Ericsson's F3607gw wake-on wireless HSPA module offers remote kill switch and recovery for laptops
By Thomas Ricker 
posted Mar 31st 2009 8:00AM
posted Mar 31st 2009 8:00AM
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.
Getting closer.
C'mon self-destruct!
Vengeance, like Gespato soup, is best served cold, and precise.
Gespato soup huh? Don't you mean Gestapo?
Yeah because the Gestapo would never blow someone up...?
Thanks a lot there, crazy.
Yet another feature these editors won't have the luxury of enjoying daily till next 2 or 3 Macbook Revisions.
Laptop of the year that doesn't offer built in 3G or even BRD.
looks like the thief got smart and is pulling the chip out!
hmm.. I'm thinking he meant gazpacho (cold tomato based soup)...
Actually.. let me re-phrase that- Mmmm he meant gazpacho... /slurp
Big Bother.
Big fail.
Big fail cause it's not in a Mac? You will see, in a couple years this will be the "big" thing in Macs and Stevie will randomly turn off all of them randomly. Just for the LULZ, you know.
Yeah it's nice that the dark suit guys now can track your phone and laptop separately, oh and your car too of course, so nice to be under complete control isn't it, this makes the implanted trackers be only a medium-priority development.
He meant to say big brother, and said big bother.
No, I meant to say "big bother". It was intentionally misspelled to indicate that the culture of of limited privacy which is being encouraged by these developments puts a strain on normal people worried about the level to which they are being watched over.
Sorry if that was implied.
What happens when I leave my phone behind at happy hour and some jackass disables my laptop?
Text it again from another phone to re-enable it, get your network operator to disable your phone, then stop being a douche leaving your tech places it can be stolen.
I guess.
They probably wouldn't know about it, most peoples first thoughts are not ones such as these when they find a phone. But yeah what he said....stop being a douche.
Well thats me told then :)
With all the great modders of the world I can see the "find and destroy" function of these laptops easily disabled.....
I do indeed think you may be right - It seems that for the n number of people trying to secure devices (be it Laptops, cars, iPhone root access whatever), there are always n^10 people trying to break it - Like so many security systems it will probably be ample to stop the laptop being used by casual thieves at first, but as soon as it becomes mainstream then I would imagine it would be as good as useless - I hope I'm proven wrong!
This seems like an overcomplicated solution to an undercomplicated problem--considering all the existing RF technology on the market.
Why not simply employ a similar concept to push-button car starters? The user would keep a special key fob in their pocket. If that individual then moves more than a certain distance from their laptop, it goes into hibernation and will not unlock until they are back in range.
I didn't read the article thoroughly but in order for either idea to be practical I'm hoping that there is some kind of disk encryption as well. Seems like a lot of trouble to go to if someone can just pop out your hard drive and plug it into another computer.
Good point, but if this security is geared towards irresponsible people, don't you think they'd loose that key-FOB? A finger print scanner would be more effective, no? Still, I like the idea of being able to locate the laptop remotely (which you wouldn't be able to do without this aircard solution). At least it gives clumsy fools like me a fighting chance at actually getting our stolen laptops back.
Please correct me if I'm wrong, but anyone with data protect uses either software or hardware level encryption, which on a user level works great - as long as the data isn't unlocked so to speak when the laptop is stolen then fine - a thief may have a laptop but the data is fine. Unless it is blindingly obvious to someone swiping a laptop/laptop bag/briefcase/whatever that the laptop is going to be a doorstop, surely its as good as gone anyway?
I have to agree with your assessment of the situation but must interject a very important point about the consumer world and mindset thereof. Most people will pay for a product they feel will make them secure regardless of whether logic dictates otherwise. We're a market based on impulse buys and clever marketing tactics. Companies like Ericsson understand and exploit this. And...I don't blame them.
You and I both know that hard disk encryption is probably the best, cheapest, and most practical way to go. You and I also know that no security on Earth trumps one simple word: responsibility.
Since people who buy this stuff are neither practical nor willing to take any form of responsibility for their lives, it's best to try and sell them the most cost effective solutions (from a manufacturer standpoint) possible--hence my previous comment about making this system a bit less complex.
Hmm I think you may well be right there - I can see some smarmy Dell advert harping on about how no-one will ever be able to touch your laptop in a million years with this. On a practical level laptop ends up in dumpster rather than on ebay.
All your laptop are belong to us!
I just want near-realtime updates on where my laptop is.
So I don't have to go all college professor on people.
I will, of course, be going "Heisenberg" on the asses of whoever has my stolen laptop.
1. Steal Laptop
2. Take Out The Battery.
3. Remove Sim Card or HSPA Module..
4. If all above fails... change the HD and put a new OS on it..
5. Sell On Ebay
Simples yes hahah
eBay!? Man, what ever happened to pawn shops. Friggin criminals are lazy nowadays.
This isn't (just) for consumers to stop thieves from using their stolen notebooks.
This is for Carriers (AT&T, Verizon, etc.) to shut off your 3G subsidized notebook if you decide to stop paying the 2 year plan early. Not just your 3G service, but your entire notebook.
yeah.!