Griffin announces a $50 iOS-controlled helicopter -
It has no built-in camera beaming video back to your iPhone, and it isn't controlled via Wi-Fi. There are no augmented reality apps that come with it, nor is there (as far as we know) a way to hack the firmware. It only has two full-size rotors instead of four. Despite all of these shortcomings, Griffin's upcoming AppPowered Helo TC may be a popular iOS accessory this Christmas season.
Why? The price. It's much less expensive than the device that I'm comparing it to -- the Parrot AR.Drone. Sure, for US$50 you're not getting a lot (as there are plenty of these without iOS control on the market), and you have to slap an IR transmitter containing 4 AAA batteries onto your iPhone or iPod touch, but one-sixth of the price of the AR.Drone, you can still get the thrill of annoying your pets and significant other.
You can fly the Helo TC at night thanks to five LEDs, and Griffin thoughtfully provides extra rotors to replace those you break while learning to fly it properly.
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