Delivering live, immersive video from its unique 180-degree tilting camera to the included Cockpit glasses, the ANAFI FPV puts you in the cockpit of Parrot’s fast, nimble, and ultraportable ANAFI drone.

The Parrot ANAFI FPV offers pilots beautiful and thrilling immersive experiences, in-depth manual controls for both piloting and imaging.

The quadcopter also boasts 4K HDR video and 21-megapixel images, easy-to-use modes and presets, effortless portability, long battery life, on the go USB-C charging and best-in-class features.

Innovation + Immersion

To unleash the ultimate immersive experience, pair your smartphone to ANAFI FPV with the FreeFlight 6.6 app, and place your phone in the included Cockpit glasses. Once you’re wearing the glasses and launch the AFAFI FPV, the unique 180-degree tilting camera – with 3-axis stabilisation and 3X zoom – will provide an exhilarating view at speeds of up to 31 mph (50 km/h).

ANAFI FPV’s brand-new FPV interface in FreeFlight 6.6 is a simple, streamlined heads-up display (HUD) with an immersive, unobstructed view of your aerial acrobatics. Additionally, any safety alerts or geofencing limits are automatically highlighted in your field of view.

The main FPV HUD shows contextual information, such as flight speed, direction, altitude and drone location. However, by clicking a button on top of the Cockpitglasses, you can easily swap to a minimal HUD interface. Doing so means you can fully immerse yourself into the FPV experience.

You can even find your ANAFI in mid-air without removing the Cockpit glasses: Switch to See-Through View, and you’ll see live video from your smartphone camera. An overlay shows the exact position of your drone. Moreover, if your ANAFI is off-screen, an icon points to its location.

The new standard for aerial photography

ANAFI FPV is so much more than incredibly fun. The camera experience is a new paradigm for aerial photographers and videographers. The full array of ANAFI’s manual camera settings are available in FPV mode – but only when you want to see them.

Photographers can enjoy total immersion in the on-screen image, exploring new techniques for shot composition – then seamlessly toggle into deep image controls to fine-tune photos and videos.

Clicking the button on Cockpitglasses and opening the settings menu offers you fully manual settings such as shutter speed, ISO, white balance, and exposure compensation. Also, there are advanced features such as an image histogram and “zebra” exposure assistance overlay.

Fast access to manual settings can also be accomplished with the Skycontroller 3, which supports custom mapping of the right trigger to adjust exposure.

Video

Two new flight presets join ANAFI’s menu of options, designed to help pilots of every level capture stunning videos with ease.

Available in FreeFlight 6.6, the new additions allow ANAFI FPV pilots to expand their creativity at the tap of a touchscreen.

Cinematic preset

With the Cinematic preset, you can capture smooth and dramatic footage that looks like you’re behind the controls of a glider. The horizontal axis of the 4K HDR camera is locked to the tilt of the drone, and footage shows every majestic bank and turn in your flight.

Racing preset

While the Cinematic preset is built for stable and fluid motion, the Racing preset will get your adrenaline pumping! The horizontal axis is also locked to the tilt of your drone, but this preset is built for speed instead of smoothness: Your videos will have a more aggressive look as ANAFI bobs and weaves through the air at high speed.

Arcade Mode

Along with the launch of ANAFI FPV, FreeFlight 6.6 also introduces Arcade Mode.

In Arcade Mode, flying is as simple as pointing the camera in the right direction. The Skycontroller 3’s left joystick controls the camera, which allows you to view in any direction, while the right joystick controls the movement of the drone.

By holding forward on the right joystick, the drone will travel in the direction the camera is pointed.

Birds Eye View

The new presets and flight mode can also be used in combination to capture stunning results. For example, using the Cinematic preset and Arcade Mode together make it incredibly simple to simulate a “bird’s eye view” as it soars and swoops through the air.

Portable

Built for any time, anywhere, ANAFI’s ultraportable drone platform included a brand new ANAFI Backpack. The pack doubles as a stable platform to prepare and launch your drone right in front of you. So, you no longer need to put your drone down on snow-covered slopes, mud and dirt, or rugged terrain as you prepare for launch.

The new backpack extends ANAFI FPV as the ultimate go-anywhere drone. ANAFI FPV’s one-of-a-kind folding design, lightweight body, and superb battery life with USB-C charging on the go complement its outstanding image quality, easy-to-use modes and presets, versatile manual controls, and groundbreaking immersive experiences.

Pricing and availability

The ANAFI FPV All-In-One Pack includes and ANAFI FPV quadcopter drone, battery, Skycontroller 3, Cockpitglasses 3, 16gb SD memory card, USB-C cable, extra set of propellers and ANAFI FPV backpack.

The cost for all of that in the AIO Pack is £729.99 and it’s available now.

The post Parrot ANAFI FPV Launched at IFA 2019 appeared first on GadgetyNews.

Well, we called it. Parrot has finally unveiled the Anafi. Moreover, this new drone clearly targeted at DJI’s Mavic line.

The French flying tech company say that their new portable UAV is the product of two years of development and a “wish list of user feedback and a biomimetic design inspired by insects.”

Parrot Anafi 4K drone

It is difficult not to compare the Anafi with the Mavic. Firstly, the new 0.7-pound Parrot drone is foldable. This is one thing that I really love about the DJI device. This allows photographers to be able to stash it away along with the rest of their equipment for travel. It also means that you can just stuff it in your jacket pocket or small bag.

Secondly, there’s a 4K HDR camera on-board, and a 21-megapixel still unit mounted on a gimbal.

Parrot tells us that the battery should last around 25 minutes in flight, which is pretty decent. If you are planning on spending a day out flying capturing scenes, you can swap the dead cell with additional batteries. Additionally, you can recharge the drone via USB-C using regular phone chargers or by plugging it in to your car power port.

The company also claims the drone is the quietest in its class. It’s not silent, of course, but that buzzing lawn mower sound has been reduced by about a third compared to earlier models from the company.

Control

The drone has a controller that plugs into an iPhone or Android device, for touchscreen visualisations via the FreeFlight 6 app.

Just like the Mavic line, there’s a number of different control modes focused on capturing different camera content, including an option for following a subject. Naturally, it of course has a selfie mode.

Video

• 4K Cinema: 24 fps
• 4K UHD: 24, 25, 30 fps
• 1080p: 24, 25, 30, 48, 50 or 60 fps

Clever Wi-Fi

Each foot of Anafi is equipped with a dual-band antenna (2.4GHz and 5GHz). This ensures optimal connection with the Parrot Skycontroller 3 regardless of the orientation of the drone.

This omnidirectional transmission system uses Wi-Fi compliant protocols developed by Parrot.

The drone constantly monitors its Wi-Fi environment in order to switch to another channel when the one it uses is too crowded. This guarantees optimal spectrum utilisation performance and allows Anafi to fly up to 4kms without interference, keeping video transmission.

Price and availability

The price should get DJI worried. Parrot are asking £650 for the Anafi. That’s £120 less than the Mavic Air.

The Anafi is due out July 1st from Parrot, Amazon and “selected retailers.”

The post Parrot Anafi folding 4K drone challenges Mavic appeared first on GadgetyNews.

Parrot has given us a heads-up ahead of their announcement this week which will take place on June 6th.

Parrot is all set to launch their newest addition to their drone inventory this week.

Naturally, the French drone manufacturer has only made vague hints on their website and social media as to what we can expect.

However, there has been much speculation and the rumour-mill will continue over the next couple of days. Although, we’ll have a look at what we have so far.

Parrot countdown

On the company’s main website, visitors are first greeted with a countdown. This is joined by green LED lights presumably representing a charging or flashing drone.

This animation and D-day countdown is also currently pinned to the top of their twitter account. So, there’s definitely something on its way.

All very mysterious indeed.

Earlier this year

On April 1st this year the company posted an image of a new drone asking for input to their R&D by followers.

Here is the the poster showing a drone for all weathers with the quote.

Hard to adapt to climate changes due to global warming … Help our R&D department to choose the new feature of our next drone! So, rather #SunBop or #RainBop?

Background

Parrot did make announcements back in March last year saying that it was intending to diverge from large scale consumer drone production in the light of global domination by China’s DJI.

Since then, the company has released upgrades on current consumer models in the high-end ‘prosumer’ arena, as well as a new model aimed at the precision agriculture market.

First they gave the popular Bebop-Pro and fixed-wing Disco drones some useful new features including thermal imaging and 3D cameras.

The Parrot Bebop-Pro 3D Modeling kit includes a Bebop 2 drone and 12 month licence to use Pix4DModel 3D modelling software and is aimed at architects, builders, real estate agencies and the like.

The Disco-Pro AG, as its name suggests, presents itself as a ‘all-in-one drone solution’ for precision agriculture. It was handed the multispectral sensor Parrot Seqouia and cloud processing via AIRINOV FIRST+.

These were followed up by the Bebop-Pro Thermal and Parrot Bluegrass. Again the Bebop-Pro Thermal is aimed at the architecture and real estate market, as well as firefighters. It not only sports a front HD camera but also a FLIR One Pro thermal imaging camera, as well as access to the FreeFlight Thermal mobile app.

The Parrot Bluegrass also features Parrot Seqouia and AIRINOV FIRST+, but in addition to distinguishing itself as a quadcopter from the fixed-wing Disco-Pro AG, it includes 1 month’s access to Pix4Dag drone mapping software for precision agriculture.

To complete their positioning in the commercial drone space, Parrot then took SenseFly under their wing, including the Inspection 360 and Ag 360.

In the same year, Parrot also released a low price Mambo FPV cleverly aimed at the drone racing market.

All in all a big year for Parrot.

So, the new drone

OK, so the big question is what will the new drone look like?

Most people seem to think that the new release will be the much anticipated Bebop 3. Moreover, that April Fool’s Sunbop vs Rainbop post could be the clue. Perhaps the new flying camera will be weatherproofed?

The Parrot community has been asking for new features to be added to the Bebop 2 for quite a while now. Funnily enough, this includes front navigation lights. A tie-in to the countdown animation?

My only gripe with the BeBop 3 scenario is that Parrot has been focusing in the commercial drone space. Why would they add a new Bebop 3, other to keep their hand in?

The only answer I can come up with is that they have a really good consumer drone ready for the world.

Could Parrot have a Mavic Air killer on its way? This would certainly shake things up. Let’s face it, if there was a drone brand out there to pull this off, Parrot would be my bet.

At the end of all of that, all we can say is, #ItsComing. Whatever it is.

Stay tuned as I have been promised updates

The post Parrot to announce new drone on June 6th #ItsComing appeared first on GadgetyNews.

Parrot is doing pretty well with its consumer drones. Today it is pushing further into the commercial space with the Bebop-Pro Thermo and Bluegrass.

These two new drones join Parrot’s Professional range and are aimed at specific targets – firefighters and farmers.

The Bebop-Pro Termo and Bluegras join the likes of the Disco-Pro AG and Bebop-Pro 3D Modeling.

It certainly does look like Parrot is plugging any drone-shaped gap in the market.

Bebop-Pro Thermo

The Bebop-Pro Thermo is based, obviously, on the updated version of the Bebop drone.

Equipped with a 14MP camera, the drone is also loaded with a Flir One Pro thermal imaging camera.

Parrot points out that this is just the thing to be used in construction and rescue services.

The drone can fly for 25 minutes and the package includes 3 batteries, a Skycontroller 2 controller and a backpack.

Parrot Bluegrass

The Parrot Bluegrass is an all-new drone design from Parrot.

This quadcopter can cover 30 hectares at 70 m / 230 ft. flight altitude per battery.

The Bluegrass is equipped with a HD camera as well as a special sensor developed by Parrot. That sensor can provide an overview and detect problem areas in all types of crop fields.

Called the Parrot Sequoia, this is a multispectral sensor specifically developed for crops and can record images of crops in four distinct spectral bands. Sounds pretty clever.

The Bluegrass comes with software that enables farmers to set an autonomous flight path over a plot of land.

Parrot says that all the user has to do is set field boundaries and select the types of crops and the drone and software does the rest. Naturally, it can also be piloted manually.

Prices and availability

Both drones will be available in November 2017

Prices:

• Bluegrass – £4,500 (with 1 year software license)
• Thermo – £1,350

The post Parrot drones arrive for farmers and firefighters appeared first on GadgetyNews.

Parrot has released an upgraded version of its Bebop 2 drone. This one boasts 1 hour of flying time and fittingly named Bebop 2 Power.

Following on from the Mambo FPV news last week, Parrot has announced that Bebop 2 has increased stamina.

The Bebop 2 Power features tweaked software and hardware. But, the main selling point is the power stored in its batteries.

The Bebop 2 Power claims to have an hour’s worth of fly time. Just take a look around at similarly priced domestic drones and you’ll see that this is way beyond any competitors.

Beop 2 Power

Now, an hour of uninterrupted flight would be fantastic. Unfortunately, it is still fantasy.

A single battery will last for half an hour, and you get two batteries in the pack. So, you do get an hour’s worth of flight but with a quick refuel.

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However, that is still a decent amount of drone time catpturing HD video.

That footage does look great too. This is thanks to its 3 axis digital stabilisation patented technology. This provides unrivalled stabilised images, reducing vibrations and aliasing effects. Its CMOS 1/2,3-inch 14MPX sensor allows you to film in Full HD 30fps and to take JPEG and Adobe DNG Raw formats for retouching via a post-production process.

New additions

Upgrades to the drone’s learning technology means that you can take beautifully smooth and stable video.

With smartphone controls, a simple tap of the screen lets you choose the focus of the image, then select from a range of different video modes. You will be rewarded with cinematic videos.

There are some new additions to the shooting modes too.

Shooting modes

Tornado will rotate around you for that Michael Bay ‘spinning around the protagonist’ shot that you never knew you needed.

Add in Orbit, Parabola or Boomerang modes and you have all the visual effects you’ll want.

Sport Mode

If you have a need for speed, then the Power has a Sport Mode that lets you reach speeds of 65km/h and get some satisfying tilt during turns.

The Bebop Power 2 also comes with Parrot’s FPV headset which gives you a first person view from the drone.

Before you start wondering how much all these extras are going to cost, sit down.

Everything you need is already in the bundle.

Price and availability

The full bundle, containing the drone, two batteries, the Parrot Skycontroller 2 and the FPV headset is available now for £629

The post Bebop 2 Power drone: 60 mins flying time appeared first on GadgetyNews.

Last year I took control of the Parrot Mambo. Now you can convert it in to a unique FPV racer experience.

The Parrot Mambo gets new skills thanks to the introduction of an FPV HD camera. It is also packing the all new Parrot Cockpitglasses 2 (FPV goggles) and accompanying Parrot Flypad piloting controller.

The Parrot Mambo FPV opens the pilot to an exciting world of fully immersive, drone racing experiences.

Furthermore, it is perfect to fly indoors as well as out in the garden. The Parrot Mambo FPV transforms its environment into a giant playground – turning everyday items around the home into obstacles and racetracks.

It also comes fully equipped with a range of brand new piloting modes. These will help you to perfect your skills before a big race.

The Parrot Mambo FPV creates an all new flying experience, putting you at the heart of the cockpit, and into the role of the drone’s pilot!

Miniature HD Camera for live streaming and video recording

The HD camera (120° FOV) easily attaches to the top of the Parrot Mambo FPV drone using Smart Block technology. Shove in your microSD card and record pictures and video footage.

The drone’s view is transmitted to an inserted smartphone. Great for a bird’s eye view when exploring your surroundings and creating short videos (720p format). You can also share your shots with friends.

Additionally, thanks to the live streaming feature and the Parrot Cockpitglasses 2, the immersive flight experience is at the control of the pilot.

Check out our hands-on with the Parrot Mambo and Swing

Parrot Cockpitglasses 2

Insert your smartphone into the Parrot Cockpitglasses 2, and you are away. The glasses themselves are compact, lightweight and foldable.

Their innovative design is comfortable as well as offering an optimal immersive optical experience. This is achieved by the glasses adjustable interpupillary distance and a wide 96° field of view.

When worn, you are fully immersed at the heart of action. Enjoy the excitement of soaring through doorways and weaving between furniture.

Your surroundings will pass before your eyes as you enjoy every second of each incredible flight.

Expert or beginner pilots, everyone has their own style

Mambo is a quadcopter that offers awesome flight stability.

The Parrot Mambo embeds the highest performing technologies and an ultra-powerful autopilot. Quick and agile, it delivers bursts of speeds of up to 30km/h – and as an expert of stunt flying, a range of airborne acrobatics!

Easy to handle and agile, the drone comes with three piloting modes especially designed to suit all skillsets – from beginner to expert.

Easy

The ideal mode for those at the early stages of piloting a drone. Everything is under control in this mode, making sure that the Parrot Mambo is stabilised both horizontally and vertically – and the autopilot assists you on each maneuver.

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Drift

The horizontal stabilization is disconnected. The Parrot Mambo flies with quick precision and performs sharp turns – creating a truly dynamic piloting experience.

Racing

Finally, this is the ultimate race mode. The autopilot is completely disconnected and piloting is at your complete control. The Parrot Mambo in Racing Mode doesn’t provide any assistance, stability is completely managed by you, and all the flight settings are in your experienced hands.

Parrot Flypad, high-precision performance

Piloting via the FreeFlight Mini app, Parrot Mambo FPV is also equipped, as a standard, with the Parrot Flypad controller.

It offers precise piloting thanks to the customisable joystick and button controls, with an accompanying reach of up to 100 meters.

Parrot Mambo FPV includes a new Power battery, offering up to 10 minutes of flight time in one charge (without accessory).

Price and availability

Parrot Mambo FPV will be available later this month at Argos, Currys, Amazon.co.uk and at parrot.com.

MSRP: £159

The post Parrot Mambo FPV brings drone racing home appeared first on GadgetyNews.

We have written about Parrot’s Disco drone a few times. Now, the company has created an offer especially designed for both beginner and expert model aircraft enthusiasts.

It might be a little off-putting if you have clocked up loads of hours flying radio-controlled aircraft only to see someone pick up a clever drone and fly like a pro.

Likewise, experienced flyers might not want to fly someone that, in essence, takes the fun/risk out of the equation. Much like the way skilled drivers will switch off all the smart driving assistance tech.

Disco for pros and beginners

Parrot now allows experts and enthusiasts to connect their own RC transmitter (SBus, Sumd or CPPM protocols) to the Parrot Disco and take total control of the fixed-wing drone in RC.

Piloting modes

Two piloting modes are now available, perfect for any level of experience.

Furthermore, you will be able to switch from one mode to another very easily and at any time while flying.

Assisted Mode:

Firstly, this is the mode for beginners and hobbyists who want to get into piloting a fixed-wing.

In this mode, you get the unmatched computing power and advanced autopilot offered by Parrot C.H.U.C.K. This secures each phase of the flight, from take-off to landing.

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Parrot C.H.U.C.K. collects and analyses data from numerous sensors such as Pitot Tube (air speed), inertial navigation system, and GNSS module. With this information it adapts the parameters of the flight to prevent stalling when the pilot makes a critical manoeuver.

Using the FreeFlight Pro app for smartphones and tablets on iOS/Android, you are able to accesses the calibration tool for the controller. Here you can customise each button and joystick.

Not only that, you can adjust the settings of the Parrot Disco. For instance, define a flying area (maximum altitude, minimum altitude and distance) and so activate a geofence.

For optimum safety, the ‘Return Home’ feature makes it possible for Parrot Disco to automatically return above its take-off position.

Manual Mode:

Secondly, this is the one for model aircraft experts.

Selecting Manuel Mode, the Parrot C.H.U.C.K. (Control Hub & Universal Computer for Kit) is deactivated.

The aircraft’s stability, speed optimisation, and flight altitude are fully controlled by the pilot from their radio controller.

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This hands total control to you without any flight assistance. Furthermore, this means it’s now down to you and your own ability to perform stunts and aerial acrobatics.

However, if things get a bit hairy out there, you can switch to the assisted piloted mode at any time.

Parrot Disco camera

Additionally, the drone’s front-mounted full HD 14MP camera will record each flight. Images are automatically stored on the fixed-wing’s 32 GB Flash memory and can be downloaded, watched and shared.

Price and availability

The Parrot Disco fixed wing drone comes with one battery. This offers up to 45min flight time.

It is available from June 2017 at parrot.com with a MSRP of £699.99

The post Parrot Disco drone adds expert manual flying mode appeared first on GadgetyNews.

Parrot has announced limited edition Parrot Bebop 2 and Parrot Disco Adventurer packs. Get out and about with these excellent drones.

Both Adventurer packs are tailor made to meet the demands of a new generation of explorer.

They are equipped with lightweight, ergonomic backpacks that include all of the flying essentials.

Parrot Bebop 2 Adventurer

Lightweight (500 gr), ultra-compact and easy to carry. Even more-so with the specially designed, Adventurer backpack.

The Parrot Bebop 2 is ideal for the great outdoors.

Equipped with a number of sensors, Parrot Bebop 2 can be piloted easily via the Parrot FreeFlight Pro app or Parrot Skycontroller remote control for more accurate handling.

The drone’s flight stability and maneuverability are impressive. Reaching speeds of up to 60km/h and offering up to 25 minutes of flight time.

Capture your exploits in full HD

Parrot Bebop 2 is equipped with a 14MP front camera with a fish-eye lens. This captures your flight in Full HD videos and photographs, without distortion.

Want to take to the skies and discover a bird’s eye view of the world with an adventure partner? Place the FPV Parrot Cockpitglasses on and enjoy the spectacle!

Follow me

The all in one Parrot Bebop 2 Adventurer pack enables you to benefit from Parrot Follow Me GPS and visual tracking app.

Whether you’re participating in sports or activities such as running, climbing, mountain biking, the Bebop will shadow you.

You could even just use it to take a ‘Dronie’ – a drone-assisted selfie.

The ‘Follow Me’ feature keeps you at the centre of the image. To capture recorded videos, the app gives access to pre-registered movements – including Zenith, Orbit, Parabola, Boomerang and more.

Parrot Disco Adventurer

With its delta wing fuselage, Parrot Disco offers an extraordinary flying experience.

Lightweight (750gr) and compact, the drone can be piloted easily with the Skycontroller 2 remote control and offers up to 2km range.

Its autopilot feature manages the Parrot Disco’s take-off and landing autonomously. Furthermore, it assists you during the entire flight – ensuring you can be focused on enjoying the flying experience.

Its engine power and the unique aerodynamic wings allow the Parrot Disco to reach impressive speeds of 80km/.

Battery life is up to 45 minutes.

Explore

During your flight, the front 14MP Full HD camera will live stream via a connected tablet or smartphone.

For a more intense experience, wear the Parrot Cockpitglasses FPV goggles, and you’ll be immersed at the heart of the action.

Each turn, each nosedive, each acceleration of the Disco will give you an adrenaline rush.

Create perfect flights

Parrot Disco Adventurer Pack comes with the Flight Plan app to create tailor made flight paths.

Choose a map and select the different points to be followed by the drone. Then, adjust the flight altitude and the camera settings – including video recording, angle of the camera, etc.

The flight plan can also be set before going to the area selected to perform the flight.

Once on site, let the Disco take-off and it will follow the path you defined. You can save your flight plans on the app and you can adjust or change the entire path, or only few parts, and repeat the flight as you wish.

After a flight, remove the Parrot Disco wings and place the drone, including all accessories, into the dedicated backpack.

Price and availability

The limited edition Parrot Bebop 2 Adventurer pack has a MSRP of £519.99.

You can pick up the limited edition Parrot Disco Adventurer pack for a MSRP of £879.99.

Both are available from June 2017 in stores and at parrot.com.

The post Parrot Bebop and Disco Adventurer packs announced appeared first on GadgetyNews.

Drones are definitely in this year. Thankfully there are plenty of scope for skill levels and present allowance.

It’s not all drones though, there’s other gadgety goodness to add to your last minute Santa wish list.

We might not have reviewed many tech toys over the last 12 months but we’ve been hands-on whenever we could.

The View-Master VR starter kit is good value for money, and works as a Google Cardboard viewer.

The drones from Revell Control are good value but could land less accomplished flyers in to problems.

Parrot Mambo and Swing

Here’s a two-for-once choice. Yeah, you have to buy one at a time but I met these together so I can’t split them up.

Mambo comes with attachments so that you can fire BB pellets or use a grabber. Much fun.

Swing is the sports model as it can go from quadcopter to practically X-Wing Fighter at the touch of a shoulder button.

What they both have in common is the tech to make them easy and fun to fly.

Price: Mambo – £100 (inc. cannon and grabber) | Swing – £120 (inc. controller)

Read our first look here.

Propel Star Wars Battle drones

Certainly one to add to your wants, even though they will be thin on the ground. Definitely fun, definitely collectable.

These drones are nimble, look excellent and fire frikken lasers!

The Millennium Falcon arrives next year with a higher top speed than the X-Wing, Speeder Bike or TIE Fighter. So, if you aren’t able to get one for Christmas, you should have a better choice in the New Year.

Price: £230

Read our Propel Star Wars drones hands-on here.

Anki Overdrive Supertrucks

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I told you it wasn’t all drones. Anki Overdrive is great fun. This year the clever cars with artificial intelligence have bigger, badder buddies.

Supertrucks have rumbled on to the scene and bring with them new challenges and games.

They might not be able to jump gaps, but they’re worth it for the Takeover Battle alone in my opinion.

You will need the Anki Overdrive starter kit which supplies you with track and two cars, but you won’t regret it.

Read our Supertrucks review here.

The post Top tech toys for Christmas 2016 appeared first on GadgetyNews.

Parrot has launched an accurate and reliable ‘follow me’ in-app feature with an industry-first application of visual tracking. With this new feature, Parrot Bebop 2 follows you everywhere and keeps you in the centre of the action.

Parrot Bebop 2 pilots will benefit from an enhanced experience thanks to new tracking features released in the app.

Parrot has launched its new ‘follow me’ feature. This new feature works by using visual tracking in conjunction with the piloting smartphone’s GPS and barometer.

No matter what you’re doing, Parrot Bebop 2 will follow you and keep you in the frame.

Most accurate ‘follow me’ app

The new tracking feature within the FreeFlight Pro app is the most accurate and reliable on the market. Developed by Parrot, the ‘follow me’ feature combines three parameters: visual tracking, smartphone GPS, and barometer.

Advanced visual tracking algorithms

Designed to act like the human eye, the drone’s camera can isolate colours and shapes against its environment. This equates to more accurate framing (less than one meter).

The smartphone’s GPS determines the position with a precision of up to 5 meters. The barometer optimises the vertical tracking of the subject.
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Film your adventures like a professional!

The ‘follow me’ feature developed by Parrot provides two modes of operation:

Auto Follow: you are the main subject

Once airborne, using the app interface, you can set the flight altitude and distance from the subject (5 meters as a minimum). Not only that, you can select the video angle and identify yourself as the subject to track. Once the settings are locked, you no longer need your phone.

Walk, run, or cycle… The drone will pilot itself, and shadow you, keeping you at the center of the frame.

Are you a climbing or mountain biking fan? Easy! The barometer will activate the ‘Climb’ mode which will reinforce the precision of the tracking and will adjust the flight altitude in real time.

Over-piloting

At any time, using your smartphone, you can adjust the flight altitude, distance between you and the drone and the camera angle.

Auto Follow mode functionalities include:

Perfect Side

Determine the shooting angle (from the front, back, right/left side; ¾) and the Parrot Bebop 2 will follow you and film your journey whilst determining the shooting angle. Wherever you go, wherever you move.

Magic Dronies

Select one of the pre-programmed movements to take ‘dronies’ like a professional;

• Orbit: the drone performs a 360° circle around you
• Parabola: the drone performs a parabola over you (rises 10 meters high above departure altitude in an arch, keeping you in the center of the frame)
• Boomerang: the drone moves forward and goes back 30 meters, moving on the axis of the camera
• Zenith: the drone moves forward and climbs to 15 meters high above its departure altitude, before going back to its position, keeping you at the center of the frame.

Auto Framing: you are the film director

In this mode, the app uses advanced visual tracking algorithms to keep the target at the center of the frame.

You pilot the drone and, without intervention, the angle of the Bebop 2 camera is adjusted. Thus providing you with perfect framing of your target.

When the drone is managing a stationary flight, the angle of the camera is readjusted and the Bebop 2 will rotate on its axis, following the subject and maintaining the frame.

Availability

The new ‘follow me’ feature with GPS and visual tracking by Parrot is available for iOS within the FreeFlight Pro application as an in-app purchase: £14.99 (after a 15 day free trial).

There will be an Android version available in December.

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