'Kill Switch' coming to Google, Microsoft phones

Google and Microsoft will include a so-called kill switch in the next version of their smartphone operating systems, authorities announced. The technology allows for a stolen Google Android and Microsoft Windows Phone-powered Nokia device to be disabled, making it useless to the thief.

With Google and Microsoft on board, kill switches will be available for 97% of the smartphone market, said New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, who made the announcement.