Karen Challinor

UK

staring at clouds

They don't like people to know this but it's actually satellite relay delay.

You see each one of these devices contains a small dual-function microchip that has been carefully disguised to function not only like its brethren but look like them too, so it can't be easily located and removed.

It's secondary function is to communicate via satellite with the company holding the warranty and, once this has expired, wait a random number of seconds, usually no longer than a week, and then cause the device to become inoperative.

It's an improvement on the old clockwork devices that used to be in electronic devices like TVs and has the advantage that it can be miniaturised to fit in really small electronic items. Plus these can be reset - on production of large bundles of cash by the owner - by factory engineers without having to open the case.

So now you know. Just keep it to yourself.