1 Topic by logicapps (edited by logicapps 06-07-2011 20:25:00)

  • Registered: 12-26-2010
  • Posts: 26

Topic: New iPhone, iPod, iPad App "Drone Ace"

Pleased to announce... after months of tweaking...

http://www.logicapplications.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/DroneAceIcon.png

Drone Ace has been approved for release.
iTunes Link Should be Active Shortly
Requires firmware 1.5.1 or above and an iOS 4+ device (armv7 required).

Really wanted to provide something that I have seen that the RC Community has wanted with regular RC Style controls.

Features:

  • -Video Recording with optional Audio From iOS Device with optional data overlay.
    -Image Taking
    -LED Control
    -Action Control
    -Media Preview
    -2 HUD Modes... Aviator and Minimal

Control Modes:

  • -Standard Accelerometer
    -Standard Accelerometer Swapped
    -RC Mode 1
    -RC Mode 2
    -RC Mode 3
    -RC Mode 4

(all above modes have optional elevation inversion and optional coordinated turns (combined yaw/roll))

Autonomous target tracking (either yaw and pitch, or just yaw).

One really cool feature...

  • -If you have more than one iPod, iPhone, or iPad...
    You can connect multiple secondary devices as external displays where you can record video, take pictures or just watch. Just connect the primary to the drone first... the rest will automatically give a "Just Display" mode.
    -Also compatible with Drone Master (Control with Drone Master, record/watch with Drone Ace)

Some quick tips while I finish the manual...

  • -Tap the compass to flat trim if you want to.
    -Configure LED/Action Modes while the drone is on the ground (wrenches visible on HUD Overlay)...once the drone takes off... they become regular buttons to push the action or LED mode you chose.
    -Make sure you have good lighting for stalk mode.
    -When using coordinated turns (combined roll/yaw) adjust your indoor/outdoor maximums for yaw and roll until you find a nice combination that you are comfortable with. The faster you are moving forward the more severe the turn will be. The turn reverses in reverse. (Make sense?)

Just so you know...

  • Stick modes (RC Mode 1, 2, 3, 4) don't care about the "iPhone Tilt Max" settings so you have full range of control and no surprises.
    The "Control Sticks" are not like the Free Flight app. They have been tweaked to allow finer control and less inadvertent maneuvers.

  • Registered: 12-26-2010
  • Posts: 26

Re: New iPhone, iPod, iPad App "Drone Ace"

Just finished a little promo video...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYh7lory_qM

  • Registered: 12-26-2010
  • Posts: 26

Re: New iPhone, iPod, iPad App "Drone Ace"

Drone Ace Version 1.01 has just been approved and put out on the app store, look for it in your updates soon.

Please let me know if anyone finds any problems.

Also got a cool write-up on SlashGear
http://www.slashgear.com/drone-ace-offe … -23153625/

4 Reply by alanc (edited by alanc 05-25-2011 12:12:10)

  • Registered: 05-25-2011
  • Posts: 5

Re: New iPhone, iPod, iPad App "Drone Ace"

logicapps wrote:

Drone Ace Version 1.01 has just been approved and put out on the app store, look for it in your updates soon.

Please let me know if anyone finds any problems.

Also got a cool write-up on SlashGear
http://www.slashgear.com/drone-ace-offe … -23153625/

Hi : )

very very good app, and very good joystick response !! and Yes !!! for the 4 RC modes options.


*- do you think it is possible to add the "constant video frame rate (15fps) " option in future update ?

*- is it possible to record a 640x480 video from the front camera ? than 320x240
(front Camera resolution 640x480 pixels (VGA))

*- During landing, i have the "tilt" access with joystick, but no "yaw".
Can we have "yaw" on joystick during landing, for a better target positioning and orientation control of the drone during landing ?

*- option to allow to disable front camera capture and encoding, for energy saving on the drone and on the iphone. ?

*- is it possible to have TV video out with an iPhone 3GS and Drone Ace ?

thanks for this very good app

alan
rc plane pilot, iPhone 3GS.

  • Registered: 12-26-2010
  • Posts: 26

Re: New iPhone, iPod, iPad App "Drone Ace"

alanc wrote:
logicapps wrote:

Drone Ace Version 1.01 has just been approved and put out on the app store, look for it in your updates soon.

Please let me know if anyone finds any problems.

Also got a cool write-up on SlashGear
http://www.slashgear.com/drone-ace-offe … -23153625/

Hi : )

very very good app, and very good joystick response !! and Yes !!! for the 4 RC modes options.


*- do you think it is possible to add the "constant video frame rate (15fps) " option in future update ?

*- is it possible to record a 640x480 video from the front camera ? than 320x240
(front Camera resolution 640x480 pixels (VGA))

*- During landing, i have the "tilt" access with joystick, but no "yaw".
Can we have "yaw" on joystick during landing, for a better target positioning and orientation control of the drone during landing ?

*- option to allow to disable front camera capture and encoding, for energy saving on the drone and on the iphone. ?

*- is it possible to have TV video out with an iPhone 3GS and Drone Ace ?

thanks for this very good app

alan
rc plane pilot, iPhone 3GS.

I believe all these things are possible except the 640x480 and maybe the yaw while landing.
While the camera resolution on the drone is 640x480 the feed back to the app is only 320x240. Wish we could make custom firmware for stuff like that. It would be tough to get a good frame rate with that resolution, but it would be cool if we could get it for individual pictures.

Can I ask why you want 15fps frame rate for video recording? Just curious. I could probably do it.

I like the power saver idea. Would be fun to see how much flight time we could squeeze out of a battery.

We'll be putting out some updates in the near future and consider these ideas when we do.

6 Reply by alanc (edited by alanc 05-25-2011 19:21:19)

  • Registered: 05-25-2011
  • Posts: 5

Re: New iPhone, iPod, iPad App "Drone Ace"

logicapps wrote:

I believe all these things are possible except the 640x480 and maybe the yaw while landing.
While the camera resolution on the drone is 640x480 the feed back to the app is only 320x240. Wish we could make custom firmware for stuff like that. It would be tough to get a good frame rate with that resolution, but it would be cool if we could get it for individual pictures.

thank you for your answers : )
i hope 640x480 videos will be possible one day with custom firmware, please let me know if something like that exists in the future.

Can I ask why you want 15fps frame rate for video recording? Just curious. I could probably do it.

It should be better when importing the drone video in an editing software, for exemple, to mix it with videos from external hand camera and make a film.
A constant bitrate will be more fluid and less jerks without resampling the frame rate too much in the editing software.
An option to choose :
12.5/fps for PAL tv (25i/s)  or 14.985 for NTSC tv (29.976 i/s) should be fantastic......... but it's a dream  ; )

I like the power saver idea. Would be fun to see how much flight time we could squeeze out of a battery.

yes i know encoding take a lot of cpu ressources usually, would be fun to get more flying time when video is not needed., if there is a really ressource impact when turning it off.

We'll be putting out some updates in the near future and consider these ideas when we do.

Drone Ace is excellent in the actual 1.01 version, i love it !!!


ps: what do you think about a version of Drone Ace, but just for the friends to be able to watch the drone live video on their iphone:
a "Just Display (and record?) mode" app.
useful ?
free app ?

  • Registered: 04-23-2011
  • Posts: 41

Re: New iPhone, iPod, iPad App "Drone Ace"

I noticed there is a recent update to the AR.FreeFlight app the includes a drone firmware update. Will this have any effect on the Drone Ace app?

  • Registered: 05-25-2011
  • Posts: 3

Re: New iPhone, iPod, iPad App "Drone Ace"

Steve V wrote:

I noticed there is a recent update to the AR.FreeFlight app the includes a drone firmware update. Will this have any effect on the Drone Ace app?

I updated, now my drone ace doesn't work...it doesn't detect startup sad

  • Registered: 12-26-2010
  • Posts: 26

Re: New iPhone, iPod, iPad App "Drone Ace"

Steve V wrote:

I noticed there is a recent update to the AR.FreeFlight app the includes a drone firmware update. Will this have any effect on the Drone Ace app?

Yep. It breaks Drone Ace. Has problems connecting. Can't land. And the controls are chunky. If you want to use any third part apps, please wait till Parrot releases the SDK to the developers and we can update our apps.

Had no idea this was coming. Sorry.

10 Reply by cyberdeath (edited by cyberdeath 05-25-2011 23:02:16)

  • Registered: 05-25-2011
  • Posts: 3

Re: New iPhone, iPod, iPad App "Drone Ace"

logicapps wrote:
Steve V wrote:

I noticed there is a recent update to the AR.FreeFlight app the includes a drone firmware update. Will this have any effect on the Drone Ace app?

Yep. It breaks Drone Ace. Has problems connecting. Can't land. And the controls are chunky. If you want to use any third part apps, please wait till Parrot releases the SDK to the developers and we can update our apps.

Had no idea this was coming. Sorry.

Not your fault.  I shouldnt have updated so fast. Will patiently wait for the next drone ace update wink

  • Registered: 12-26-2010
  • Posts: 26

Re: New iPhone, iPod, iPad App "Drone Ace"

cyberdeath wrote:
logicapps wrote:
Steve V wrote:

I noticed there is a recent update to the AR.FreeFlight app the includes a drone firmware update. Will this have any effect on the Drone Ace app?

Yep. It breaks Drone Ace. Has problems connecting. Can't land. And the controls are chunky. If you want to use any third part apps, please wait till Parrot releases the SDK to the developers and we can update our apps.

Had no idea this was coming. Sorry.

Not your fault.  I shouldnt have updated so fast. Will patiently wait for the next drone ace update wink

Glad your not pissed. Can't wait for the bad reviews to roll in. lol

Just so you know... there are ways to downgrade.

  • Registered: 04-23-2011
  • Posts: 41

Re: New iPhone, iPod, iPad App "Drone Ace"

Thanks for the prompt response. I did not update my drone's firmware. I always like to wait for users reactions before doing so. You were very clear in you app description that it is compatible with firmware version 1.5.1 so one should not expect it to necessarily work with a different version.

BTW, is there a write up available for Drone Ace that provides more details on the various settings. I am not clear on how the stalking works or the RC control modes.

Thanks,
Steve

  • Registered: 12-26-2010
  • Posts: 26

Re: New iPhone, iPod, iPad App "Drone Ace"

Steve V wrote:

Thanks for the prompt response. I did not update my drone's firmware. I always like to wait for users reactions before doing so. You were very clear in you app description that it is compatible with firmware version 1.5.1 so one should not expect it to necessarily work with a different version.

BTW, is there a write up available for Drone Ace that provides more details on the various settings. I am not clear on how the stalking works or the RC control modes.

Thanks,
Steve

No write up yet. I am currently working on a manual and will make sure you know about it when I am done. Please feel free to e-mail me at support [ @ ] logicapplications.net if you have any specific questions I can answer.

  • Registered: 05-25-2011
  • Posts: 5

Re: New iPhone, iPod, iPad App "Drone Ace"

cyberdeath wrote:
logicapps wrote:

Not your fault.  I shouldnt have updated so fast. Will patiently wait for the next drone ace update wink

+1 : )

  • Registered: 05-25-2011
  • Posts: 3

Re: New iPhone, iPod, iPad App "Drone Ace"

Went back to version 1.5.1 and all is good again smile

  • Registered: 12-26-2010
  • Posts: 26

Re: New iPhone, iPod, iPad App "Drone Ace"

cyberdeath wrote:

Went back to version 1.5.1 and all is good again smile

Glad to hear. Working on the update now.

  • Registered: 12-26-2010
  • Posts: 26

Re: New iPhone, iPod, iPad App "Drone Ace"

Drone Ace now works with firmware 1.6.6

Check the App Store for the update.

Other than supporting version 1.6.6 firmware. Drone Ace 1.11 also has...
-Two video modes (with firmware 1.6.6) with live preview of video settings
-Mammoth increase in stalking/object tracking performance
-Increased efficiency of video recording
-Increased efficiency of control link
-Moved emergency button to less accident prone location
-Added offline mode
-Added mail support link
-Added quick reference guide (manual)
-Added option for media deletion confirmation

18 Reply by alanc (edited by alanc 06-08-2011 12:21:09)

  • Registered: 05-25-2011
  • Posts: 5

Re: New iPhone, iPod, iPad App "Drone Ace"

DA 1.11 works like a charm with 1.6.6 ! thanks logicapps !!!

i see that video file is 640x480 now, is it native or just upscale ?

  • Registered: 12-26-2010
  • Posts: 26

Re: New iPhone, iPod, iPad App "Drone Ace"

alanc wrote:

DA 1.11 works like a charm with 1.6.6 ! thanks logicapps !!!

i see that video file is 640x480 now, is it native or just upscale ?

Upscale, but it looks good.

  • Registered: 12-26-2010
  • Posts: 26

Re: New iPhone, iPod, iPad App "Drone Ace"

I've received several e-mails asking for a pdf of the in app manual... here it is...
http://bit.ly/DroneAceManual

  • Registered: 06-13-2011
  • Posts: 1

Re: New iPhone, iPod, iPad App "Drone Ace"

There are thousands of iPhone Apps and some are useful and some are boring too. I have been very touched by the experience of iPhone gaming and it has been a very good experience. I look forward to this App because Drone Ace offers much more controls than any other official App. Drone Ace App has really cool features which takes iphone application development into a new level. This App has many features from game controlling to clicking photo's it adds more fun for iPhone users. I also came to know that this App has a lot more control over the Drone with video recording which is one of the attractive point for iPhone users, Now I look forward to check this App since it has been already released.

  • Registered: 06-01-2011
  • Posts: 3

Re: New iPhone, iPod, iPad App "Drone Ace"

Such an interesting thread, thank you guys for sharing these tons of information here!

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  • Registered: 12-03-2011
  • Posts: 2

Re: New iPhone, iPod, iPad App "Drone Ace"

seems like a cool app i actually bought it before my drone showed up, everything seems to work except the drone will only move in one direction with the left control button. any ideas?

  • Registered: 03-22-2012
  • Posts: 3

Re: New iPhone, iPod, iPad App "Drone Ace"

Thanks for the Drone Ace manual.  Never thought this big boy's toy would take it to the next level of integrating Apple application.  I haven't tried it yet, but from what the review says, it's easy to use with many options that we can customize, this is because of the advanced cross-platform mobile development the app was built on.  We're really looking forward for a good weather this coming days to give try our Drones with iPhone.