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DJI pulls drone app plugins that swiped too much user data
DJI's efforts to improve drone security go well beyond offering bug bounties and requiring updates. The company has rolled out updates to its Go and Go 4 mobile apps in order to pull add-ons that collect too much of your data. The main culprit is JPush, a third-party extension DJI implemented to send notifications when you finish uploading videos to the SkyPixel sharing service. It's supposed to help you move on to other tasks while your video goes to the cloud, but DJI has learned that it's collecting unnecessary info without asking, including the list of apps installed on Android devices. The company says it doesn't approve of this practice any more than you do, and it's creating its own status system as a replacement.
DJI will pay you to find security exploits in its drones
DJI clearly doesn't like that organizations are shying away from its drones over security fears, and it knows it can't solve the problem by itself. The company is launching a bug bounty program that will pay between $100 and $30,000 to anyone who finds flaws in its software, whether they're showstopping security exploits, privacy threats, safety issues or simple app crashes. Bug bounties certainly aren't anything new, but this shows how important drone security has become -- DJI doesn't want to lose business or risk an injury because it didn't catch a glitch in time.
DJI won't let you fly your Spark drone without a safety update
DJI is no stranger to imposing limits on drones unless you take certain actions, and that's truer than ever right now. The company is releasing new firmware for the Spark this week to tackle problems with in-flight shutdowns, and it's giving users an ultimatum: if you don't update the aircraft or battery by September 1st, the drone won't take off. The company says it made the judgment call to "maximize flight safety and product reliability."
DJI drones are getting an offline mode for secret flights
Chinese manufacturer DJI is adding a local data mode to its drones. Once enabled, the new feature will stop the company's apps from collecting user data (such as photos, videos, and flight logs). Although, DJI claims the update is in response to public demand, it's hard to ignore the security concerns recently raised by the US army. Less than two weeks ago, the military ordered staff to halt use of all DJI hardware and applications, citing "operational risks."
US Army reportedly ceasing use of all DJI drone products
According to a memo obtained by sUAS News, the US Army will stop using DJI drones, effective immediately. "Due to increased awareness of cyber vulnerabilities associated with DJI products, it is directed that the US Army halt use of all DJI products," said the memo, which listed flight computers, cameras, radios, batteries, speed controllers, GPS units, handheld control stations and any device with DJI software applications installed on it as products that must cease being used. According to the document, the Army Aviation Engineering Directorate has issued over 300 Airworthiness Releases for DJI products. "Cease all use, uninstall all DJI applications, remove all batteries/storage media from devices, and secure equipment for follow on direction," the memo continued.
DJI's Spark drone starts recording when you raise your arm
When we reviewed DJI's Spark drone, one of our gripes was the limited set of gesture controls. You can't do everything you want without reaching for your phone. DJI is already taking steps to close those gaps, though. It's delivering a firmware update that adds a gesture for starting and stopping video recording. All you have to do is stand within 6.5 feet of the drone's front and raise your arm at a roughly 45-degree angle like you were waving hello. This does require that you be within the frame when recording starts, but that's fine if you planned to star in your own production -- it beats staring down at a screen.
DJI and 3D Robotics team up for business-focused drone tools
For all their hobbyist applications, like photography and videography, drones are still primarily commercial tools. Thus, 3DR's partnership with DJI for the Enterprise Drone Platform. Specifically, the Enterprise Drone Platform will be integrated with DJI's UAVs and further expand its Site Scan system to incorporate the job-site surveying tech into the Chinese company's drones.
Sling’s video production device can use DJI drones for footage
Earlier this year, Sling released its multi-camera video production device SlingStudio that made it a heck of alot easier to juggle multiple feeds for live or edited video. Today the company announced that the platform will now be compatible with DJI drone systems, including models from the Phantom, Inspire and Matrice series. "SlingStudio simplifies production for videographers looking to film with multiple drones, or drones in combination with ground cameras," said Dish CTO Vivek Khemka in a statement, "Its wireless, drone friendly setup allows drone pilots to capture footage without being limited by cords or cumbersome film equipment."
Recommended Reading: Rebooting a hero in 'Spider-Man: Homecoming'
'Spider-Man: Homecoming' Is One of the Best Superhero Movies in Years Christopher Orr, The Atlantic Well folks, the time has come. The team-up between Sony and Marvel for the third different take on Spider-Man debuted this week. So far, the reviews are mostly positive, noting that the duo created a compelling story line for Peter Parker with Tom Holland that establishes the character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Don't take my word for it, The Atlantic has a full review (yep, spoilers) with all the details.
Flying a DJI Spark by waving your hand isn't as great as it sounds
DJI's Spark is the company's first attempt at a true drone for everyone. DJI has made no secret about the fact it thinks non-RC enthusiasts want a lightweight, compact quadcopter that's easy to control. That's exactly what the Spark is. But after spending some time with it (and a Mavic Pro, for comparison), I'm torn. The Spark is, indeed, incredibly fun, simple to use and easy to carry around. But, the gesture controls aren't as useful, or reliable enough for new pilots. And therein lies the dilemma.
DJI's palm-sized Spark drone delivers epic selfies
Everyone loves taking selfies, even if they don't like to admit it. And if you're looking to take those snaps of yourself to the next level, DJI's new, cutesy Spark drone may be just for you. The company's latest drone is designed to fit on the palm of your hand and can be controlled with motion gestures, letting you take some over-the-top pictures and videos without much effort. You can wave your hand to have move it up or down, right or left and pull it toward or away from you, while a quick gesture that resembles you taking a picture will trigger the camera's selfie mode. The only drawback to this is that the Spark can only go up to 10 feet away from you, and that's where the Spark's companion app and remote control come in.
You can fly DJI's cutesy Spark drone with hand gestures
DJI made a name for itself with its chunky flying Phantom drones, but within the last year we've seen the company really embrace the value of smallness. Despite numerous delays, the Mavic Pro was greeted very positively, and now the company has another small drone — the Spark — made for first-time pilots and drone dabblers alike. DJI likes to call the Spark the "perfect lifestyle accessory," which sounds like a stretch if we've ever heard one, but the company might not be totally off-base. After all, the Spark weighs less than a can of pop, comes in five colors, and can be controlled (at least a little) with simple hand gestures.
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 streams drone footage to your television
Just a few months after GoPro threatens to close its entertainment doors, DJI is ready to step in. The drone-cum-camera company has just announced that it's launching a Smart TV app that'll stream plenty of aerial content and 4k videos captured from DJI drones and cameras. The app will initially be made available on Samsung's Tizen TVs and Apple TV. This is yet another instance in which DJI and GoPro have overlapping businesses. GoPro started with cameras and moved into drones, while DJI went from making drones and then moved into the camera business (The DJI Phantom Vision 2 was the first to ditch GoPro cameras for its own). GoPro has also been trying to make inroads as an entertainment company for a few years now -- indeed, there's a GoPro channel on Xbox, PS4, Roku, Samsung and LG TVs, as well as Virgin America's in-flight entertainment center. And now DJI is starting to do that too. "We've made flying and capturing aerial footage easy with our drones, and now with the DJI Smart TV App, creators will have more ways to share their work with the world," said Paul Pan, DJI's senior product manager in a statement. At the same time, GoPro has been struggling. It had a disappointing earnings report at the end of 2016, and had to cut 15 percent of its workforce late last year. The company laid off another 270 jobs in March of this year. It also announced last year that it would be ending its entertainment division entirely, so those aforementioned GoPro channels might not be around for long. In a few months, DJI might be the only channel streaming action camera content. You can find DJI's Smart TV app in both Apple TV and Samsung's Tizen TV app store. DJI says that the app is also compatible with entertainment devices running on Android 5.1 and above, so get ready for it to be available on even more platforms going forward.
DJI grounded its drones in Iraq and Syria to lock out extremists
The most recognizable name in drones has reportedly stepped in to help the United States in its ongoing war on terror. As The Register reports today, Shenzhen-based DJI -- makers of the ever-popular Phantom and Inspire series quadcopters -- quietly created software-based no-fly zones over large parts of Iraq and Syria where ISIS fighters have been known to strap improvised bombs to commercial drones.
DJI's first-person goggles look to the future of drone flight
The new DJI Goggles put you in the cockpit of a quadcopter, giving you a first-person, VR-like experience in the real world. The goggles have a couple of screens through which you can see whatever the drone's camera is pointing at. You can even control where the camera is pointed simply by moving your head. While we were able to take a quick test-drive of this immersive headset last summer, the company's been rather coy about sharing specifics. Now, though, DJI has revealed a more detailed set of features for its goggles, as well as information on the new Ronin 2, an image-smoothing gimbal rig for professional filmmakers.
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.
Devon police will establish the UK's first 24/7 drone squad
The Devon and Cornwall Police force is to become the first in the UK with a permanent, 24-hour drone assistance unit. The flying fuzz will be on hand to search for missing persons, seek out suspects and generally provide an eye in the sky whenever needed, gathering intel at crime scenes and responding to road accidents. The dedicated unit, which will also help out police in neighbouring Dorset, is set to launch this summer after a new "drone manager" is hired to oversee the nine sites the coppercopters will operate out of.
Ethan Hawke shot most of his forthcoming biopic with DJI gear
Ethan Hawke's forthcoming biopic, Blaze, sees the actor make the move from center stage to the director's chair. The movie tells the story of the late country and western artist Blaze Foley, and is being filmed in almost entirely with DJI products. That doesn't mean most of the movie is filmed from the air, though. DJI drones are part of the production, but the company's non-flying camera gear, including the Osmo RAW and the Ronin DSLR stabilizer, were used extensively throughout the production. DJI was at SXSW in Austin to talk about its involvement in the film -- all part of its DJI Creative Studio initiative.
DJI's Matrice 200 UAV line is built for work
Until now, consumer drones have been primarily marketed towards hobbyists and filmmakers. At Mobile World Congress in Barcelona on Sunday, DJI revealed their latest drone line, the Matrice 200. These sensor-laden quadcopters are designed with commercial and industrial applications in mind.
