So am I the only one who really doesn't like this?
DJI wants to let anyone with a smartphone monitor nearby drones
The new app will be released in 2020
www.theverge.com
I hope you're right, but did you read the article? It looks very probable and 2020 is right around the corner.It will never happen.
After reading more, seems everybody has to be connected to the app, to be able to access the info. It’s more of a group setup to know where your buddies are. Just connections, not spying? For now it has opt-out. Reads that way to me, I hope.
There are many apps that track airplanes by type, tail number, altitude, ownership, flight plan, etc. A drone is just another type of aircraft. Not surprised this would become an app. There is literally an app for just about everything. The only thing that makes it sound ominous is the "locate the operator with pinpoint accuracy" thing. That being said, I'm pretty sure that if you can see my drone flying it wouldn't take Sherlock Holmes to find me standing out in the field it's flying over or next to. So the app doesn't concern me in the least on that score. What's the concern for you guys? I'm guessing I'm not seeing it from your point of view, but would appreciate a legitimate (and hopefully respectful) discussion on the matter.
My concern is with the small percentage of the public who really really hate drones. Drones are not just another aircraft like a plane. Because people don't jump up and down and accuse airplanes of spying in their windows. I fly my drone safely and legally, but I would prefer not to be pinpoint located. I have seen several comments above saying that no one will know about this app. People have Google at the touch of a button. Everybody on this thread knows about the app and it doesn't even exist yet. How will people know? When people hate drones enough, all they have to do is look and they will find the app instantly.
Are you willing to be seen, in public, flying a drone, or do you try to remain hidden? If you are flying legally, within VLOS, then you are likely to be easily seen if there are people around. And if no one is around then the app is irrelevant anyway.
Sar, I think you're one of the smartest people on this forum but on this I believe you are incorrect. When the Drone is 250 ft in the air the pilot can maintain visual line-of-sight even when there are many buildings, trees, roadways, and other obstructions that make the pilot difficult to spot from someone who is also on the ground. If everybody was 250 feet in the air with the Drone then yes the pilot is easily spotted. If the DJI go 4 app puts in a permission check box that gives the pilot the choice then I'm okay with this, but I should have the choice whether random people can see my location and Telemetry data. It has absolutely nothing to do with flying legally or illegally just the same as I don't want you to track me personally where I go and when I go there even if I'm not breaking the law. It's no one's business and if I don't want to share it I shouldn't have to. Make sense?Are you willing to be seen, in public, flying a drone, or do you try to remain hidden? If you are flying legally, within VLOS, then you are likely to be easily seen if there are people around. And if no one is around then the app is irrelevant anyway.
Please post your home address and personal cell phone number. Thank you. Also when are you leaving your house for extended period Of time? You have nothing to hide right? Thank you. (Sarcasm, of course my friend! ??)Exactly.
Sar, I think you're one of the smartest people on this forum but on this I believe you are incorrect. When the Drone is 250 ft in the air the pilot can maintain visual line-of-sight even when there are many buildings, trees, roadways, and other obstructions that make the pilot difficult to spot from someone who is also on the ground. If everybody was 250 feet in the air with the Drone then yes the pilot is easily spotted. If the DJI go 4 app puts in a permission check box that gives the pilot the choice then I'm okay with this, but I should have the choice whether random people can see my location and Telemetry data. It has absolutely nothing to do with flying legally or illegally just the same as I don't want you to track me personally where I go and when I go there even if I'm not breaking the law. It's no one's business and if I don't want to share it I shouldn't have to. Make sense?
Please post your home address and personal cell phone number. Thank you. Also when are you leaving your house for extended period Of time? You have nothing to hide right? Thank you. (Sarcasm, of course my friend! ??)