New service will allows users to disable a lost or stolen 3G notebook by sending it an SMS message.

From early next year, Lenovo’s new Constant Secure Remote Disable service will allow owners of the latest ThinkPads to shut down their system by sending it a special SMS message from your mobile phone. Once the laptop shuts down, the self-encrypting hard drive will scramble the data.

Up to 10 mobile numbers can be associated with a single notebook, and the content of the SMS itself must registered with the service so that the laptop will shut down only on receipt of that specific message (which could be anything from a simple ‘SHUT DOWN’ to ‘Klaatu barada nikto’ if you’re a fan of classic sci-fi movies like The Day The Earth Stood Still  (oh, and if you’re nerdy enough to remember how to spell it correctly!). You’ll get an automated SMS reply to confirm the notebook has gone into lock-down mode

http://apcmag.com/lenovo_creates_sms_kill_pill_for_thinkpads.htm

comment: sounds like an idea for new media art…