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DJI throttles its drones unless you register them (updated)
You might not have to register your drones through the Federal Aviation Administration anymore, but if your flyer of choice is a DJI model, you'll have to activate it online, or take a hit in flight range and functionality. The company is adding a new application activation process, tied to a firmware update for its family of drones. It'll come into effect at the end of this week, and is aimed at ensuring pilots use "the correct set of geospatial information and flight functions for your aircraft", determined by your location and user profile. The aim should be fewer crashes, and hopefully less broken DJI drones.
DJI refreshes the Phantom 4 with 'Advanced' entry-level model
While DJI's Phantom 4 Pro strictly targeted filmmakers, folks who wanted that form factor were stuck paying the long dollar ($1,500 - $1,800) for it. Sure, it might've been overshadowed by the company's less expensive Mavic Pro ($749 - $999), but not everyone wants a foldable UAV. That's where the newly announced Phantom 4 Advanced and Advanced+ come in, offering sizable improvements for less money. Oh and if you were a fan of the base Phantom 4, know that it's being discontinued soon.
Epson and DJI team up for POV drone goggles
Phantom owners will soon be able to pilot their drones with a fresh perspective -- that of the UAV itself. DJI and Epson announced on Thursday that they are teaming up. Together, they'll expand DJI's SDK to allow Epson's Moverio BT-300 AR glasses to integrate with DJI's Phantom, Matrice and Inspire lines of remote-controlled flyers.
DJI's drones will stream live video over Facebook
Now that Facebook can stream live video through virtually any device, you're going to find those live feeds coming from unusual places... including overhead. DJI is promising an update in late April that will let you stream its drones' video through Facebook Live, making it comparatively easy to share those dramatic skyline shots with your friends. The feature will work for any model that plays nicely with the DJI Go mobile app, which largely includes recent Phantom and Inspire drones. While you could stream to YouTube before, this definitely widens the playing field -- there's a better chance that more of your social circle will witness your aerial exploits.
Watch an autonomous drone deftly avoid obstacles
Skydio, an aerial drone startup, recently released an impressive highlight reel of its first UAV nimbly avoiding obstacles as it followed a group of cyclists during their ride through Menlo Park, California. Unlike the new DJI Phantom 4, which will simply halt its forward progress and try to fly over an obstruction, Skydio's unnamed prototype barrels right through them.
DJI's Phantom 4 comes with obstacle avoidance and 'speed' mode
Smarter, leaner, faster, stronger? That's the promise with DJI's Phantom 4, announced today, in what appears to be the most significant upgrade to the range yet. DJI's flagship consumer drone doesn't just get an aesthetic make over (though it did finally get one, of sorts), it also sports some new technology not even found on many pro craft: obstacle avoidance. There's also a new vision-based smart follow feature and a bevy of other upgrades. Let's get right into it.
