You can believe Christopher Michel‘s claim that his photos come from “extreme locations like the South Pole, Everest, The Korean DMZ, Papua New Guinea, and at the edge of space”. Eh, yeah. He shot self-titled […]
Author: Joe Wilcox
The Android Army Rises
January 2010. Briefly, my attention turns away from rumors about an Apple tablet (true) and (then) Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer’s Consumer Electronics Show keynote. On this fifth day of the new decade, Google debuts a new smartphone. I see the launch as a watershed event—and order Nexus One for myself. Made by HTC, but codesigned by Google and carrying its brand, the self-described, so-called “superphone” is the stone that later sets off an Android avalanche sweeping across the planet.
Things that matter about the N1:
- Google sells it direct, unlocked, with no contract required
- Voice interaction is as important as, if not more than, touch
- Operating system and core features tightly tie to Google search
- Hardware is a baseline reference design for manufacturing partners
- Platform provides software developers the foundation for making Android apps
Flickr a Day 274: ‘Flying Puffin’
The photostream of Sergii Gulenok is best described as a series of outdoor adventures; this guy really gets around. I spent sometime picking a pic, because my favorite isn’t really representative of his style. But […]
Who Mourns for the Fourth Estate? (Part 2)
June 2009, the future of 21st Century journalism moves with protestors across Iran’s capital. In an area somewhat removed from the commotion, philosophy student Neda Salehi reportedly steps from a car and is soon shot by a sniper. A bystander videos her death and uploads it to YouTube. The moment becomes the rallying point for demonstrators in the country and for spectators from around the globe. It is a seminal moment of change for the news media.
The next night, June 21, I write:
Flickr a Day 273: ‘Anne, Eralda, en Bart’
I have never seen so many pretty people in one photostream. Is everyone in Amsterdam so handsome or just the friends of Merlijn Hoek? I could look through every page just to delight in their […]
Something Surprising about New Nexus
Google packed today’s big annual autumn product launch with loads of news: Nexus 5X and 6P (available for preorder now); Chromecast 2 and Chromecast Audio (for sale today); Google Photo enhancements (rolling out soon); Android 6 “Marshmallow” (arriving on existing Nexus devices next week); and Pixel C tablet (coming sometime before the holidays). Jamming in so much, some things might get overlooked. One seeming tidbit rapped my attention.
Soon after discussing how Marshmallow uses a new permissions scheme for apps, Google veep Dave Burke said: “With the new Nexus devices, we’ve reduced the number of preloaded apps on the phone, to make the out-of-box experience cleaner and simpler. We’ve also developed a new system that moves over a quarter of our apps to a post-setup installation phase, which means they can be uninstalled just like any other apps”. The implications are interesting.
My Apple Music Swan Song
Look what email greeted when I rolled out of bed and in front of the computer this AM (Pacific Time). Apple Music wants my business. That’s not happening. After signing up for the three-month trial, which ends September 30, I returned to using Chromebook Pixel LS and Nexus 6. The streaming service supports neither device, so, yes, I turned off autorenewal.
This brief post is a reminder to you to do likewise, if having signed up you’re not planning to keep the service. Apple Music turns on autorenew by default, so if you want out, don’t wait. Opt out now. On the other hand, if you enjoy the service, do nothing and listen. You’re covered.
Flickr a Day 272: ‘Android Going Travel Vintage’
Google inspires today’s selection. The Alphabet subsidiary is holding a media event presumably to launch the new version of its mobile platform and new Nexus devices. Russian photographer Oleg—his importance implied by no given last […]
Apple Watch vs Huawei Watch
If you are thinking about buying a new iPhone to get Apple Watch, reconsider. Hard. There’s a new Android Wear timepiece that is just as stylish, if not more, but costs much less. If Huawei Watch isn’t the Apple Watch killer, it foreshadows what could be.
For the comparison today, my quick review focuses on the two smartwatches that I purchased, with which materials and attractive designs are most similar (other than their shapes—squairsh vs circular). To reiterate: I paid for both devices. Neither manufacturer sent a loaner for review. The one came from Apple Store and the other from Amazon.
Flickr Day 271: ‘Thelma and Louise’
Professed car and technology enthusiast Kārlis Dambrāns is a photo editor by trade, and it shows in the images he captures or post-processes. He shot self-titled “Thelma and Louise” on Aug. 29, 2015, during the “Retro auto” […]
Flickr a Day 270: ‘Pumpkin Stem’
Bokeh and rich color take the Day in a photo with shallow depth of field and the focus placed just right. Nicholas Erwin shot self-titled “Pumpkin Stem” on Oct. 6, 2014, using Nikon D610 and […]
Huawei Watch First Impressions
WOW. I needn’t write more (but do feel obligated). My smartwatch arrived from Amazon about 10:30 this morning. Reading reviews beforehand spoiled some surprise, but the out-of-box experience nevertheless stunned. The box itself is superbly crafted and booms fine jewelry. If Huawei’s objective is to impress craftsmanship and artistry, goal accomplished.
In January 2004, when working as analyst for Jupiter Research, I wrote about Microsoft and its partners’ early push into the smartwatch market: “A wristwatch is more than just a timepiece. It’s a piece of jewelry. Jewelry is a status symbol, too—think Rolex watches in some circles and body piercings in others, or both”. The tech has to look good, too. This attribute is vital because of precedent. Watches are worn as much for their looks as function, and appearance often matters more.