Every firmware drop, every FCC filing, every leak out of Shenzhen. DJI is the most-covered drone maker on DroneXL — this is the desk that watches them.
In this week's US drone news update, I cover the DARPA Lift Challenge results, a drone-delivered defibrillator that saved a man's life in Sweden, and the FCC proposal that could pull already-approved DJI drones like the Mini 5 Pro and Air 3S off the shelves.
The DJI Mavic 4 Pro Creator Combo is selling for $3,500 on Amazon, a $499 cut from list. Deal sites call it a record low. DroneXL's archive says the same combo hit $3,400 in June. And the FCC's pending LiDAR proposal reaches this drone, which matters more than the last $100.
DJI put the Osmo 360 II on sale in China at 3,299 yuan, about $460, with native 8K60 panoramic video, swappable lenses, and 105GB of storage — while its US store answers the launch with a 404 page.
I expected a blowout between DJI's Osmo Pocket 4P and the Insta360 Luna Ultra. Instead, the real separation came down to D-Log 2, slow motion in log, two very different remotes — and where you can actually buy one.
Sen. John Kennedy told the FCC's own lawyer the agency scares him. He meant television. Drone pilots staring down Docket 26-189 know the feeling.
Cameras on the Royal Navy's K3 Scout sea drones sent heartbeat signals to a Chinese IP address. Kraken says the units were NDAA-compliant.
DJI is urging drone operators to file FCC comments before September 2 as the agency weighs cutting off imports and sales of previously approved drones with thermal, LiDAR, spray, and docking capabilities.
DJI opened reservations for the Osmo 360 II in China on August 7 and confirmed an August 13 launch. Swappable lenses answer the first generation's loudest complaint — and the US still has no price or date.
Firmware drops, FCC filings, leaks, rumors — the DJI desk is the busiest one in the DroneXL newsroom.
