Category: Samsung

Photo by Joe WilcoxSep 8, 20269:54 pm

Star Trek Turns 60

OOn Sept. 8, 1966, Star Trek debuted on the NBC network in living color. The first episode that aired, “The Mantrap”, was the fifth shot. While the story, about a salt vampire, is rarely cited as one of the better episodes, I find it to be quite engaging. I wouldn’t get to watch Star Trek until early 1967 when accidentally stumbling upon “Where No Man Has Gone Before” (the second pilot, which sold the series), airing on the CBC station located in St. Johns, New Brunswick, Canada.

During my youth, local TV station WAGM, in Presque Isle, Maine, had the unique distinction of being three network affiliates: ABC, CBS, and NBC. WAGM was the only American broadcast TV station serving Maine’s largest, but sparsely populated, county, Aroostook, which spans about one-fifth of the state. WAGM didn’t air Star Trek; the program director chose a show from another network.

Photo by Joe WilcoxSep 6, 20269:41 pm

The Cats of University Heights: Choppy

On Sept. 4, 2026, I stopped to chat with one of my neighbors as she walked her dog on leash and pushed a mesh carrier carrying a cat. Choppy is his given name.

I used Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra to capture the Featured Image. Vitals: f/1.4, ISO 25, 1/359 sec, 23mm; 6:47 p.m. PDT,

Photo by Joe WilcoxSep 3, 202610:17 pm

The Cats of University Heights: Gingersnap

This cat is where it needs to be: indoors. Two phenomena are playing out across Nextdoor this year: The overwhelming increase in missing cat posts and, similarly, the number of coyote sightings. Interestingly, this cottage […]

Photo by Joe WilcoxAug 8, 202610:04 pm

The Gathering

Who knew that Mango, one of the “Cats of University Heights“, was so popular? He speaks—eh, meows—to a captive audience on International Cat Day. His new political party, the Gingers—not to be confused with the Green Party—promises free Kibble for all.

The Featured Image is obviously fake, something slapped together using Galaxy AI on the S26 Ultra to celebrate the real feline holiday. The concoction began with a photo taken by me. I instructed the AI tool to place the cat on the green of the Washington Mall. Secondly, to put a podium in front of him. Finally, to add 1,000 cats.

Photo by Joe WilcoxJul 24, 202610:33 pm

San Diego Comic-Con 2026 Day One

For my sojourn to the country’s premiere pop-culture event, I returned following a nine-year hiatus—and not by choice. Every attempt to secure passes failed until finally I had opportunity to buy two—for Thursday and Sunday—during Open Registration, November 2025. SDCC runs for four full days plus the Preview Night. As I write, Day Two wraps up at San Diego Convention Center.

I had considered several options for documenting the event, including video interviews. That was a strategy more workable for full event attendance. I chose instead to keep things simple and shoot photos. My SDCC EDC: Nikon Zf and NIKKOR Z 40mm f/2 lens; Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra.

Photo by Joe WilcoxJul 23, 20269:50 pm

Return to Comic-Con

What surprises me about San Diego Comic-Con is how little—and yet how much—has changed since my last attendance for a single day in 2017. Virtually every venue was where I remember: Disability services in area A. Major celebrity panels in Ballroom 20 and Hall H. Layout of the exhibitor floor, with artists at the end nearest Hall H and smaller seller booths and gameplay nearer to area A. Everything in the middle, from big Hollywood studios to booksellers, all where they have been previously.

The same can be said for the upstairs pavilion and meeting rooms. In the Mezzanine, nothing really changed. Board games are in the same meeting rooms, and the Medieval fighters gather and joust where they always have, for example.

Photo by Joe WilcoxJul 22, 20269:15 pm

Bring Your Own Mutt

I see plenty of self-serve car washes around San Diego. But a place to scrub your dog, in the open-air and just off the street? Who could imagine such a thing? Obviously, its owners for sure. Turns out there are four locations. I passed by the one in North Park on July 19, 2026.

“Each wash includes warm water, professional shampoo and conditioner, flea rinse treatment, and a powerful dog dryer—all for just $16”, according to the company’s website. You provide the muscle and put in the sweat equity.

Photo by Joe WilcoxJul 15, 20269:27 pm

The Trekkers

Fourteen years ago today, San Diego Comic-Con wrapped up for another annual gathering. Sunday is my favorite day of the entire event. Locals, particularly families, dominate attendance. Most of the Hollywood crowd has left the building, so to speak.

But pulp media presence is full-force present by way of brands. Star Trek is one of the biggest, considerably more so currently than 2012. One booth used to sell authentic sci-fi uniforms from several prominent TV series—I’m partial to those from Battlestar Galactica, thank-you. Star Trek was among them, but Anovos, the company producing the uniforms, no longer exists.

Photo by Joe WilcoxJul 14, 20268:35 pm

Day Three Crowd, Comic-Con 2012

Saturday at San Diego Comic-Con is by far the busiest day and most jam-packed, whether measured by attendance size or number of panels featuring actors, content creators, showrunners, and more.

Fourteen years ago today, a throng of people pushed past the G4 booth—as you can see from the Featured Image. Vitals: f/2.8, ISO 125, 1/17 sec, 3.4mm; 1:43 p.m. PDT.

Photo by Joe WilcoxJul 13, 20269:52 pm

Stormtrooper in a Kilt

Ho-ho, the on-this-date review from San Diego Comic-Con continues—reaching back to July 13, 2012. My attendance started in 2009, although I had a press pass for 2008—about nine months after the Wilcox family moved to Southern California. My return for two days next week will be my first appearance since 2017.

The Featured Image is intriguing for a couple of reasons. The kilt is obvious. You can see that. You have to wonder what impression a brigade of like-adorned stormtroopers would make. Would rebel forces laugh and not take their adversaries seriously enough, ending up even more dead?

Photo by Joe WilcoxJul 3, 202610:33 pm

A Tragic Scene

The text message appeared at 6:29 p.m. PDT: “Crash at Florida and Monroe! Don’t know the scoop!” I responded to my good friend and neighbor: “I better go look!!” She owns kitties Guido and Little, who have appeared in my “Cats of University Heights” series.

Approaching the scene, I expected to see a couple of shattered and smashed cars in the intersection. As you can see from the Featured Image and companions, I came upon something more somber, and unsettling.

Photo by Joe WilcoxJun 30, 202610:00 am

MacBook Neo: Sadly Underpowered, Easily Overwhelmed

If you are an iPhone and/or iPad owner who has pined for a somewhat affordable Mac, if you aren’t rushed and don’t mind waiting, and if you are bestowed with Herculean patience, then Apple MacBook Neo is for you. If you don’t mind paying $100 more than you would have five days ago, by all means partake the forbidden fruit.

For the record, other than anyone fitting the above criteria—or perhaps someone wanting to be one of the cool kids—I don’t recommend MacBook Neo for almost anyone who does more than surf the web or check email. Lag is the best term to describes how the Neo feels in real world usage. Performance reminds me of early Chromebooks, other than Google’s own Pixel series, and also Netbooks. Remember those?