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DJI introduces a smart remote controller with built-in display at CES 2019
Right after we posted this article here, we received the official announcement from DJI about the new DJI Smart Controller. Here’s the entire official DJI announcement about the DJI Smart Controller. Attendees can find DJI in the South Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center, booth #25602.
DJI Smart Controller for the Mavic 2 Zoom, Pro and Enterprise to be launched at CES 2019
Contrary to earlier reports, it seems that DJI is planning to launch the DJI ‘Pro’ Remote Controller at CES 2019. However, instead of calling it Pro, DJI has changed the name to DJI Smart Controller. Early this morning the promotional video of the DJI Smart Controller was released on YouTube. The video provides us with all the most important information about the new device.
Government shutdown affects CES® 2019 programming
The ongoing partial U.S. Government shutdown is even effecting CES 2019. Some of the government speakers will not be able to make it to the consumer electronics show. Currently, it seems that about 10 speakers have cancelled but that the keynote from U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao will still take place on Wednesday at 11am.
New Osmo Pocket firmware update – v1.3.0.20
The last firmware update for the DJI Osmo Pocket was on December 12th, however, the software engineers at DJI must have been busy over the holiday season as there is a new firmware update today. V1.3.0.20 is the official version name of the new Osmo Pocket firmware update that was released today. It promises a number of new features but the ones that I’m most excited about are ‘optimized ActiveTrack’, ‘optimized focus’ and ‘improved auto white balance’.
UVify IFO looks to give competition to the Intel Shooting Star.
Look out for a new light show drone at CES 2019, where UVify will officially launch their new swarm drone, the IFO. Intel grabs most of the headlines when it comes to drones and light shows. Ehang also made a big splash when they performed a large show over the Great Wall of China. Now UVify brings their IFO drone to the light show market with a different angle, a swarm drone that anyone can buy.
54 Mavic 2 Filters from Polar Pro, Tiffen, and the rest. Which filters are best?
I recently received a total of 54 filters for the Mavic 2 Pro ($1,499) and Mavic 2 Zoom ($1,249) from 5 different manufacturers. (I had offers to test even more, but I had to turn them away.) I then set off to test these filters over the next several weeks and compare them on a total of 16 different metrics. I wanted to know who makes the best Mavic 2 filters. It is Polar Pro, Tiffen, or one of the several smaller Chinese accessory suppliers? The winners might surprise you.
Mavic 2 Zoom FLIR Boson thermal drone – details and pricing
Yesterday, we wrote about a heavily customized DJI Mavic 2 Zoom drone that was outfitted with a FLIR Boson thermal camera. Today we have more details on the drone as well as pricing info and how to get one. Could this custom drone replace both a DJI Matrice 210 and Zenmuse XT2 and the DJI Mavic 2 Enterprise Dual? It seems it very well could. Read on!
Heathrow and Gatwick Airport invest heavily in counter-drone tech
Heathrow and Gatwick Airport are about to invest heavily in counter-drone technology in the wake of the Gatwick drone fiasco from before the Holidays. During three days Gatwick was closed for 36 hours diverting and canceling about 1,000 flights and disrupting 140,000 travelers’ plans.
Mavic 2 Zoom FLIR Boson – a customized DJI thermal drone
Today these photos surfaced on Facebook. It is what seems to be a custom-made DJI Mavic 2 Zoom with a FLIR Boson thermal camera attached to it. One of the cameras apparently is the Boson 320 6,3 mm combined with the original optical zoom camera, according to the post on social media. For details and pricing, see here.
DJI Mavic Air attacked by eagle in Hong Kong
A photographer with a massive lens was quick to capture an eagle attacking a DJI Mavic Air. Six spectacular photos show the ordeal as it took place in the air. The images were shared on Facebook and apparently, the eagle attacked the DJI Mavic Air three times before it finally got it.
Pennsylvania introduces “Unlawful Use of Unmanned Aircraft” law
On January 12th, a new drone law will come into effect in Pennsylvania that aims to protect people’s privacy from drones. The ‘Unlawful Use of Unmanned Aircraft’ law will prohibit anyone from gathering aerial photos or footage of someone in a private place using a drone.
President Trump, the self-proclaimed drone expert
In a White House press briefing on Monday, President Trump claimed that he knows “more about drones than anybody.” The self-proclaimed drone expert stressed that the country needs a physical barrier and that “everything else is bells and whistles.”
No NYPD drone on New Year’s Eve in New York because of rain
As we reported last year, the NYPD had planned to use a tethered drone to help keep everybody safe during the famous ball drop at Times Square in New York during the New Year’s Eve celebrations. However, the rain, unfortunately, put a halt to those plans and no NYPD drone was deployed.
Project Safir aims to set rules commercial drone operations in Europe
Like the U.S., Europe is moving to set the ground rules for commercial drone operations. Before drones can fly to make deliveries in crowded urban areas without crashing into each other, a standardized set of regulations is needed. Project Safir aims to help develop a set of ground rules for safe commercial drone operations in Europe.
To speed up drone identification rules, the FAA launches a test program
The big hurdle to overcome before commercial drone applications will be allowed on a large scale is remote drone identification. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has now launched a test program to speed up the drone identification rules. Up to eight test programs are to be paid for by drone industry parties.
Mavic 2 improvements – DJI upgrades make it a better drone
The Mavic 2 Zoom and Mavic 2 Pro were game-changing drones upon their release. In typical DJI fashion, the Mavic 2 was released a bit hastily, with some issues yet to be worked out with firmware updates. DroneDJ and others have filed some complaints and it looks like DJI has been listening. These two drones are better drones today then they were upon their release.
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DJI ‘Pro’ Remote Controller is likely delayed and might not be at CES 2019
The long-awaited DJI ‘Pro’ Remote Controller is likely delayed and might not be at CES 2019. The mystery remote controller for the DJI Mavic 2 that showed up in various official DJI photos and videos was rumored to make its debut at CES 2019. However, the latest information we just received, indicates that the remote controller will likely be delayed.
The Drone – a movie about an evil DJI Phantom
The new year starts off with a movie, called The Drone. I guess it was inevitable that at some point a horror movie starring a drone would be made. Well, it is here. Perhaps a little sooner than most of us would have expected. In the movie, a DJI Phantom is possessed by a deranged serial killer and takes on a life of its own. The evil drone sets out to terrorize newlyweds Rachel (Alexandra Essoe) and Chris (John Brotherton).
Our 10 most popular news stories of 2018! 🍾👍😀
As 2018 comes to a close, we reviewed our most popular news stories of the last twelve months. We covered almost 1,200 drone news articles that reached millions of readers and gathered many millions of page views. It has been a very successful year for DroneDJ in which we were able to break a lot of stories and news to you. We are very excited for 2019 and are working on new ideas to bring you more drone news faster and over different channels.
As we end 2018, we wish you and your loved ones all the best for 2019. Here’s to happy (and safe) drone flying in the coming year! 🍾👍😀
Severn Bridge shut down after man climbs to top to fly a drone
The Severn Bridge that connects England to Wales was shut down earlier today after a man had climbed the bridge to fly a drone from the top. The drone incident follows the Gatwick Airport drone fiasco that took place right before the Holidays.
Will Samsung ever actually make a drone or just file patents?
South Korean electronics giant, Samsung has filed a number of drone patents with the U.S. Patents & Trademark Office over the last few years. Reportedly five in 2018 and as many as 16 drone patents in total. The drone industry could surely use some competition as currently, DJI is running away with the market. However, will Samsung ever actually make a drone or will it just keep filing patents?
NYPD drones will guard NYE ball drop at Times Square
For the first time, counter-drone technology and NYPD drones will guard the NYE ball drop at Times Square in New York. Police officials have said that there is no known threat to the New Year’s Eve festivities in the city. The counter-drone technology and New York police drones will be present as a precaution and as part of the safety measures.
We put the Osmo Pocket on a drone. See it in action!
We couldn’t resist putting the Osmo Pocket on a drone. We know that the Osmo Pocket is an excellent handheld camera. It is small and compact. That got us thinking. How would it perform in the air? What if we put it on a drone? So we did.
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Don’t Judge by Its Size – DJI Mavic 2 Enterprise Dual
Romeo Durscher, DJI’s Director of Public Safety Integration, wrote an extensive piece on the DJI Mavic 2 Enterprise Dual. In the article, Romeo points out the strengths of DJI latest drone and compares it to the more expensive but more capable Matrice 200/210 with a Zenmue XT2 camera.