Travel Tech Q&A: iiNet's Steve Dalby
As the chief regulatory officer for the nation's number two DSL provider, Steve Dalby is always on the move. We chat to him about his favourite travel tech after a recent visit to Cape Town in South Africa.
iiNet's Steve Dalby
(Credit: iiNet)
What tech do you travel with and why?
Well, email is important for me as is web access, so that connectivity is either iPhone or iPad. If it's a day trip, I get by with my iPhone 4; if it's up to a couple of weeks and I don't need Excel or MS Word, I manage with my iPad.
The iPad also doubles as an entertainment device and I purchase movies from iTunes to watch on long flights (anywhere from Perth is a long flight). I have an excellent pair of Sennheiser noise-cancelling headphones, with a clever little adapter that lets me plug it into my iPhone/iPad or the aeroplane's A/V system. To keep it all going I travel with a HyperMac 60Wh battery, which will keep the phone going for over a week.
What tech do you expect in hotels when you're travelling?
Wireless internet access — I don't carry a laptop any more, so an Ethernet cable is not what I want to see. Power points are also something most hotels could do better. Many are hidden or on the other side of the room. A free power point next to my bed is what I need to charge my stuff.
What was your biggest travel disaster?
I can't say I've (touch wood) ever had one. I've gone close to missing flights because of different time zones and mis-setting alarm clocks often cause moments of stress, but I always give myself plenty of time and I am pretty organised.
What's the best airport you've visited?
Madrid, Spain was very good. Very efficient, very organised and very attractive.
Where's the best place for duty-free tech shopping?
It's pretty much all the same these days. Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok goes on forever, but hey, I'm a bloke, shopping doesn't get me excited.
What's your favourite phone app, and why?
I really think the iCurrencyPad is very cool. It is very easy to use and brilliantly put together. I'd recommend it to anyone who needs to buy foreign currencies. I also find WhatsApp and Viber useful to keep in touch with family.
What's your favourite site to use while you're travelling?
Facebook. I use Google for my general research, with Google Maps to find my way around.