Snap announces its first drone, the Pixy

It has almost become a tradition with the Tech giants. The “one more thing” or the last minute announcement often has its small effect. For the Snap Partner Summit 2022, it is the Pixy mini-drone.

Weighing 101 g, battery included, the Pixy is a small companion that fits in the palm of the hand and accompanies the user wherever he goes. With a simple press, the drone rises and follows one of four predefined trajectories:

• Stationary for taking a selfie or group photo
• revelation to gradually gain height and reveal the landscape behind you
• follow-up to accompany you on your travels
• orbit to capture the world around you in 360°

At the end of the flight, the videos are available in Snapchat where a mobile studio is available to apply different effects, lenses or sounds. To capture a video, nothing could be simpler, just turn on the device, choose the flight mode and press the start button. An indicator light will tell you that the device is filming (for a predefined duration in the application).

The characteristics of Pixy

This mini-drone uses rechargeable and replaceable batteries offering the possibility of carrying out from 3 to 11 flights each according to the settings. A full recharge takes an average of 40 minutes, but it is possible to recover 80% of its capacity in about 20 minutes.

The device can capture 12 MP (4000 x 3000) images and shoot 2.7K videos by default with a maximum capture rate of 30 frames per second. The built-in 16 GB memory can store up to 100 videos or 1000 photos, although the primary purpose of the device is to share them quickly on social networks.

Snapchat

Snapchat, a free application available on iOS and Android, or via an internet browser, which allows you to exchange photos and short videos, which have a limited lifespan.

• Version :
  11.75.0.33
• Downloads:
  85
• Release date :
  04/28/2022
• Author :
  Snap Inc.
• Licence :
  Free license
• Categories:
  

  Hobbies – Communication

• Operating system :
  

  Android, Online service All Internet browsers, iOS iPhone / iPad
  

The lower camera is only intended for flight and the manufacturer warns the user. The aircraft is not designed to fly over water (risk of crash due to reflections) and must not be exposed to the weather.

Regarding connectivity, the drone can communicate using Bluetooth Low Energy, but also (as with most mini-drones) via WiFi. It supports the 802.11 B, G, N, AC standards and the 5 GHz band (which will be reserved for indoor flights due to its lower range).

The device is compatible with iPhone from model 7 (iOS 14 or higher required), as well as Android smartphones (version 8.0 or higher).

Snap offers two versions of its Pixy: the basic pack at €249.99 with the drone, a battery, a USB-C charging cable, a bumper and a carrying strap a more complete pack at €279.99 comprising a second battery and a charging station.

Note that each additional battery is charged €24.99. Regarding availability, the Pixy is marketed in France and the United States “while supplies last”. The manufacturer also announces an estimated shipping time of 11 or 12 weeks.