Lawmakers in California are so intent on curbing record levels
of smartphone theft, they're ready to fine phone makers if anti-
theft measures aren't installed on their devices. The New York
Times reports that the order will come from State Senator Mark
Leno, who is set to introduce a new bill requiring all
smartphones and tablets sold in the state to include a "kill
switch" solution that would lock down a device if it was stolen.
Ignore the ruling and there's a $2,500 fine for each device
sold.  San Francisco and New York prosecutors George Gascón and
Eric Schneiderman set the ball rolling when they met with
representatives from Apple, Google, Samsung and Microsoft last
year. Apple has since won praise for including its Activation
Lock feature by default in iOS 7, requiring device owners to set
a passcode that stops thieves reactivating a stolen phone (but
could be unlocked with a username and password). While it would
only officially cover California, the new law could force phone
makers into a full US rollo