HTC One A9 Review

So you bought iPhone 6. You love the understated styling of the aluminum enclosure and how the device feels in your hands. But iOS is a dog brain. It’s loyal and friendly, but you want more than a tail-wagger that needs to be let out to pee. HTC has your back, with the shockingly similar-looking One A9. The imitator gives you close-enough design benefits with the extra bang of the freshest Android (Marshmallow).

Over the Black-Friday-to-Cyber-Monday weekend, one in ten A9 buyers moved up from iPhone 6 or 6s series devices, according to HTC. The manufacturer has a holiday special ending Jan. 7, 2016 that allures some switchers. Trade-in one of the Apples for full discount off the A9’s purchase price (HTC mails a $499.99 check after receiving the old device). Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge traders get $200 and LG3 and LG4 owners $100.

Photo by Joe WilcoxDec 7, 20151:59 pm

Flickr a Day 341: ‘Lost in Thought, Lost in Prayers’

Our selection comes at a time of great turmoil for Muslims and other peoples who interact with them because of terrorist attacks against Western nations and conflict with the Islamic State in Syria. The Day […]

Photo by Joe WilcoxDec 6, 20152:49 pm

Flickr a Day 340: ‘Romantic Krakow’

Vivid is how I describe the street photography of Matthias Ripp. His art exudes a rich, contrasty quality that is natural; what the eye sees. Today’s selection, as do many others, feels like film. The Regensburg, […]

Photo by Joe WilcoxDec 6, 201511:04 am

U.S. Capitol as I Remember It

I lived in the Washington, D.C. area for more than two decades before moving to San Diego eight years ago. Particularly as the presidential election approaches, my pining for the city increases. Crazy is the […]

Photo by Joe WilcoxDec 5, 20157:10 am

Flickr a Day 339: ‘Faith’

In cinema, they talk of the “jump cut”, when scenes switch abruptly without segue between them. The photographic style of Jenny Downing cuts away elements that other shooters might include. What’s missing defines what is, […]

Photo by Joe WilcoxDec 4, 20152:18 pm

Flickr a Day 338: ‘Jade, Asheville, 2015’

More than 11 months into this series, and no nude has been featured—until today. The category offends some people, despite the beauty of the human form being subject of so much photographic art. Feliz Paloma Gonzalez almost exclusively shoots scantily clothed women, if they wear anything at all. His work is more tasteful than erotic; sensual but respectful. I picked today’s pic largely because of the eyes—and the expression the swabs of sunlight reveal behind them and in her facial expression.

“Feliz Paloma Gonzalez is a pseudonym I use, because not everyone has an open mind”, he says. “I have had to accept that and make compromises accordingly. Feliz Paloma is the name I would have been given had I been female, so the story goes”.

Gear by Joe WilcoxDec 4, 20152:17 pm

Am I Colorblind, or is This Tablet White?

I snagged a Nexus 9 over the Black Friday weekend for my wife in white to complement my sand model (so we can tell them apart). Look at the photo; if that’s white, there is […]

Photo by Joe WilcoxDec 3, 20157:22 am

Flickr a Day 337: ‘Halsey”

The portrait of singer Halsey isn’t the first musical selection of the series, but it is likely last. See Days 8, 16, 85, 100, 167, 178, 235, 276, 298, 315. DeShaun Craddock captured the moment on Sept. 6, 2015, using Nikon D750 and 70-200mm f/2.8 lens. […]

Photo by Joe WilcoxDec 2, 20157:18 am

Flickr a Day 336: ‘Boat’

American-born actor turned Chinese movie star, Jonathan Kos-Read is our story of the day. “I play white guys in Chinese movies”, he says—and television shows, too. Going by Cao Cao on the mainland, the Los Angeles native relocated in the late 1990s to teach English. With a flare for acting and ability to convincingly speak Mandarin, Jonathan started an unlikely career in Asian cinema. Financial Times profiled Cao Cao in January of this year as did National Public Radio in February 2011.

Jonathan is a pretty good photographer, too. “I shoot actresses and actors on our sets”, he says. “Between films, to relax, I shoot friends, models, and street photography. I never shoot for money. Acting is an artistic job. I betray it for a paycheck. So I keep this part of my artistic life pure”. His LensCulture interview is an insightful look into his photographic lifestyle.

Apple by Joe WilcoxDec 1, 201510:30 am

Microsoft Makes ‘Peace’ with Apple

Advertising rarely gets as good this! Microsoft sets the mood for the season in a new spot where its New York store staffers serenade Apple specialists for “peace on Earth”. A children’s choir joins the caroling, creating a classic! This is award-winning advertising in the making. Filming at night adds terrific ambiance, topped off with Apple 5th Avenue Store employees embracing their Microsoft retail rivals.

If Microsoft is the British Empire, then Apple is the American era. Oftentimes, the mighty are arrogant and condensing about their dominance, and it’s rare that they sue rivals for peace—from a position of dominance. The humbled fallen must adopt new tactics in the New World order. For Microsoft, that means cooperation. If nothing else, the commercial is a metaphor for the new Microsoft.

Photo by Joe WilcoxDec 1, 20156:36 am

Flickr a Day 335: Superimposed

Film shooter Julien Chambon starts the first day of the last month in this series. Thirty more to go, and it’s a wrap. Maintaining the schedule is more challenging than expected, and I can’t always […]

Mobility by Joe WilcoxNov 30, 201511:30 am

OK, Google, Where Is Pixel C?

Black Friday is behind us, Cyber Monday is here, and Christmas shipping new purchases cuts off in about three weeks. Which makes me wonder: Where is Google’s new tablet? When announced at the end of September, Google product director Andrew Bowers said that the “Pixel C will be available in time for the holidays on the Google Store”. Eh, yeah—by whose measure is “in time”. The information giant typically sells out of new gear, which leaves little time to manage inventory. “Out of stock” notices will disappoint many shoppers, who may buy something else.

I watched for this baby to drop before Thanksgiving, particularly with Apple iPad Pro already available—three weeks now. Granted, the devices target different markets, if for no other reason than size (12.9 and 10.2 inches, respectively). But each is innovative and stylish and would make great presents for someone. I’m ready to buy, Google. As surely are many Android fanboys.I reached out to the PR staff there today and was told to “stay tuned”, which could be interpreted as soon. We shall see, eh?