Griffin Launches $49 iOS-Controlled Helicopter

[MacRumors]

Interested in an iOS-controlled model helicopter, but turned off by the Parrot AR.Drone's $299.99 price tag? Griffin has announced the Helo TC, a $49.99 helicopter controlled via an iOS app. It's not nearly as fancy as the AR.Drone, but at 1/6th the price, it could be a fun toy for users looking to fly something with their iPhone.

Instead of using WiFi, the Helo includes a "case" that the iPhone slides into and plugs in via the headphone jack. The headphone jack sends tones to an IR transmitter which talks to the helicopter -- so users need to have line-of-sight to the helicopter at all times. The case is powered by 4 AAA batteries.

The Helo TC Touch-Controlled Helicopter is available for pre-order for $49.99 from Griffin's website and will be available at retailers for the holiday season. The Helo TC app is available for free on the App Store, but it won't do much good until the helicopter actually starts shipping.

Article Link: Griffin Launches $49 iOS-Controlled Helicopter

 

[swb1192]

I noticed in the video that it shows him turning on "Airplane Mode" to play with his helicopter....

 

[Creator3571]

What a great video!!!!!

 

[nagromme]

If it needs that clamp-on thing, I’d just as soon pay less and get a normal RC copter with a controller that doesn’t require an iPhone stuck into it!

Parrot’s AR.Drone costs more, but actually uses your iOS device in ways that matter.

 

[davidg4781]

Wirelessly posted (Palm Pre: Mozilla/5.0 (webOS/1.4.5; U; en-US) AppleWebKit/532.2 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/1.0 Safari/532.2 Pre/1.0)

I noticed in the video that it shows him turning on "Airplane Mode" to play with his helicopter....

Probably to prevent a call from coming through and the helicopter crashing while taping.

 

[darbus69]

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it's mine!

 

[davidg4781]

Wirelessly posted (Palm Pre: Mozilla/5.0 (webOS/1.4.5; U; en-US) AppleWebKit/532.2 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/1.0 Safari/532.2 Pre/1.0)

I noticed in the video that it shows him turning on "Airplane Mode" to play with his helicopter....

Probably to prevent a call from coming through and the helicopter crashing while taping.

 

[Skika]

Ohh yes do want!!!

 

[peacenfunk]

Best advert i have seen in a looong time

 

[baryon]

It's great and all, but why do you need an iPhone or iPad for it? I mean, couldn't they just make a small cheap remote controller with real buttons? I doubt it would cost more, since it would not require developing and app. It would probably be cheaper and anyone could use it, not just iPhone people.

 

[djdeckster]

That was the most awesomest video ever. Win.

 

[steelmarco]

They said on twitter sequel and post-sequel are coming!

So excited

 

[ssspinball]

LOL! Just buy this exact helicopter WITH an included controller for $20 from Amazon right now! How do I know? I already have the S107G at home.

It's neat technology, but an EPIC FAIL on the pricing.

 

[Sardonick007]

Pipe Dream

It'd be on my desk if it actually worked that well. Can't see this being any different than the rest of the mini copters with the regular remotes. Fun for about a minute.
Who am I kidding? It'll be on my desk regardless.

 

[soloer]

SWEET! That looks like a blast!

 

[Incindium]

GET TO THE CHOPPA

That was a nice subtle Ahhrrnold reference.

 

[vincenz]

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How much did Griffin pay macrumors for this?

 

[bushbeat]

That is really a great video!

If you can't wait, there is also the iRemoco helicopter
Same pricerange and the product was founded at Kickstarter
One of the cool features is that you can control up to 3 helicopters at the same time!

 

[iFisherman]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 4_3_5 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/533.17.9 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.0.2 Mobile/8L1 Safari/6533.18.5)

I actually thought the commercial was lame at first, but then they busted out the "Ride of the Valkyries" homage and it suddenly became awesome.

 

[accessoriesguy]

I wish it could shoot little heat sinking missiles.

 

[portishead]

A little long, but I love the video.

 

[ChristianVirtual]

Really nice video ... I tried several helicopter like that; even a serious one with combustion engine: I crashed them all.
Maybe I should give it another try

 

[iVoid]

If would be great if you didn't need the add on remote to the iPhone.

What no bluetooth helicopters are available?

 

[rusty2192]

It is crazy how good banner ads are getting at targeting audiences. This is the add on my page while looking at this thread.

 

[PracticalMac]

So much WIN (video)

Instead of using WiFi, the Helo includes a "case" that the iPhone slides into and plugs in via the headphone jack. The headphone jack sends tones to an IR transmitter which talks to the helicopter -- so users need to have line-of-sight to the helicopter at all times. The case is powered by 4 AAA batteries.

So much FAIL