
Scientists have created a computer program that allows laptops to cry out for help if they have been stolen. The program, called Retriever, is the brainchild of a US company and gives users the chance to send personal voice messages to let thieves know exactly what they think of them.
A previous version of the software package allowed users to display banner messages on the machine by going to a website and checking a box indicating that the computer is missing. This meant that when a thief attempted to use the laptop they were greeted with a ’stolen screen’ - a red or yellow ‘lost or stolen’ banner which pops up on the screen.
Messages can be set to reappear at 30-second intervals, no matter how many times the thief closes the laptop. In the new ‘talk update’ version of Retriever, when the ’stolen screen’ appears, the laptop can now additionally play out a voice message recorded by users.
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