Who really owns your phone?

Ownership isn’t a clear concept when it comes to a smartphone.

Phones are no longer just a thing you use to call people or text them. The days of playing Snake because it’s the coolest thing your phone can do are long past. Today, they’re more like your computer that they are the Nokias and Motorolas of the past. Because they are computers, software licensing starts to matter more.

I’ve been thinking about this since the Note 7 started getting forced updates to disable the things that make people want to keep it. A company you didn’t actually buy your phone from reaching in with slinky OTA updates to take away things you paid for is a pretty bold thing to do. Granted, in Samsung’s opinion, they need to do everything they can do to get every Note 7 sent back for whatever recycling project they have set up. For them, this is 50% a safety issue and 50% a public relations let’s-get-people-to-forget-it-ever-existed issue. But for you, it’s someone else taking things away.

Samsung details the Note 7 safety issues

And there’s not much we can do about it. Forget about the Note 7 for a minute. Any phone — your S7 edge or HTC 10 or anything else — that has Android (and iOS and any other operating system still hanging on) is subject to the rules of the software license you agreed to. And in case you’ve never looked at them, you need to know that software licenses suck.

Samsung had a good reason to alter the software in the Note 7, but they didn’t have to have one.

It doesn’t spell it out, but the thing you probably didn’t read when you set up your phone says that you don’t own the software on it, you didn’t buy it and you only get to use it because they people who did create it are letting you. And that they have the rights to change stuff. And that you can’t do much about it at all. The plastic and glass and metal that are used to make the thing are yours once you’ve paid for it in full, but anything that happens after you turn it on isn’t.

This is why Samsung can send an update that makes your phone stop working. They have a program in place so that you can get a refund — they don’t expect to get anything back without paying us back the money we spent — and they want your Note 7 back in their hands.

It’s also why they could send out an update that makes Knox bark at you if you tamper with the bootloader on some of their phones. Or HTC was able to add carrier spyware to any phone they wanted to with an update. Or Google could send an update that makes Android not only very bright and with circular icons, but it could also have glowing pink accents if they wanted it to. You still have a phone that works in accordance with the license you agreed to when you first used it.

Thankfully, the people who make the phones and write the software aren’t crazy and want us to like their products. The Note 7 probably needed to be wrecked in order to get more people to turn them in. Samsung needed to address Knox so people who need Knox could tell that something tried to mess with their phone. Sending patches to make bootloaders super-encrypted and booby trapped is 100% a security measure. And any Android update that included glowing pink neon menu highlights would go out so slowly none of us would ever get it on the phones we paid for now. We’re Gucci and don’t have to worry about it.

But I like to think in what-ifs. What if the people who make our phone decided that they just wanted to drastically change things in ways that we think are bad? Some phones can be unlocked and modified with a different operating system but the software you use to start up the hardware and load that operating system is software you can’t change and you don’t have control over. That’s “legal” because we’re allowed to jailbreak and root and unlock our phones if we can. But that doesn’t change who really controls the software you can’t get rid of. Someone else decides how you get to use that software, and if you use it in a way they don’t approve of you lose your license for it.

The people who made your phone want you to like it and aren’t going to try and change that.

No phone police are going to come and snatch away your Android because someone doesn’t like the way you use the software. I’m pretty sure most companies don’t even care how we use the software on our phones because they are too busy working on the next model. But they still own all the software and only let us use it.

When/if Samsung has to turn it up to 11 and do something more to the Note 7, remember that there isn’t anything we can do about it except try and block it from installing1. They are acting in good faith to serve your best interests and theirs. We don’t know if this is going to happen or if Samsung will decide they have done everything they could. But we do know that it’s all up to them because you own the screen and the S Pen and all the rest of the parts, but they own the software that makes those parts do anything.

1To be clear, we think you should send your Note 7 back to Samsung instead of trying to block any updates intended to cripple it.

Trak’s at-home sperm tracker is a surprisingly good idea

Sitting in a fertility clinic is a nerve-racking experience, and it can get even more awkward for men when they’re put on the spot to produce semen samples. Fortunately for them, a new device that started shipping earlier this month can help make part of that process easier and more comfortable. It’s a $200 system called Trak that not only lets you measure your sperm count in the privacy of your own home, but also teaches you how to improve your reproductive health.

To be clear, Trak isn’t meant to replace a visit to the fertility clinic or a talk with your doctor. But it offers some advantages in addition to the obvious benefits of convenience, comfort and privacy. These include time saved trying to pinpoint the cause of reproductive troubles, and the ability to monitor and learn how to improve your sperm count.

Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt, co-director of the Pur Clinic, specializes in male fertility and has been speaking with reporters on behalf of Trak’s makers, Sandstone Diagnostics, to explain the device’s benefits. He told Engadget that with every patient, one of the first things he checks is sperm count. If a patient has already tested his own levels and can eliminate that as the cause, it can cut up to three months from the process of figuring out what is causing a couple’s reproductive woes, said Dr. Brahmbhatt.

That advantage isn’t unique to Trak — you can already study your sperm count at home with other devices. Yo, a microscope attachment for smartphones that was launched earlier this month, also lets men monitor their sperm levels at home. But Yo uses your phone’s camera to take a video clip and then applies an algorithm to the clip to count sperm. That seems like a less accurate method compared with Trak’s centrifugal separation technique, which is unique for the consumer space. Plus, as Dr. Brahmbhatt so aptly put it, “You don’t want your phone touching sperm.”

“You don’t want your phone touching sperm.”

Another reason Trak stands out is the way it displays your results. Instead of showing a binary output, like “Good” or “Bad,” this system is, according to the company, the first FDA-cleared device that will classify sperm counts as Low, Moderate or Optimal. Scores are represented like thermometer readings: Your rating is the corresponding mark where your fluid reaches. Those ranges are based on World Health Organization guidelines and some clinical studies.

Before we get too far ahead of ourselves, here’s how Trak works. The kit consists of a small centrifuge and four testing sets, each including a collection cup, a dropper, a stick that the company calls a prop, and two seals. As you would before going to visit a fertility doctor, you have to abstain from ejaculating for two days before checking your sperm. When you’re ready, deposit your semen into one of the provided cups, swirl the sample around a little, then let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes. This lets the sample completely liquefy. Once the time is up, swirl the cup again, then place a single drop of semen in the hole in the center of the prop, and stick the seal over the opening. Then place the prop on the centrifuge, making sure it’s securely attached, and close the lid. If the prop is properly connected, the centrifuge will automatically start spinning.

You’ll have to wait six minutes for the device to stop, at which point you’ll see your results at the bottom of the prop. As I mentioned before, you’ll get a result of Low, Moderate or Optimal, and you’ll have to log these into the companion app manually. But here’s where Trak’s biggest benefit lies.

When you first set up the app, you’ll have to answer a series of questions about your lifestyle. These concern factors that influence sperm production, including diet, exercise, sleep and use of toxic substances like tobacco or marijuana. The app analyzes your answers and gives you a score, and you can do this without entering in your sperm test result at all. But once you do, you can use the information in the app to see what you should actually be doing to improve your results.

That education is what Dr. Brahmbhatt called Trak’s strength. “It makes a doctor’s job easier,” he said. Of course, apps that teach you how to improve sperm production aren’t new, either. But it’s the combination of Trak’s app and its centrifuge that makes its system unique.

Trak also has the fringe benefit of providing an accurate biological understanding of a man’s health. “Low sperm count is related to other issues,” said Dr. Brahmbhatt. With repeated testing, you can actually see real indicators of whether the changes to your lifestyle are making any improvements to your health. Given how expensive the props are, you’re not likely to rely on this as a way to track your well-being, but it’s a nice extra.

It’s easy to dismiss a device like Trak as ludicrous or unnecessary, but it has real benefits for people troubled by fertility problems that we should not ignore. Although I haven’t tested it and can’t verify whether it’s truly accurate, Trak’s differences from existing at-home sperm trackers and its apparent benefits make it a potentially helpful tool for reproductively challenged couples and individuals.

Raden’s connected carry-on is sleek and smart, but cramped

I don’t think there’s anything more crucial to a frequent traveler’s arsenal than a reliable carry-on, but does it need to be smart too? A cottage industry of connected luggage makers seems to think so. While some companies have focused on packing their bags with components, a startup called Raden is trying to take a more measured approach. That’s where its A22 connected carry-on comes in: It’s a fascinating attempt at melding technological convenience with the simplicity of high-end luggage. So what exactly does $295 get you?

The A22 is a small, sleek thing, devoid of pockets, external compartments or the rugged look of other polycarbonate suitcases. In fact, the first indicator that you’re working with something out of the ordinary is a set of USB ports on the back, directly behind the telescoping handle. They’re connected to a 7,800mAh battery, which frequently came in handy for charging my gadgets at airport gates. That battery is connected to a processor and Bluetooth module inside the bag, which in turn connect to an iOS app. (An Android version is “coming soon,” I’m told.)

If this all sounds basic, that’s because it is — and that’s how the company likes it. Raden CEO Josh Udashkin told me that his team was careful not to overload travelers with connected features, preferring to let the technology act as a “lure” for an otherwise stylish, well-built bag.

Credit where it’s due: Raden did a lovely job putting this bag together. At 8.4 pounds while empty, the A22 is a surprisingly light piece, but just weighty enough that it resists tipping over when you roll it around on its four wheels. What’s more, my test unit came in a handsomely nondescript glossy black, though more colorful options are available for the style-conscious. Fair warning to potential buyers: This finish looks great at first, but don’t expect the luster to last. It doesn’t take long for scratches and scuffs to appear, especially after you’ve taken a few flights where the overhead compartments are full and you have to check the A22 in the cargo hold.

There’s also a built-in scale that sends the case’s weight to the app. So far, it’s been an accurate feature (compared with my trusty old handheld luggage scale, anyway), but it’s less useful in this carry-on model than it is in Raden’s full-size A28 bag. True, airlines are sticklers about their luggage weight limits, and few things are as aggravating as trying to stand a suitcase up on a bathroom scale. Then again, most US airlines don’t have limits on how heavy your carry-on can be; as long as you can hoist it into an overhead compartment, you’re golden. That said, if you’re still feeling paranoid about your carry-on’s weight, the app offers advice about specific airlines’ policies.

The Raden app can also attempt to figure out where your bag is if you’ve lost sight of it. Sounds essential, no? I’d be inclined to agree, except that a few shortcomings keep the system from being as valuable as it promises. Since Raden’s bags don’t have GPS, you’ll only be able to figure out where your missing bag is if another Raden owner nearby comes within range of the bag’s low-energy Bluetooth signal. Basically, the other Raden fan’s phone would’ve noticed the bag and sent time-stamped location information to a server, and eventually, me. Since no one else in my local airport had a Raden, though, I would’ve been out of luck if someone had run off with mine.

Who knows if the brand will ever become popular enough for this feature to actually come in handy. I can’t blame the company for being ambitious, but a more practical solution would have been nice.

The technology in use here isn’t mind-blowing, but it mostly works well. What will really make or break the A22 for most people is the amount of stuff you can squeeze inside it. Personally, I find the 35L/2136 cubic inches of volume too small for trips lasting longer than three days, four at the very most. It doesn’t help that one side of the suitcase is mostly filled with the telescoping handle assembly and the removable battery pack; this leaves little room for thick pants or heavier layers.

And while the four-wheeled spinner design makes for smooth sailing across asphalt or airport linoleum, the fact that the wheels jut out of the bag’s body means less overall storage space. For some, this won’t be a problem. My work trips, on the other hand, typically see me lugging around cameras and computers in addition to clothes, so the smaller A22 doesn’t really fit my lifestyle. Hardcore road warriors might want to seek out something more utilitarian.

By blending a handsome design with a premium production process and some helpful tech, Raden’s first stab at a connected suitcase is pretty great, even if it’s not quite right for me. Here’s hoping the startup has enough momentum to make a second generation possible — there are a lot of good ideas here that could use just a little more polish.

The best of biomimicry: Here’s 7 brilliant examples of nature-inspired design

Sometimes the best solution to a problem isn’t alway the most complex, and, similarly, the best answer isn’t always a new one one. While us humans man just be getting our feet wet (relatively speaking) with ingenuity, the animal kingdom has millennia of evolutionary trial-and-error to learn from.

More: Interactive map shows how animals will flee warming temperatures

Biomimicry, as it’s called, is a method for creating solutions to human challenges by emulating designs and ideas found in nature. It’s used everywhere: buildings, vehicles, and even materials — so we thought it’d be fun to round up a few of the most noteworthy examples. Here are eight of the most astounding technological applications inspired by nature.

Bullet trains inspired by Kingfisher birds

123RF/JoseManuelGelpiDiaz

123RF/Tupungato

When Japanese engineers took on the daunting task of upgrading their high-speed bullet trains their design hit one unfortunate snag. The problem wasn’t getting this trains up to the desired speeds, but rather the massive amount of noise created by the displacement of air ahead of the trains. As the trains entered tunnels, the vehicles would often create a loud shock wave known as “tunnel boom.” The power of the shock waves even caused structural damage to several tunnels.

The design team determined the culprit to be the trains rather blunt front nose cap. To minimize the tunnel boom and increase overall aerodynamics they would need a more streamlined nose. The engineers eventually modeled the next model after the beak of the Kingfisher bird.

Kingfisher birds have specialized beaks allowing them to dive into water to hunt while making a minimal splash. Utilizing this new nose, the next generation 500 series trains were 10 percent faster, consumed 15 percent less electricity, and, most importantly, no more “boom.”

Wind turbines modeled after Humpback whales

123RF/Jostone

WhalePower

Many of our modern aerodynamic designs rely on rather basic principles. To obtain optimal lift and minimal drag, sleek edges and clean lines are key. However, throughout the animal kingdom, many species, capable of exceptional lift. The Humpback whale, for example, uses bumpy, tubercle fins for propulsion — which seems rather counterintuitive.

A Harvard led research team determined that these nodules, enable the whales to choose a steeper “angle of attack.” The angle of attack is the angle between the flow of water and the face of the flipper. With Humpback whales, this attack angle can be up to 40 percent steeper than a smooth flipper. Due to these small ridges, sectional stalls occur at different points along the fin. This makes a full on stall much easier to avoid.

Tests conducted by the U.S. Naval Academy, using model flippers, determined these biomimetic fins reduced drag by nearly a third and improved lift by eight percent overall.  Whale Power, a company based in Toronto, Canada has already capitalized on this latest tubercle tech. According to MIT, Whale Power’s biomimetic blades help generate the “same amount of power at 10 miles per hour that conventional turbines generate at 17 miles per hour.”

Antimicrobial film mimicking sharkskin

123RF/MarcHenauer

123RF/LeonardZhukovsky

Sharks are one of the apex predators of the seas. Their hunting prowess has been fine-tuned over millennia of evolution. While sharks are well known for their acute sense of smell and regenerating teeth, new research may actually point to the species’ skin as its most evolutionary niche asset.

Sharkskin is covered with so-called “dermal denticles.” Think of these as essentially flexible layers of small teeth. When in motion, these dermal denticles actually create a low-pressure zone. This leading edge vortex essentially “pulls” the shark forward and also helps to reduce drag. Needless to say, there are plenty of applications for such a design.

Speedo notoriously incorporated biomimetic sharkskin into a line of swimsuits for the 2008 Olympics. According to the Smithsonian, 98 percent of the medals at the 2008 Olympics were won by swimmers wearing this sharkskin swimwear. Since then the technology has been banned in Olympic competition.

Similarly, while many aquatic species are known to host other marines species on their bodies (such as barnacles) sharks remain relatively “clean” so to speak. These microscopic dermal denticles also help sharks fend-off micro organisms. The U.S. Navy has since developed a material, known as Sharklet, based on this skin pattern to help inhibit marine growth on ships. Based on this same idea, many hospitals are also using a biomimetic sharkskin film to combat cross-contamination.

Sharkskin, so hot right now.

Harvesting water like the Stenocara beetle

It’s really no secret at this juncture: access to water is pivotal to any sustainable civilization and life on this planet in general. While some locations on the globe have bountiful water resources such as lakes and rivers, more arid climates must make do with limited precipitation. Technology derived from a beetle thriving in one of the harshest environments on Earth may very well help start the next generation of clean water harvesting.

The Stenocara beetle lives in the arid African Namib dessert, but the dime-sized critter has an evolutionary hack to help it literally pull water out of literal thin air. A pattern of nodes along the beetle’s back enable the creature to collect moisture from the morning fog. The droplets then slide off the bumps into small channels towards the beetle’s mouth. Academics are currently using this research to develop biomimetic patterns capable of harvesting water from the air.

Absorbing shock like a woodpecker

Woodpeckers are known for their exceptional excavating capacity. The creatures use their beaks to forage for insects and also to create nooks for themselves. As woodpeckers bore these holes, they experience a deceleration of 1200 gravitational pulls (Gs) nearly 22 times per second. To put that in perspective, a severe car crash would deliver the equivalent of 120 Gs on a passenger. Just how does the woodpecker withstand these perpetual jolts?

The answer: natural shock absorbers. Using video and CT scans, researched at the University of California, Berkeley, discovered that woodpeckers have four structures designed to absorb mechanical shock. The bird’s semi-elastic beak, an area of “spongy bone” material behind the skull, and cerebrospinal fluid all work in unison to extend the time over which this concussion occurs and therefore inhibiting vibration. Based on this multifaceted design, the team is working to create an array applications ranging from more shock-resistant flight recorders (black boxes) to micrometeorite-resistant spacecrafts.

Cephalopod camouflage

123RF/Wrangel

123RF/KatarzynaBiałasiewicz

Squids, like all cephalopods, are capable of glowing (bioluminescence) as well as changing their skin color. This camouflaging capacity enables them to hide from predators while the bioluminescence allows them to communicate with and/or attract a mate. This complex behavior is produced by a network specialized skin cells and muscles.

Researchers at the University of Houston have developed a similar device capable of detecting its surrounds and matching this environment in mere seconds. This early prototype uses a flexible, pixelated grid utilizing actuators, light sensors, and reflectors. As the light sensors detect a a change in the surroundings, a signal is sent to the corresponding diode. This creates heat in the area and the thermochromatic grid then changes color. This artificial “skin” could have both military and commercial applications down the road.

Ventilation systems inspired by termites

123RF/WolfgangBerroth

Wikimedia

Eastgate Centre, Harare, Zimbabwe

Oftentimes, biomimicry isn’t simply about mimicking an anatomical or evolutionary niche of a species. Sometimes, we can even take cues from the structures these animals build to create better life support systems for ourselves.

Termites often get a bad rap because of their destructive properties. However, termites are infamous for creating some of the most elaborate ventilation systems for cooling on the planet. Even in some of the hottest places, these termite mounds, remain exceptionally cool inside.

Using an intricate network of intentionally air pockets, the mounds create a natural ventilation system using convection.  The engineering firm Arup built an entire shopping center in Zimbabwe based on this natural convection system. Currently the system uses 10 percent less energy than a traditional air-conditioned facility.