djigo
Latest
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 makes it easier to keep your drone out of no-fly zones
DJI's Geospatial Environment Online (GEO) software already kept pilots from flying its drones in "sensitive areas" and now the setup is getting a lot more useful. The UAV maker is making improvements to the system inside of its Go app that's used to control Phantom and Inspire drones. By doing so, DJI gives pilots easy access to its geofencing system that keeps airports, prisons and power plants permanently locked down in addition to temporary restrictions around special events like stadiums and "national security events."
DJI drones can start streaming live aerial videos on Facebook (update)
DJI has updated its Go app to add a feature it promised in April: the capability to stream videos over Facebook Live using compatible drones, including the latest Phantom and Inspire. Sure, you can already stream aerial footage of sprawling landscapes, events and whatever you usually cover on YouTube. But the new feature could help expose your work to even more people -- plus, Facebook's probably the best venue to show your videos to your parents and grandparents. Android users will have to wait a bit for the update to go live, but iOS users can update their apps and access the feature right now (or in the near future). In case you'd rather stream via Twitter, though, compatible DJI drones can do live broadcasts via Periscope, as well. Update: It seems Facebook Live integration isn't live for many iOS users just yet. Since our source is a press release from the company itself, we've reached out to DJI to clear things up. We've been told DJI suddenly had to delay the update's roll out. We'll let you know when we hear more. Update 2: A DJI spokesperson told us the iOS update should be out sometime tonight or tomorrow (May 25th).
DJI Osmo review: A hand-held stabilized camera worthy of its price
Thanks to the rise of small action cameras, camera stabilizers (aka gimbals) are becoming more portable than ever. Amazon has plenty of these coming from random Chinese brands, but most are either poorly designed, or only a partial solution to your problem. For instance, they often lack a handset mount for those who need a live screen. There are also gimbals that use smartphones as the camera, but I've yet to come across one with raving reviews; the current options appear to be more of a nuisance due to their awkward calibration and erratic stabilization. So unless you've tried one and are certain that it works well with your phone, your best bet is to go with a dedicated camera gimbal. In terms of full-featured gimbals, we have only two compelling options so far. The first one is the Aetho's Aeon, which takes a GoPro and has its own display, but it won't arrive until early next year. This leaves us with DJI's latest creation, the Osmo, which we first saw back in January. This device features a 4K camera module similar to the one on the company's flagship drone, the Inspire 1, and it can house your smartphone as a viewfinder on the side. But it isn't just about the hardware, because like the company's drones, the Osmo also has a full-featured companion app for greater versatility. Let's see if this fancy package is worthy of its $649 price.
