Video: iPhone 3GS can tether... to an RC plane

We're still not sure what to make of the iPhone in a pool video, but if this one is legit, it certainly represents one of the most glorious ways to endanger expensive hi-tech gadgetry. Let's face it -- who doesn't want to see Apple's moneymaker strapped to the belly of an RC plane and shot up into the air? Major engine noise and the phone's camera struggling for focus are all excused by the awesome landing that seems to place the iPhone about an inch away from the gravelly ground. Make your way past the break for the full vid.

[Thanks, Mark]

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 16th 2009 12:24PM]

Not even close to state of the art, or even special at this point:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFyOBRwmt-E

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 16th 2009 3:10PM]

You, like so many others, missed the point. That video you linked to wasn't shot with an iPhone or any kind of phone, was it?

Yes, that is the point. Video taken with a PHONE. Specifically with an iPhone 3GS. That's the point. Get it now?

[Phen Posted Jul 17th 2009 2:28PM]

zak - stop campaigning for the 3GS and the 'uniqueness' of this video.

you really think this is noteworthy on a tech blog like engadget? - TUAW maybe...

Oh wow - I shot some wedding photos with my ______ phone camera - alert the masses!!! First wedding photo taken with my ______ phone!!!! oh - and OMG!!! I just took pictures of my biomedical research (cells) with my _____ phone camera - shall i send those in to engadget too?

STFD zak - you know as well as anybody that this is mildly cool - but about as "wow" as the AMAZINGOMG picture messaging on the newest iPhone.....oh wait, not yet...

[Ed T Posted Jul 16th 2009 12:27PM]

Was that Javier Lopez (MLB catcher)? He's big in aircraft models and RC flying.

[shadyjewmobster Posted Jul 16th 2009 12:33PM]

i have no problems with service anywhere. NJ, PA, NY, MD, CT. no probs at all.....

[KEROLiUKAS Posted Jul 16th 2009 12:34PM]

The only reason they posted this is because it's an iPhone..and you know engadget..anything that has an iphone in it is important.,...right...and how many times has this been done before with regular cameras/phones?

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 16th 2009 12:50PM]

Does the service plan cover crash landings?

[iKurtz Posted Jul 16th 2009 1:07PM]

Most.Clever.Blog.Post.Title

[jcar302 Posted Jul 16th 2009 1:22PM]

I don't quite understand what makes some of you think this video is great.
You can strap a camera phone to damn near anything and make a video.

As far as you iphone lovers, ya it's a great phone, unless you are on the other end of a conversation with someone that is using it, what a garbled mess the mic is on an iphone.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 16th 2009 3:13PM]

Your comment was stupid for two reasons.

1. It's showing the first known aerial footage from the 3GS. That's the point. A lot of people are interested in the video quality of the 3GS, that's all there is to it.
2. The sound is clipping because it's very loud. The mic on the iPhone is actually very good, and you would know that if you had ever tried one.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 16th 2009 8:03PM]

Zak's comment was stupid for two reasons.

1. It's showing what is assume as the first supposed aerial footage taken from a iPhone 3GS tethered from a RC plane. That's the point with people who are amazed by the video. It would have been great if there was a video to see the iPhone being attached to the RC plane.
2. The sound quality is not poor or loud. The is a lot of noise because of the plane's motor and the wind. Also, the author did indicated this on YouTube.

Many iPhone/iPod fans get really excited about anything iPhone/iPod. It is just part of their culture. Also, this is Engadget where anything about an iPhone/iPod is news.

One the first point I will accept that this was an actual iPhone attached to an RC plane. It really doesn't excite me, since their have been aerial shots for RC planes long before the iPod existed.

[Gibberish Posted Jul 16th 2009 2:00PM]

Man, I'm dizzy....

[glamajamma Posted Jul 16th 2009 2:10PM]

So I searched Google video and found 8 pages of camera phones being attached to RC planes and at first glance some of it happened 2 years ago.

This is different how...
http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=rc+plane+video+camera+phone#

[grifmx Posted Jul 16th 2009 2:42PM]

Now I too can make my own cool "spaceship crash footage" like in the original Planet of the Apes movie!!!!!!!!!! Awesome!

[geekymitch2 Posted Jul 16th 2009 4:21PM]

OK so normally I'd TOTALLY say what an idiot, endangering expensive electronics like that.
However, this may just be the single most awesomest thing of EVER. If only I had confidence enough in my RC plane flying ability to give this a try.
Seriously.
Awesome.

[peepeeland Posted Jul 16th 2009 5:40PM]

Oh, man, me eyeballz..... I need some water and fresh air or something.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 16th 2009 6:11PM]

I have always been wanting to do something like this, un manned ariel vehicles with survellince capabilities, but for civilians. some startup company should start making RC planes, helicopters, and blimps. with built in highquality hd cameras, also include some time of connectivity mechinism so you can control and/or watch it live on a laptop. also a camera lens that can be controlled. imagine flying an RC helicopter with a camera, attached over the White House. that would be so funny.

[Stsainj Posted Jul 16th 2009 8:19PM]

Wow that thing took off really fast! I can imagine the horror of watching the iPhone peel away from the plane and plummet to the ground. Don't think AppleCare will cover that!

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 16th 2009 10:32PM]

I'm friends with this family and guarantee that it's 100% legit. I knew of it before it was posted. Too cool, fits makers personality.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 17th 2009 7:52AM]

OMGosh no way dude that is just too cool!

RT

[Celanor Posted Jul 18th 2009 1:34PM]

MacGyver would approve.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 27th 2009 10:16AM]

CAN YOU HERE ME NNNOOOWWWwwwwwww