Lily (new camera drone thingy)

[The Masked Unit]

https://www.lily.camera/

I wants one so bad! I just need to come up with a more exiting activity to do than having a bit of a walk, in order to make it worthwhile.

[VegaLA]

Yeah...I've been thinking about getting one of these gizmos since when we are on vacation I'm always the one shooting the video footage. Would be nice to have a drone following you around filming your trip. Can't imagine the theme parks would be too pleased with a whole bunch of visitors using these things in a busy public area?
Also does the MIC pick up the sound of the blades ruining any natural sounds or my once in a lifetime hilarious one line reply during conversation?

Stay tuned to find out....

[Dex Sawash]

Does Lily really fit in any backpack?

Yes, we designed Lily to be compact and portable. It weighs less than your average laptop.

That was my major concern. I called shenanigans on the pulling it out of a backpack shot in the video but they covered it.

[mook]

i'd love one too, but all that would happen is i'd attach the tracker to my dog and she'd balls the flying bit up by haring through the woods and crashing the bugger into trees. & i bet it's a $=£ straight conversion.

[Ignatius_S]

... Can't imagine the theme parks would be too pleased with a whole bunch of visitors using these things in a busy public area?...

Good luck with that! I suspect that most, if not all parks, take the line that Disney does – they're prohibited. Additionally, in some cases, it would be illegal due to flight paths of planes. Where it was legal (atm), you would need the drone to be a certain amount of distance from the ground in order, which the Lily ain't going to be able to do with that kind of range. Additionally, there's no built-in avoidance mechanism in this model – using around lots of people I suspect isn't going to be a good idea.

I've been looking to get a drone and when looking into the legality (I have pure motives, honestly!) and out of interest, had looked at different countries – a common theme is that the legally, this is new territory and there will be inevitable changes about what's allowed, what permission you need etc.

...Also does the MIC pick up the sound of the blades ruining any natural sounds or my once in a lifetime hilarious one line reply during conversation?...

They'll definitely pick up the sound of it operating, as they tend to be very noisy. Close enough, sure you'll be able to get conversation but how good, I'm doubtful about.

[Ignatius_S]

...& i bet it's a $=£ straight conversion.

No - they add on $30 for shipping but you're charged in dollars. However, I very much doubt it'll get past customs, so add on another 20% and handling fee.

[The Masked Unit]

Also does the MIC pick up the sound of the blades ruining any natural sounds or my once in a lifetime hilarious one line reply during conversation?

Dunt matter mate, you won't hear it once you've dubbed over the nu-metal cos you'll be doing extreme sports.

[The Boston Crab]

You self indulgent price.

Edit: Sorry, 'prick'.

[lazarou]

I think my favourite new extreme sport is going to be bagging unsecured, laptop-priced consumer electronics at opportune heights.

[VegaLA]

Dunt matter mate, you won't hear it once you've dubbed over the nu-metal cos you'll be doing extreme sports.

I don't do Extreme Sports. Hey - I know...could be useful for escorting the kids to school. Would warn off any Paedos and you could spy on the kids to make sure they go to school instead of bunking off. Result.

[Johnny Textface]

In the dystopian future we'll all have one for company and protection.

[Jamie Oliver is fat]

Won't everyone who buys one of these be kicked to death when they use it?

Considerable risk that potential purchasers should take into account IMO

[VegaLA]

How easy would it be to steal one of these in public while in use? Would it return to the owner the moment it's let loose again? So many questions. That's two for a start.

[lazarou]

I'd imagine it could be possible to spoof the sensor unit with a stronger signal so it just flies away with you instead. Failing that it'd have to have some means of performing a factory reset if you feel more like taking the big-fuck-off-butterfly-net-and-leg-it approach.

Although the more important question is what happens if you get two and put their sensors on each other. Cautious circling or robot punch up?

[mook]

stick the sensor to a passing mobilty scooter and freak the fuck out of the speed freak coffin dodging shitheel driving it.

[Noodle Lizard]

I wouldn't buy this until at least a couple of years after its use has become widespread and all the bugs and other issues have been both identified and sorted out.  It sounds like an absolute fucking nightmare as it is, and I'm sure it doesn't work nearly as well as it does in their demonstration videos (I don't trust those clips at all).  Even the GoPro's still a bit of a pain in the arse considering how straightforward it seems to be, and that's after two or three initially buggy models.

Also, 99% of even the video-making population will have absolutely no need for this.  It's just a fucking thing.  Unless you have a good business in making videos of yourself or others doing skiing or kayaking or whatever, your $500 could be better spent I reckon.