Notes

Featured image for “Aloft introduces voice activated hotel rooms”

Aloft introduces voice activated hotel rooms

One of the features I love most about my home is the ability to control some of the automation systems using Siri. If I’m in bed and I’ve forgotten to turn the lights off, a quick voice command later and it’s done — no more getting out of bed and stumbling towards the light switch. Aloft, a brand of Starwood

Featured image for “Royal Caribbean completes rollout of the fastest Internet at sea”

Royal Caribbean completes rollout of the fastest Internet at sea

Royal Caribbean have announced that their high speed Internet product “Voom” is now available across their entire fleet of 25 ships. Travellers who have cruised with Royal Caribbean in the past know that the previous connectivity onboard the ships transferred data at a glacial pace that was really only useful for checking emails, sending messages, and so on. Here’s a

Featured image for “Qantas ceases direct Sydney to Hervey Bay services”

Qantas ceases direct Sydney to Hervey Bay services

Qantas subsidiary QantasLink will stop direct flights between Sydney to Hervey Bay from August 7th this year. Twice weekly return services commenced two years ago on both Saturday and Sunday. Originally operating with a Boeing 717 aircraft, the Saturday service was eventually downgraded to a Dash 8 Q400. Qantas is citing a lack of passenger demand as the reason for

Featured image for “Uber launches scheduled rides”

Uber launches scheduled rides

As a regular user of Uber, I find that one of the biggest downsides is that I still need to find and maintain relationships with drivers when I want the knowledge that someone will be ready and waiting for me when I really need a car — typically on those trips to and from the airport. For that reason I’m

Featured image for “Google Home – a device to take on Amazon’s Echo?”

Google Home – a device to take on Amazon’s Echo?

At the recent I/O conference, Google unveiled Google Home — a “voice-activated home product that allows you and your family to get answers from Google, stream music, and manage everyday tasks.”. Google Home is a small speaker that’s always listening. It’ll play your music, answer questions, and act as your personal assistant. It’s designed to blend in with the environment

Featured image for “Own a Virgin Atlantic 747 from US$299,000”

Own a Virgin Atlantic 747 from US$299,000

A retired Virgin Atlantic Boeing 747 jet is currently for sale on eBay with a starting bid of just US$299,000 — or US$900,000 buy it now if you’re feeling impulsive. Even though the engines have been removed and it looks like the cockpit has had any usable part removed, a lot of the interior including the seating and galleys appears

Featured image for “Delta Airlines returns to ExpertFlyer”

Delta Airlines returns to ExpertFlyer

ExpertFlyer is one of the essential tools that I use to plan and manage my travel — so much so that I’ve been a paying subscriber for ten years now. Some of the features that I use the site for include: Besides Australia and New Zealand, the country I visit the most is the United States and a lot of

Featured image for “Review: Sofitel Brisbane”

Review: Sofitel Brisbane

Having had an extensive refurbishment less than three years ago, the Sofitel Brisbane is a stunning property in the heart of the Brisbane CBD. Located directly above Central Station, the Sofitel is only a 25 minute train trip directly to the domestic terminal or roughly about the same time by car — and with a perfectly timed train combined with

Featured image for “WhatsApp releases Windows and Mac desktop apps”

WhatsApp releases Windows and Mac desktop apps

Facebook owned WhatsApp has today released desktop applications for both Windows and Mac. WhatsApp is popular among travellers as it allows one to stay in touch using whatever Internet connection may be available abroad — whether that be connected to Wi-Fi at a local café or using a local SIM card obtained upon arrival at an airport. Designed to be

Featured image for “ANZ now supports Apple Pay”

ANZ now supports Apple Pay

As of today, ANZ is the first bank within Australia to launch support for Apple Pay for their customers. Apple Pay is Apple’s payment technology that allows users to pay for items wherever contactless Visa or American Express payments are accepted using their iPhone (6 or newer), Apple Watch and several recent iPad models. To ensure that credit card details

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