DJI outs new 4K folding drone

The latest addition to DJI’s lineup of drones is one that picks the best features of the US$999 Mavic Pro and the $399 Spark and sits comfortably in the middle of these two price-wise. The $799 DJI Mavic Air borrows the Mavic Pro’s foldability and gets its smaller footprint from the Spark. It’s now 41 percent lighter than the Pro. If what’s preventing you from getting the Spark was its specs, the Air’s specifications are closer to the pro.

It has a 1/2.3-inch sensor that can shoot 4K video at 24 or 30 frames per second and 12-megapixel stills with its 24mm wide-angle f/2.8 lens. In terms of its flight capabilities, it tops out at 42.5 miles per hour and can withstand winds of up to 22 miles per hour. With its new antenna, it has a 2.5-mile range, within visual line of sight, of course. It also has a new ventilation system to prevent it from overheating and a new 3-axis gimbal casing for better, smoother footage. You don’t have to worry about flying into objects too much with its seven-camera obstacle avoidance system, which can also help it avoid and move past these obstacles instead of just stopping in front of them. And yes, you get a new remote, too. On the software side, DJI promises new shooting modes, including a 32-megapixel panorama option or tiny planet mode, and better gesture controls. Flight time is at 21 minutes.

Source: The Verge

CES 2018: GoPro exits the drone business lays off hundreds of employees

GoPro is ceasing production of its drone line while laying off hundreds of its employees. Drones are extremely competitive and fall within a wide range of prices and GoPro can't compete in the current climate. GoPro's Karma Drone will be the last product to come from GoPro, although there's little confidence to buy the device now that there will be no continuity and questionable support and service.

Source: The Verge

Kickstarter investigates US$3.5 million failed project

Kickstarter is taking a look into a massively funded and failed ZANO drone campaign. They hired an investigative reporter to look into why the project didn’t push through. Over 12,000 backers paid over US$3.5 million to fund this small autonomous drone. It was supposed to be released in January of this year but the release date came and went without any word from the company, Torque Group Ltd, and it ultimately shut down last month, leaving backers without any compensation for their support.

Kickstarter hired Mark Harris to get the details. According to Harris, “[Kickstarter] would like to uncover the story of Zano, from its inception to the present…” He’ll also look into Kickstarter’s role in the project and how it could have helped the both the creators and its backers. Kickstarter will see the final story before publication but they have “no right” to make or suggest changes to the story. He anticipates publishing his story maybe mid next month.

Source: Slash Gear

Small remote-controlled quadcopter AERIUS Mini Drone can rest on your fingertip

Want a tiny remote-controlled quadcopter that can do tricks? The AERIUS Mini Drone is for you. At just 3cm x 3cm x 2cm, this small quadcopter can land right on your fingertip and even fit into its own controller. It can fly up to seven minutes off of a single 15-minute charge. It comes with preprogrammed flips and rolls that you activate with the press of a button. Flying at night is possible, too, with its built-in LED lights. It’s 18 percent off on Laughing Squid’s store and costs US$53 at the moment.

Source: Laughing Squid