3DR Solo App Hits iTunes

The frenzy that has surrounded the release of the world’s first intelligent drone has reached near fever pitch in the last week.

With robust pre-order sales, the faithful have queued up and their patience has been put to the test with some delays tempering their seemingly boundless joy. One critical component, the gimbal has been delayed till July, but the majority feel it will all be worth the wait. You can, after all, practice your flying without it.

But for a device whose expressed purpose in life are the enhanced photography features, the additional wait time is agony.

The 3DR Solo is the first drone system to be equipped with a Linux computer on both the drone and the controller. But what could be the most amazing part is the ability to exert control over the entire system using you iOS or Android device.

In fact, the device is so geared towards using one of these phones or tablet that the Solo Controller comes with a built in holder.

3DR has integrated the FPV (First Person View) experience by incorporating it into the new Solo App. With that in place you will be able to not only control your GoPro Hero (record, pause even changing video and still modes and frame rates), but you will be able to see what your camera sees. This system integration blends beautifully with the on screen information. It is a vast improvement from earlier systems where you had to dart your eyes to different screens and the controller to see what was happening in your flight. This synthesis of technology empowers you to enjoy true participation in the flight.

The 3DR Solo app is designed specifically for use with Solo and includes:

1. Live wireless HD view from your GoPro (required) and on-screen flight information
2. Access to flight settings and satellite map view
3. Smart Shots: one-touch cinematic shot creation

•  Cable Cam
•  Orbit
•  Follow
•  Selfie

4. Flight school with tutorial videos on how to fly
5. Real-time recording to camera roll
6. In-app customer support lets you wirelessly submit service tickets
7. Wirelessly updates your entire Solo system

 

Here are some exclusive screen shots from the Solo app on my iPhone 5S. Notice there are valuable safety tips throughout the app.

 

But which devices are compatible?

Well, for iOS, if you own an iPad 4 (like me) or an iPhone 4S (my wife), you’re out of luck. But if you have an iPhone 5S, iPad Air or better, you are good to go. Here is the complete list.

 

Compatibility

Requires iOS 8.0 or later. Compatible with iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPad Air, iPad Air Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad mini 2, iPad mini 2 Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad Air 2, iPad Air 2 Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad mini 3, and iPad mini 3 Wi-Fi + Cellular. This app is optimized for iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, and iPhone 6 Plus.

We will have to wait another day or so to get the Android specs as the app will post on the sixth on Google Play Store.

Recent events in the news of careless and sometimes down-right stupid flying of drones has made the efforts to loosen the FAA restrictions even more challenging. The US public has been dosed with paranoia about security, safety and privacy concerns.

 

The truth is that the majority of drone flying enthusiasts are safety conscious and responsible people.

But when the news cycle is slow, the media outlets love to create a frenzy by sensationalizing these few exploits of the common sense challenged out there. I’m not convinced that you really need a pilot’s license to fly a drone as much as we need to issue a common sense license first.