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Editors note: This article has been updated with statements from an Amazon spokesperson.

Amazon’s drone delivery dreams have once again hit turbulence with the company temporarily halting its 60-minute drone delivery service in Texas and Arizona following a series of crashes involving its new MK30 drones. The decision comes after two drones crashed during tests at Amazon’s Pendleton, Oregon, site in December — one of which caught fire on impact.

South Korea’s BEI has unveiled a new battery that promises to double drone flight times and perform exceptionally in extreme temperatures. The innovation not only propels the drone industry forward but also positions South Korea as a pivotal tech supplier for the United States amid rising concerns over Chinese technology.

New York City is considering a new high-tech weapon in its fight against filth: drones. The city’s Department of Sanitation (DSNY) is exploring whether drones could help crack down on illegal dumping, trash left out too early, and even abandoned “ghost cars” clogging up the streets.

Last weekend, the Supreme Court upheld a law banning TikTok from the United States, a first-of-its-kind bill that would effectively shut down an app with hundreds of millions of users. However, neither former President Biden nor newly sworn-in President Trump shows interest in enforcing the law. Does that mean there’s light at the end of the tunnel for DJI?

Welcome to The Buzz, a weekly roundup of news about consumer, enterprise, and defense uses for drones. For now, it’s in a written format, but soon there will be a return to our weekly podcast format. This week was a big week for controversies; between the investigation of the LA fire’s drone crash, Red Cat’s potential fraud, and DJI dropping No-Fly Zones, there was a lot.

While many experienced drone pilots and photographers probably know the answer to this question, many new pilots might not. So what is the difference between optical and digital zoom? When should you use either?

Even with the F-22 still considered the most dominant fighter the US Air Force has developed, the department is already looking towards its replacement, or lack thereof. The outgoing Air Force Secretary stated that the next-generation fighter program could rely on a “F-35 follow-on” that would simply manage unmanned combat air vehicles.

It’s the age old problem, you’re out flying your drone and think to yourself, “I really wish this thing could drive.” Well engineering YouTuber Michael Rechtin did, and now we have tank drone… or a drone tank? A drone that can drive and a tank that can fly.

Red Cat Holdings, a prominent player in the drone manufacturing industry, is navigating turbulent skies following serious allegations concerning its US Army contract and production capabilities. The company’s stock took a nosedive, dropping over 8% on January 16, 2025, after Kerrisdale Capital, a well-known short-selling firm, released a report casting doubt on Red Cat’s claims.

Hundreds of spectators gathered at Lake Eola Park in downtown Orlando on December 21, expecting a dazzling holiday-themed drone show. Instead, they witnessed chaos as drones crashed midair, plunged into the lake, and veered off course. The worst of it? A 7-year-old boy was struck by one of the falling drones, suffering serious injuries that led to open-heart surgery. Now, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released its preliminary report detailing what went wrong, and the findings are alarming.

Insta360 announced today its second-generation Flow smartphone gimbal. Bringing Apple DockKit support, the new gimbal expands on its predecessor, with more AI-driven features to produce professional-level videos with just your phone.

The FBI has intensified its investigation into the collision between a DJI Mini drone and a Super Scooper firefighting aircraft as Los Angeles continues to battle devastating wildfires. The collision, which left a significant hole in the left wing of the firefighting plane, occurred amid ongoing emergency operations at the Palisades Fire near Malibu, California. Officials warn that unauthorized drones in wildfire zones are endangering critical firefighting efforts.

DJI, the world’s leading drone maker, has found itself at the center of heated speculation this week after announcing a major update to its geofencing system in the United States. The company has now issued a clarification: This change is not a retaliatory move against the US government amid discussions of a potential ban on DJI products. Instead, DJI insists that the update is designed to give drone operators better control and more reliable airspace data by aligning with the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) official information.

Leave it to humanity to do something so stupid that it ends up viral on social media, twice. A recent video resurfaced and has gained recent hype for obvious reasons; the video showed an alligator snatching a drone in the air before exploding.

The drone maker turned adventure company has upgraded the DJI Power lineup with new “super-fast chargers” for van lifers or RV owners. The expansion continues to make DJI Power more competitive in the portable battery space.

DJI has released a firmware update for its new Flip drone on launch day, offering early adopters an enhanced flying experience from the start. The v01.00.1000 update adds voice control, app recording, and 4K/100fps slow-motion video capabilities, ensuring buyers can unlock the drone’s full potential upon initial setup.

Tech giant DJI has released a fresh update to its DJI Fly app, bringing new features and improvements for drone enthusiasts. Version 1.16.0 introduces compatibility with DJI’s latest compact drone, the DJI Flip, alongside some behind-the-scenes tweaks for smoother performance.

The consumer drone producer announced today its newest camera drone to its lineup, the DJI Flip. Taking the best features of the DJI Mini and Neo drones, it might just be the perfect drone to give to anyone, no matter how experienced they are with flying a camera drone.

In a pivotal shift for drone operations, DJI, the world’s largest civilian drone manufacturer, has scrapped its proprietary geofencing system in favor of official Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) data across the United States. The update, effective January 13, 2025, changes the way drone operators navigate controlled airspace — placing full responsibility for flight safety and potential violations squarely on their shoulders.

Protecting your airspace from rogue drones no longer has to break the bank. AeroDefense, a drone and pilot detection technology provider, just rolled out AirWarden Essentials, a powerful wide-area monitoring solution priced at under $5,000.

The FBI has unveiled photos of a DJI Mini drone responsible for damaging a Super Scooper firefighting aircraft during the Palisades Fire in Los Angeles. The drone collision, which occurred in restricted airspace, caused a 3×6-inch hole in the plane’s left wing, forcing it to land for repairs and delaying firefighting operations by up to 30 minutes.

Flying Lion announced it recently hit over 55,000 Drone As A First Responder flights. After pioneering the idea of using drones as first responders, the company has now rolled out a wide range of services that other communities can use.

A drone collided with a firefighting aircraft Thursday while fighting the Los Angeles wildfires. Even though flight restrictions have been in place to ensure safe operations, a drone was still flown in the area that was not authorized by local officials.