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
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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
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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.

24
Aug
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Parrot ASTEROID, The World's First Android-Powered Car Unit, Launches This October For $349

Posted by in Asteroid, News, Parrot

We've been fascinated with the Parrot ASTEROID ever since we first saw it at CES, but as the company has missed its Q2 deadline and let out nary a peep about the Android-powered car unit in the last seven months, we were starting to get concerned about our chances of seeing it hit the market.

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Fortunately, Parrot quenched our thirst for further information this morning - the AR.Drone manufacturer published an official press release, and the ASTEROID's availability is a mystery no more. The car unit will be available this October for $349, and will pack a 3.2" TFT color (non-touch) screen, 4 USB ports, a jack cable, RCA, and of course a customized version of Android.

05
Jan
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CES 2011: Parrot Introduces An Android-Powered Asteroid Car Stereo [Video]

Posted by in Asteroid, News, Parrot

Last night at the CES Unveiled preview event, I got a chance to see a new product made by Parrot, called Asteroid.

Asteroid is a voice-activated, Android-powered car deck that replaces your existing single DIN car stereo. It has a small non-touch 3.2" color screen, runs on a specialized version of Android (the presenter didn't seem to know which Android version it was based on exactly), is capable of running custom Android apps (SDK for which is coming out later), and can accept a variety of inputs, such as your iPhone, iPod, USB storage, SD card (the left half detaches to reveal the SD slot), Bluetooth, 3.5mm jack, 3G and GPS dongles, and AM/FM/RDS.

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.