Haye Kesteloo

One of our readers just notified us that the DJI Inspire 2 Cinema Premium Combo is no longer available online. I have checked a number of countries around the world and it seems that it is no longer available anywhere. Even a Dutch DJI retailer lists the product as “temporarily not available.” We do not think this is an indication that an Inspire 3 is around the corner, although we sure do wish it is. However, we do wonder if this is related to the supplier issue mentioned by DJI that caused the Phantom 4 Pro V2.0 to be out of stock for more than 5 weeks now.

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Drone light shows are becoming more popular around the world and are often used to replace the traditional fireworks shows. The most recent drone show lit up the sky during the Qatar National Day 2018.

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Separate from the DJI Winter Holiday discounts, DJI now offers a 10% Educational Discount to anybody with a .edu email address on the Mavic 2 Pro and Zoom drones, Ronin S, Osmo Mobile 2, Spark, Mavic Air, Ryze Tello, Mavic Pro Platinum, Phantom 4 Pro V2.0, Phantom 4 Advanced, Inspire 2, Mavic Pro (refurbished), Spark Fly More Combo, Phantom 4 (refurbished) and the original Osmo Mobile (refurbished). See below for more details on the DJI Educational Discount.

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DJI recently launched what seems to be a massive agriculture drone in China. It is called the T16 and the video below explains everything in great detail to anybody who can understand Chinese. Unfortunately, that does not include me. However, there are a few things that become clear as you watch the video.

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Last week crew members of a Boeing 737 passenger jet that was making its approach in Tijuana, Mexico, heard a “pretty loud bang.” Based on the photos of the damage to the commercial airline, it was speculated in the local media that the damage may have been the result of a drone collision. However, today we learn from the Aviation Safety Network that “there is no confirmation or evidence yet that a drone strike actually took place.”

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Deliveries by drone are making progress around the world. More so than here in the US for now, but hopefully, that will change soon. In the island-nation of Vanuatu, vaccines were delivered by drone this week. Many of the villages spread out over the various islands are so hard to reach that about 20% of the children miss their shots. Drones have shown to be a viable solution to this problem, making Vanuatu the first nation in the world with a childhood vaccine program that is officially drone-dependent.

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We have been informed by one of our trusted sources, that the thermal camera for the Mavic 2 Enterprise, that was to be announced today, will be announced at CES 2019 instead. There is no explanation provided for the delay, but it seems that DJI has thought at the last moment that it might be better to launch the thermal camera for the DJI Mavic 2 Enterprise, at the Consumer (!) Electronics Show in Las Vegas next month, together with the new ‘Pro’ Remote Controller with built-in display for the Mavic 2. There’s also more information on the type of delayed thermal camera btw… Jump right in.

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It seems that today’s announcement of what we assume is a new thermal camera for the DJI Mavic 2 Enterprise might be delayed. We have reached out to DJI for an official statement, but have not heard back as of yet. I hope this is not the beginning of a new trend. I’m sure you remember, the delay of the release of the DJI Mavic 2 Pro/Zoom last summer. As soon as we hear back from DJI, we will update you here on DroneDJ.

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DJI continues to build out their DJI Pro brand that was first introduced earlier this year. Recently, the drone maker added the DJI Pro YouTube channel. Now they have launched a dedicated website for professional filmmakers, photographers and documentary makers.

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We have seen more crazy drone footage including swimmers and wildlife (sharks mostly), but I think this video may top them all. In this drone video, you will see how killer whales join a woman during her swim workout off the coast of Coromandel, New Zealand. Initially, the woman swam straight to the shore and got out of the water, but then she decided to go back in and complete her swim. A tourist captured the event with his drone.

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Crew members said that they heard a “pretty loud bang” shortly before landing. In photos from the local press, significant damage to the nose of the Boeing 737 passenger jet is visible. Grupo Aeromexico SAB started an investigation whether a drone had indeed collided with the passenger jet as it was approaching its destination in Tijuana, Mexico.

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DJI Enterprise sent out a tweet today announcing the introduction of something new on December 17th, at 9 am EST. The accompanying image shows what seems to be a hot cup of coffee, taken with a thermal or infrared camera. There is also a bit of a cryptic message saying: “It’s going to be ” Will it be a thermal camera for the Mavic 2 Enterprise?

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The Irving Police Department just launched their new drone program. 22 police officers in Irving, Texas will be fully trained Part 107 drone pilots. At least four officers will have a drone ready to fly, in their vehicles during their shift at all times. The drones will be used during searches for missing persons, suspects, to investigate crime scenes and more. The drone program was paid for in part by a city grand.

Less than two weeks ago we reported on the NYPD adding 14 drones to their police force.

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DJI is shipping the Osmo Pocket. Some of our readers have informed us that their order status has changed to ‘shipped’. Late yesterday, we also learned that an updated version of the Mimo app is now available for download at the iTunes app store and Google Play store. The new firmware for the DJI Osmo Pocket delivers better auto-focus, improved audio and 120 fps at 1080p for slow-motion. Check it out!

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