Ericsson's F3607gw wake-on wireless HSPA module offers remote kill switch and recovery for laptops
The big CTIA Wireless show in Vegas continues to crank out mobility news with the launch of Ericsson's F3607gw HSPA/GPRS/EDGE broadband module. The Windows 7 lovin' module's unique "wake-on wireless" feature allows your laptop to sleep until important messages or security updates are sent over the air. Combine that little trick with F3607gw's embedded GPS and your laptop is ready for a host of location-based services like traffic alerts, public safety warnings, and geo-fencing. Of course as we've already seen, the module works with Intel's Anti-Theft Technology so you can remotely disable (via SMS) the laptop you left behind at happy hour. The module can even send its location data to a central server for recovery. Once recovered, a second SMS will unlock your portable and make all your data accessible again -- your dignity, however, will be lost forever. Expect to see the first portables and theft-recovery services featuring the new module sometime after the F3607gw is released in June. Full press release after the break.
Update: Dell, LG, Lenovo, and Toshiba have all signed on as customers with products expected by "mid-second-half" of 2009.
Ericsson enhances user experience and affordability with next-
generation mobile broadband module
Ericsson (NASDAQ:ERIC) today unveiled its most advanced mobile broadband module,
uniquely designed with innovative features to provide a richer and cost-effective internet
experience for all. The next-generation module marks the latest milestone for Ericsson,
furthering the company's vision of an all-connected world.
Ericsson's F3607gw mobile-broadband module for HSPA/GPRS/EDGE networks, to be released in
June, will provide enhanced functionality and convenience through its innovative features, reduced
power consumption, prolonged battery life and an increased level of integration, reducing the
number of necessary components and therefore cost. The new module will also provide built-in
mobile broadband support for Microsoft Windows 7.
Mats Norin, Vice President of Ericsson Mobile Broadband Modules, says: "The combination of
leading technology and innovative design in the next-generation module is key to delivering a
superior user experience at an affordable price. This module release confirms Ericsson's
commitment to making the benefits of connectivity available to everyone."
An important facet of the F3607gw is the unique wake-on wireless feature. By remaining
connected while a notebook or netbook is in sleep mode, the module's wake-on wireless feature
enables users to remotely wake up the device. This innovative technology will allow a new set of
applications to be built into the computer to further enhance security and instant-on functionalities,
such as the ability to disable the computer in case of theft, or instant distribution of important
messages and security updates.
Operators can also combine the wake-on wireless feature and embedded GPS functionality to
create a range of differentiating services for consumers and the enterprise market, including
remote manageability, security updates, asset protection and tracking and geo-fencing. The
module can also be used for content push services, such as podcasts, public warnings, traffic
updates and database updates.
Specifically, the wake-on wireless feature supports security solutions based on Intel's Anti-Theft
PC Protection Technology. An anti-theft management service in the network can send a message
via SMS to the mobile-broadband module inside the notebook, which securely transfers the
message to Intel's Anti-Theft function inside the processor platform. This takes appropriate actions,
such as completely locking the computer and making it unusable. When the notebook is located
and recovered, an unlock message can be sent to the notebook that makes the data accessible
again.
