11
Jan
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[Update: Video Added] CES 2012: AR.Drone 2.0 Comes With Enhanced Stability, Beams 720p Video, And Makes Piloting Intuitive

Posted by in Android OS, News, Parrot

The Ar.Drone, an awesome quad-copter by Parrot which we took a close look at back in September, just got a major upgrade. Parrot has unveiled the Ar.Drone 2.0, which brings many revisions (enhancements) to the original concept.

Update: Here's a look at the Ar.Drone 2.0 in action. Watch it flip!

One of the most notable improvements is that the drone's onboard camera can now beam 720p HD video back to your device. Parrot's new control app also makes it easy to record and share flight video. This app, by the way, supports iOS and a wide, wide range of Android devices including phones and tablets.

19
Sep
8qaTRl

Parrot AR.Drone + AR.FreeFlight Control App Review: One Major Flaw Leaves This Bird Grounded

Posted by in Android OS, App Reviews, Applications, Apps/Games, Other Reviews, Reviews

Let's be honest: the Parrot AR.Drone is awesome. It's an awesome idea, it's an awesome design, and we had super high hopes for it. Unfortunately, one huge, massive, undeniable flaw means this bird will spend most of its life on the ground: battery life. It's that bad.

But before I, admittedly sadly, twist that dagger into the heart of this toy, let's go over what it does well - and why we're optimistic about Parrot's future smartphone-controlled vehicles. (Hint: mostly because this thing is so. Much. Fun.)

The Idea

Parrot's AR.Drone is a product we've covered in the past, even before its app was available for Android.

03
Sep
hi-256-0-e2a682f349b4b1f1bbc5f703109cf33a2cfb8984

Parrot's AR.Drone Controller App Finally Released To Market, Special SDK Available Too

Posted by in Applications, News

Remember back in May of last year when we reported on the AR.Drone at Google I/O? The Drone is no doubt an impressive gadget, and even more impressive is the fact that it can be controlled via an app for your Android handset.

The makers of the AR.Drone have finally released the Drone's controller app to the market (for free), simultaneously with a special SDK allowing users to "create new applications dedicated to the AR.Drone on the Android platform."

The app connects to the quadricopter via Wi-Fi and allows complete control of the peripheral right from the screen of your device.

27
May
The Awesome Android Controlled Parrot AR Drone Release Date And Price To Be Announced On June 15th At E3

The Awesome Android Controlled Parrot AR Drone Release Date And Price To Be Announced On June 15th At E3

Posted by in News, Videos

Remember this demo I posted from the Google I/O of the amazingly stable flying drone sporting 2 video cameras on-board? The one you can remotely control with your Android phone?

Let me remind you:

As there was no price for this future Christmas gift list topper announced yet besides the "couple hundred dollars" range, all we could do was guess.

However, now we won't have to guess for too long - Parrot, the maker of this drone, has published on their Facebook page that the official release date and price will be announced at the E3 conference in less than 3 weeks - June 15th, 2010:

We’re happy to announce that Parrot AR.DRONE US street price and release date will be revealed at E3, June 15th.

20
May
And The Coolest Gadget Of Google I/O Award Goes To… AR Drone. [Video + Pics, Google I/O Blitz Coverage, Day 1]

And The Coolest Gadget Of Google I/O Award Goes To… AR Drone. [Video + Pics, Google I/O Blitz Coverage, Day 1]

Posted by in News, Videos

Due to the amount of information crammed into day 1 of the Google I/O conference, I am blitzing through everything that happened, keeping it short and to the point.

Right next to the Chevy Volt, which, by the way, is quite a looker, I saw a couple of guys playing with odd flying machines, called AR Drones. After spending a few minutes talking to them, we got a nice lengthy demo, and let me tell you, this flying monster is beyond cool.

  • AR Drone is a flying RC type UFO looking thing
  • here is the kicker: it is controlled by your Android phone (here they used a Nexus One)
  • you touch the screen and tilt the phone, which controls the direction of where your AR Drone flies
  • it uses Adhoc WiFi, which doesn't require a router and can be used freely in an open field
  • check this out: the AR Drone has dual video cameras which transmit the live feed to the Android phone that is controlling it
  • the covers are interchangeable, so you can have different looking drones
  • the price is unknown and will be "a couple hundred bucks"

Check out the pics and the videos I took below:

And The Coolest Gadget Of Google I/O Award Goes To… AR Drone. [Video + Pics, Google I/O Blitz Coverage, Day 1] And The Coolest Gadget Of Google I/O Award Goes To… AR Drone. [Video + Pics, Google I/O Blitz Coverage, Day 1]

And The Coolest Gadget Of Google I/O Award Goes To… AR Drone. [Video + Pics, Google I/O Blitz Coverage, Day 1] And The Coolest Gadget Of Google I/O Award Goes To… AR Drone. [Video + Pics, Google I/O Blitz Coverage, Day 1]

And The Coolest Gadget Of Google I/O Award Goes To… AR Drone. [Video + Pics, Google I/O Blitz Coverage, Day 1] And The Coolest Gadget Of Google I/O Award Goes To… AR Drone. [Video + Pics, Google I/O Blitz Coverage, Day 1]

And The Coolest Gadget Of Google I/O Award Goes To… AR Drone. [Video + Pics, Google I/O Blitz Coverage, Day 1] And The Coolest Gadget Of Google I/O Award Goes To… AR Drone. [Video + Pics, Google I/O Blitz Coverage, Day 1]

The last shot, which I took after I had already left the demo, is quite hilarious - the constant buzzing above my head made me come back to the AR Drone table and witness the drone glued to the ceiling, trying desperately to fly away, without any desire to come down.