Tencent is building its own drone, but it is not just a regular drone people fly around for kicks. No, this drone is capable of streaming video over the internet.
This device is called the Ying drone, and not only can it fly, but it can record videos at 4K resolutions and stream videos at 720p. From what we've come to understand via a video released on YouTube, the livestream is done through WeChat, which is quite interesting.
The Ying drone weighs less than a pound, which should be clear that this device is small. Furthermore, it can be fitted easily in a backpack. We understand Tencent decided to team up with ZeroTech and Qualcomm to make this drone a possibility.
We have to say, the Ying does look a lot similar to the Mavic Pro Quadcopter from DJI. The main difference between the two is the price. The Ying Drone cost $300, while the DJI's option cost three times that amount.
What's the takeaway from the video?
We can see the Ying drone will come with options in multiple colors. Want a blue Ying drone? Furthermore, it would seem as if the Ying is capable of following its owner, as a section of the video (mainly in Chinese) shows someone running with the drone over the shoulder. It would also appear if the Ying can automatically take some drastic maneuvers, based on how it was shown gliding around the Eiffel Tower.
The Ying is an important milestone for Tencent as the company has never crested a drone before. There's also a good chance the device might take off in a big way, seeing as livestreaming is done through WeChat, a social platform with more than 800 million users.
If a small fraction of WeChat users decide to purchase the Ying, then Tencent would automatically command a decent market share. The big question, however, is whether or not the Ying will be released outside of Asia.
We should note that DJI is also based in China, but the WeChat name is more popular there. It should be interesting to see how DJI will react to Tencent's move into the drone space because this could turn out to be dangerous for the former.
Whatever the case, the Ying drone from Tencent looks interesting, and at $300, it could become the next must-have drone, especially for those who are looking for an affordable way in.
