>> The researchers also created a smartphone app that can control the unit wirelessly and report real-time data on power consumption and water salinity. > No n

>> The researchers also created a smartphone app that can control the unit wirelessly and report real-time data on power consumption and water salinity. > No no no no. I was all onboard with this seemingly wonderful product until I hit that line. The things that provide fresh water, that actually enable life functions, should NEVER involve controller aps. Switches. Dials. Positive on/off switches. Maybe the occasional touchscreen. But please do not put the need for a working/charged/connected cellphone between the user and their source of fresh water. You are objecting to a strawman of your own creation. Before you hit that line, you read “The technology is packaged into a user-friendly device that runs with the push of one button.” and “The researchers designed the device for nonexperts, with just one button to launch the automatic desalination and purification process.” And then comes the line that triggered your reaction: “The researchers also created a smartphone app that can control the unit wirelessly and report real-time data on power consumption and water salinity.” The key word is “can”. “Can control”, “can report”. So you have the simplest possible device: press a button on the device, extract drinkable water. You want status updates / remote control? Use the app, which is optional; nowhere in the article it is stated that the app is necessary. So you might reconsider your stance and get back onboard with the product.