Blog | Beau Giles

HP Envy X2: Why settle for Windows RT?

Posted in: Review, Technology|February 20, 2013No Comments

Ever since (and even before) the launch of Windows 8 late last year, Microsoft has been aggressively pushing their own ‘tablet’ computer, the Microsoft Surface, with the usual advantages of long battery life, a lightweight removable keyboard ‘for real work’, and it runs ‘Windows’. Heck, you’d be forgiven for forgetting that Microsoft isn’t the only one making tablet hardware with Windows on it.

Over the last few weeks I’ve been using HP’s Envy X2; a ‘real’ Windows computer, powered by an Intel Atom Processor instead of the less powerful and completely different ARM processors.

Passbook in Australia: View your Queensland University of Technology (QUT) QPS balance

Posted in: Technology|February 4, 2013No Comments

The Passbook train continues to move forwards in Australia, with more companies climbing aboard, adding to the list of those already offering support for Passbook.

Late last year, the Queensland University of Technology (or, QUT) quietly added support for viewing your QUT Printing Service (QPS) balance via Passbook, meaning that your (live and up to date) balance is only a pull to refresh away, wherever you are, without needing to use a username and password.

iOS Custom Carrier Logos – 6.1 Redux

Posted in: Technology|January 30, 201315 Comments

Still using iOS 5? Try this post!
Yet to update from iOS 6 to 6.1? These bundles are for you.

Come here and you’re curious as to how these work without a jailbreak? Or are interested in an overview of making your own, then read this post about carrier bundles.

After Apple released iOS 6.1 earlier this week, it was time to update the carrier bundles yet again!

Myer becomes the first Australian retailer to jump on the Passbook train

Posted in: Technology|December 21, 2012No Comments

Not long after Apple’s iOS 6 software update was officially released to the public, I earlier wrote some thoughts on ‘Passbook‘; one of my favourite new features in iOS 6 with plenty of potential.

Since then, the number of applications and companies have slowly increased. Just a quick look through AppShopper reveals applications with passbook support added, as well as companies like Qantas and Virgin Australia offering passes via their mobile web checkins (again demonstrating that you don’t need to have an app to support Passbook!) and Ticketek and Moshtix supporting Passbook for events.

The first application to be approved and actively promoted by Apple for having Passbook support was Nova’s ‘ShopperNova‘ app – essentially a directory of coupons and other special offers. While the offers here could be added to Passbook, they weren’t taking complete advantage of all the features – using generic barcodes with just a ‘coupon code’ to be used online, or to confuse staff if you dared to try and use it at a brick and mortar location (looking at you Oporto and SuperDry).