People worried about the security of information on their stolen device can lock or remotely wipe it so that it's rendered useless. One would-be detective even programmed their smartphone to take a photograph at set times, unbeknown to the thief. The candid photos were uploaded onto a social networking site and became an internet sensation overnight, with thousands of people identifying the man who was in possession of the phone.
As long as the user has an app and has GPS enabled on their handset or device, they've got a chance of locating it- although you still may not get it back.
Anti-theft technology is fast becoming an essential feature for phones and tablets, and many companies plan to install it in other popular goods such as digital cameras, televisions – and even cars.
But does this technology really make theft impossible? Perhaps not, but with the potential to have your face plastered across the web, it suddenly becomes much less appealing.
Quiz 測驗 1. What percentage of adults in the UK own a smartphone?
A quarter
2. What word is used to describe electronic devices?
gadgets
3. What phrase describes the technology used to locate a missing phone?
GPS tracking
4. What phrase is used to describe removing content from your phone without being there?
remotely wipe
5. What words describe something extremely popular on the web?
internet sensation
Glossary 词汇表 smartphones智能手機 tablet computers平板電腦 appetite for technology 對技術的（胃口）需求 devices 裝置 software 軟件 gadgets 小器件 anti-theft technology 防盜技術 apps 應用軟件 gps tracking 衛星導航跟蹤 sophisticated 複雜的，高端的 lock 鎖住 remotely wipe 遙控刪除 programmed 程序編入的 uploaded 上傳 social networking site 社交網絡 internet sensation 網上轟動 enabled 使…能夠 handset 手機 feature特點，功能 install 安裝 plastered across the web 被人網上四處張貼
