Tag: teampixel

Photo by Joe WilcoxMar 9, 202610:17 pm

I skewer Samsung’s Smartphone Flagship

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra arrived this morning, about two days ahead of official availability. Already, a few design decisions rile me, and they could possibly be dealbreakers. Hopefully, they won’t be.

In my September 2014 analysis “In Good Design, Balance of Benefits is Everything“, I explain the importance of features, and the benefits they deliver, working well together without detracting from one another nor diminishing a device’s most fundamentally essential functions. If, for example, the new thingy takes away battery longevity—and that’s a customer priority—the digital device is unbalanced.

Photo by Joe WilcoxMar 5, 20268:43 pm

Night Sight Street Test

I don’t showcase Google Pixel 10 Pro XL often enough. That demands remedy. So, tonight, I took the smartphone out onto one of the streets here in my San Diego neighborhood of University Heights for a quick go: Four shots of various compositions, and the first is the Featured Image. One capture could have been enough.

Vitals: f/1.7, ISO 34, 1/13 sec, 24mm (film equivalent); 8:01 p.m. PST. I had to hold the phone high over my head (look at the shadow), which risked camera shake blur. But the photo—automatically captured in Night Sight mode—is sharp enough.

Photo by Joe WilcoxFeb 9, 20269:36 pm

The Cats of University Heights: Berry

This is one of two kitties seen sunning behind vented screens along Meade (cross-street withheld). You’ll have to wait for a better portrait before the other joins the series. Nickname, for no particular reason: Berry.

I don’t recall the number of furballs featured from the street, but it’s only a handful. To name a few: Amanda; Chipper; Dragon; Honey Bunny; Mittens; Ninja; Pee-Pee; Siamese; Tink; and Vivienne.

Photo by Joe WilcoxFeb 1, 20269:53 pm

The Cats of University Heights: Chestnut

The owner of Bruce either spotted him or his doppelgänger the other night. He vanished over Memorial Day weekend 2023, and she and others have sought him since. He was an extremely popular cat, who was best known for his quirky personality, bowties, and walks with his caretaker and her dog.

Could Bruce really be alive and living a few blocks from his home territory? The supposed sighting occurred on historically-designated Shirley Ann Place—a street I loathe and generally avoid. There is a perpetual cultural/political war over there that manifests in the signage and other yard accouterments. As such, the street has a negative vibe. I see it, feel it, and am repulsed by it.

Photo by Joe WilcoxJan 20, 20269:07 pm

Consultant @Work

After a nearly two-year delay, I present the last unopened Android Collectible in the @Work series: Teacher / Counselor / Consultant. Why not sooner? I looked for something in the news that seemed appropriate for presenting the droid. But nothing piqued my sense of story. So, we advance without one.

Closest thing would be a conversation yesterday, with someone I can’t reveal from a non-profit I can’t identify because the conversation wasn’t meant for public disclosure. However, I can say this: A consultant brought on to take the role of a fired employee wants to make big changes, including outsourcing significant customer service operations overseas. For this organization, that’s an abominably stupid suggestion, or even official recommendation, to make. Fire the bum.

Photo by Joe WilcoxJan 11, 20269:14 pm

The Cats of University Heights: Brier

My wife spotted this shorthair crossing Georgia street, as we walked on Dec. 14, 2025. Normally, I would have nabbed a full body shot. But instead of Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, I carried Pixel 10 Pro XL, for which I am less familiar. Yeah, I bungled getting the camera ready fast enough, and the cat settled behind shrubs.

Something else: I couldn’t see the screen so well in the blinding sunlight while wearing sunglasses. That’s strange, since the Google screen has greater peak brightness but lacks reflective coating that makes the Samsung smartphone shine outside.

Photo by Joe WilcoxJan 10, 202610:12 pm

December Dusk

My wife entered full flu today, while mine continues marginally diminished. Friends popped up everywhere wanting to help. One special friend sent lemon soup via Uber Eats; we wouldn’t let her come by to prevent viral exposure. At a distance another friend dropped by a walnut cake with cute cats card inside. Bianca and Jennifer, we are humbled and grateful.

That brief introduction brings us to another quick and easy Featured Image—once again from Pixel 10 Pro XL. Annie pointed out the incredible setting-sun sky on Dec. 29, 2025. I chose the Google smartphone over Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra because it more accurately renders colors—and without oversaturating them. Vitals: f1.7, ISO 32, 1/120 sec, 24mm (film equivalent), 5:09 p.m. PST.

Photo by Joe WilcoxJan 8, 20268:42 pm

Shadow Selfie and Friend

Last night’s post is a testament to perseverance. Some variety of virus overwhelmed my immune system. Sick is an understatement—and for the first time since Christmas 2017. Today, I slept in three hours until 7:30 a.m. PST and conked out for several hours this afternoon.

Sleep sure is therapeutic. I feel better this evening, although far from normal state. I don’t take cold medicine or pain killers, choosing to let the body’s defensive mechanisms work without interference. Besides, if over-the-counter anything makes you feel better when not, the tendency is to do too much when the body needs you to slow down and rest.

Photo by Joe WilcoxJan 6, 202610:08 pm

Funny Bunny

You are looking at my first purchase from Etsy, and I am surprised that we still have it. I ordered the “Amigurumi Flowery pink bunny rabbit with matching bag” for our daughter on July 27, 2006. Yep, that’s 20 years ago this summer. Pricey but handmade: $28 before shipping fee.

I don’t shop Etsy often, but it’s my go-to when looking for hand-crafted, hard-to-find, or specialty items. I am impressed with any of the early dot-com e-shops that survived all matter of doom—from economic calamities to mismanagement to pandemic shutdowns. May Etsy continue to be a survivor.

Photo by Joe WilcoxDec 5, 202510:06 pm

The (Honorary) Cats of University Heights: Swarthy

Not every first photo is a winner. This one is more of a loser but nevertheless is worthy enough to be the Featured Image. The companion capture is much better, albeit still somewhat lacking. Both pics come from Pixel 10 Pro XL, which replaces the still functional and charming Pixel 2 XL. But, alas, Google stopped supporting the smartphone at Android 11 (current version is 16).

For today’s morning walk, I left behind Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra for chance to get a first shot with the Pixel. Opportunity presented on Arizona Street, which is one block beyond the neighborhood boundary. Hence, the honorary designation. My wife spotted the blackie that paid little attention to us as it stalked birdies.

Photo by Joe WilcoxDec 4, 20259:19 pm

Well, Hello, Google Pixel 10 Pro XL

FedEx delivered quite the prize yesterday afternoon: a phone I have long contemplated trying out. As you can see from the Featured Image: Google Pixel 10 Pro XL. Testing starts tomorrow; I dedicated today to setup.

By the way, manufacturers and retailers are offering some surprising enticing deals on the device, for the holidays—and most expire soon. Full selling price is $1,199 for the 256GB variant. Best Buy and Google currently discount to $899 and Amazon to $849. AT&T and Verizon claim $0 per month, based on bill credits spread out over three years. But there are conditions, like trade-in device, new line of service, or correct rate plan. What’s that saying? If it’s too good to be true…

Photo by Joe WilcoxDec 21, 202310:13 pm

When Did You Last Go to the Movies?

I can’t remember. SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus 2)/COVID-19 lockdowns pretty much squashed my movie-going, coupled with too-high ticket pricing. The theatre is pretty much always better than streaming at home, so to be clear: couch-potatoing isn’t my reason for abandoning an afternoon show.

I used Google Pixel 3 XL to capture the Featured Image five years ago today: Dec. 21, 2018. Vitals: f/1.8, ISO 70, 1/50 sec, 28mm (film equivalent); 12:10 p.m. PST; composed as shot. This AMC is located at Westfield Plaza Bonita in National City, Calif.