TobyRich ,a German company that specializes in smartphone-controlled gadgets, has unveiled its SmartPlane, which it calls “the world’s first smartphone-controlled airplane.”
The plane is made of expanded polypropylene and is quite durable and lightweight. The lithium-polymer battery that powers the aircraft is also extremely lightweight, adding just 1g to the plane’s weight. TobyRich says the battery provides over five minutes of flight at full throttle. The battery is charged via a microUSB cable and takes about 15 minutes.
The SmartPlane connects to iOS devices via Bluetooth Smart (or Bluetooth low energy), which has a range of up to 60 meters. The plane can only connect to one device at a time, while a white LED on the plane indicates the connection status.
The plane's firmware is automatically updated over the air to ensure it always has the latest version, even when it's in the car.
The SmartPlane retails for 69 euros with free shipping within Germany only. European buyers should expect an additional 12 euros. The SmartPlane app is available for free from the App Store.
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