Ericsson seek to protect laptops

According to a HotHardware, the anti-theft measure will see a link up between Intel's Anti-Theft Technology-PC Protection (Intel AT-p) and Ericsson's Mobile Broadband modules.

The Intel-Ericsson solution puts one over Lenovo's by including GPS functionality.

Once the Ericsson mobile broadband module chip receives the lock-down message via SMS, it passes the message to the Intel AT-p which lock the laptop, render it useless, block the boot process, and even delete cryptographic keys.

The report said the GPS may detect the notebook being brought outside a pre-defined area and this will also trigger a lockdown.

When a lost laptop is recovered, another SMS message can be sent to it to unlock it.

The Intel-Ericsson solution would be available by the second half of 2009.

Via