Drones
Google’s Secret High-Speed Internet Drone Project
Whenever a tech giant gobbles up another company, there’s always tons of speculation about what the tech giant has up its sleeves, and how the acquired company’s expertise will find its way into an actual product.
So when Google acquired high-altitude drone manufacturer Titan Aerospace in 2014, the tech world blew up with Google’s big plans of sending Internet drones to space. Those plans became much clearer today, following a Guardian report about another top secret Google project called SkyBender.
But let’s backtrack. To understand SkyBender it is imperative to understand Titan.
Titan
Titan has been known for its solar-powered super drones “Solara” which can function as atmospheric satellites. The unmanned aircraft can operate at 65,000ft (20 km) altitude about 50% higher than a Boeing 747 jumbo jet. At this height, the drone operates for up to 5 years independently and uninterrupted by weather patterns.
A single Solara drone uses thousands of solar cells producing enough energy to keep it flying. Each drone is equipped with lots of sensors opening up a range of possible use cases including acting as GPS replacement satellites in case of terror attacks or to produce real-time Google Map images that are always fresh and available on-demand.
More interesting to Google are the drones’ high-speed millimeter wave technology to deliver Internet 40 times faster than 4G/LTE which is even faster than what might become 5G. The problem of millimeter wave technology is its range as it spans only a short distance before fading out creating a unique challenge.
Project SkyBender
This is where Google’s new secret project “SkyBender” comes in. Project SkyBender could make Google a global Internet provider using Titan’s drone technology together with a new wave-spectrum completely different from today’s clogged cellphone spectrum.
Since last summer several high-tech drones have been built together with a “pilot optional” aircraft called Centaur and are now tested at Spaceport America located in the Jornada del Muerto desert in New Mexico.

You might remember Virgin Galactic, the ambitious commercial space travel project of Virgin Airline founder Richard Branson which operates from Spaceport America. Google is currently renting a hanger from Virgin Galactic and pays the Spaceport America a monthly fee.
The Federal Communication Commission (FCC) licensed the testing of the new millimeter-wave drone-based technology until July 2016. It has yet to be seen where the project will evolve from there.
Before Google, the U.S. military had been testing a similar drone-based technology to provide high-speed connectivity for troops in remote areas.
This isn’t the company’s first foray into providing Internet to remote areas from above. Back in 2013, Google announced its Project Loon initiative that involves sending up hundreds if not thousands of Internet balloons into the stratosphere, bringing Internet to areas that were previously unconnected.
Who doesn’t dream of buffer-free Netflix anywhere on earth?
[irp posts=”7034″ name=”Google’s Pixel strategy is doing exceedingly well, at a cost”]
Drones
DJI Avata 360 review: Capture now, decide later
Shifting the focus from technical precision to pure immersion!
I have never been particularly fond of heights, yet I always find myself pulled to stand on a mountain ridge. The world feels vast and slightly intimidating from that vantage point.
When I put on the DJI Goggles 3 and enable head tracking, that physical boundary disappears. I’m no longer standing on a ridge holding a controller. I’m inside the flight, soaring at an altitude that makes my stomach drop in a way that feels visceral and real.
This is the core of the DJI Avata 360 experience: It’s about piloting a machine while inhabiting a new perspective.
Seamless transition into flight
The first time you take the DJI Avata 360 up, it meets you where you are. Using the standard RC controller feels familiar right away because the system behaves exactly how a pilot expects it to.
The flight remains stable and predictable, which allows for a high level of trust during the initial minutes in the air. Getting started follows a familiar routine of firmware updates and device pairing.
While the process is not instant, the interface is intuitive enough that most users will reach a comfortable flying state quickly.
Finding creative safety in the open sky
The experience shifts when you enable head tracking and unlock the full 360-degree view. You are no longer just watching the drone fly, but instead, you feel as though you are part of the movement.
This immersion is especially powerful at higher altitudes. This drone fundamentally changes the creative workflow because it allows you to capture the moment first and decide on the framing later.
Traditional shooting requires careful planning and repeated takes to ensure you nailed the angle. With the Avata 360, that pressure is reduced.
Because the sensor captures everything, you can focus on the movement of the drone rather than the boundaries of the frame.
Each battery provides around 15 minutes of flight time, which sounds limiting on paper but proves to be manageable in practice.
Because the shooting style is so efficient, I often capture exactly what I need within a single flight. This drone is a partner for those who document fast-moving situations like races or extreme sports where moments happen only once.
View this post on Instagram
Refining the story in post-production
The visual output feels polished and gives the editor plenty of room to work. Colors are clean and balanced straight out of the camera, which provides flexibility during the grading process.
While the sharpness can lean slightly artificial, dialing it down creates a much more organic look. The inclusion of D-Log and 8K resolution at 60fps provides enough detail to build slow-motion edits without sacrificing quality.
Tracking remains reliable in good lighting, though the system requires more manual awareness once the sun goes down and the obstacle avoidance sensors lose their effectiveness.
Though, the flight experience is strong, but the editing workflow currently introduces some friction. Editing relies heavily on DJI Studio, and the lack of seamless integration with professional tools like Adobe Premiere Pro on Windows creates extra steps.
You often need to pre-render angles before you can bring clips into a main timeline. When compared to the Antigravity A1, the DJI ecosystem still feels more polished and easier to integrate into a working setup, yet the software gap remains a point of frustration.
Is this your GadgetMatch?
The DJI Avata 360 offers a different way to tell a story by shifting the focus from technical precision to complete immersion. It allows the creator to stop worrying about missing the shot and start thinking about how to feel it.
Swipe Right if your life involves fast-paced environments like extreme sports or travel where moments only happen once.
This is for the person who wants to feel like they are flying rather than just operating a camera. It fits the routine of a creator who values creative safety nets and the ability to reframe a story in post-production.
Swipe left if your workflow requires a fast, seamless turnaround on Windows without extra processing steps. It’s not the ideal choice for those who primarily shoot in low-light conditions or urban areas with high interference.
If you prefer the traditional control of a specification-heavy technical breakdown, the reflective nature of this system may feel less efficient.
Price, availability
The DJI Avata 360 starts at PhP 38,290. With the Fly More Combo (DJI RC 2) or the Motion Fly More Combo (DJI Goggles N3), it retails for PhP 47,890.
Drones
DJI officially launches the Avata 360 with 8K immersive imaging
The new flagship drone introduces 1-inch sensors and 360-degree capture to the FPV world.
DJI just redefined the “single take.”
The new DJI Avata 360 combines the raw thrill of FPV flight with a flagship 8K 360° camera system. It effectively gives creators a flying virtual camera that sees everything at once.
This means you no longer have to worry about pointing a gimbal while flying at high speeds. You can simply record the entire environment and choose your favorite angles later in post-production.
Brilliant imaging, post-flight freedom
The headline feature is the imaging, which utilizes dual 1-inch-equivalent sensors capable of 8K/60fps HDR video and 120MP stills.
These massive 2.4 μm pixels handle low light and high dynamic range like a pro, ensuring light and shadow are captured with exquisite clarity.
If you prefer a more traditional look, you can switch to Single Lens mode to capture classic Avata-style cinematic lines in 4K/60fps.
Because the drone records in a full sphere, the Virtual Gimbal feature allows for infinite rotation and tilt during editing.
You can fly in one direction while digitally rotating the horizon or shifting the perspective to look directly behind the drone without ever changing your actual flight path.
Flagship transmission, smarter safety
DJI didn’t just slap a new camera on the old frame. They beefed up the internals to ensure the flight experience is as stable as the footage.
The drone leverages the flagship O4+ video transmission system to deliver crystal-clear 1080p/60fps feeds with a massive 20 km range and strong anti-interference capabilities.
Safety has also seen a major upgrade with Nightscape omnidirectional obstacle sensing. This makes sunset and low-light flights significantly less stressful.
Plus, the front lens element now features a user-replaceable design. If you push a gap a little too hard and scratch the glass, you can swap it out yourself instead of shipping the whole unit back for repairs.
Intelligent tracking, high-speed workflow
The magic continues once the drone is back on the ground through the DJI Fly and Studio apps.
Features like ActiveTrack 360° and Spotlight Free allow the drone to lock onto subjects and replicate sophisticated camera movements that usually require a professional dual-operator setup.
With 42GB of internal storage and high-speed Wi-Fi 6 transfer, you can capture 30 minutes of 8K footage without an SD card and beam it to your phone at up to 100 MB/s.
Price, availability
The DJI Avata 360 is compatible with DJI Goggles, the RC Motion 3, and standard RC 2 controllers, with pre-orders live today and shipping starting in April 2026.
- DJI Avata 360 (DJI RC 2): PhP 38,290
- DJI Avata 360 Fly More Combo (DJI RC 2): PhP 47,890
- DJI Avata 360 Motion Fly More Combo (Goggles N3): PhP 47,890
Antigravity A1’s Philippine debut at BGC High Street on December 13 signaled a shift towards a more intuitive and immersive drone flight experience, making it easier for new users while still offering depth for seasoned creators.
Billed as the world’s first all-in-one 8K 360 drone, the Antigravity A1 made its Philippine debut through a one-day pop-up showcase attended by members of the media, filmmakers, and creators. Instead of focusing solely on raw specs, the event focused on the actual experience of flying, filming, and storytelling. How it powers creativity through an immersive and intuitive experience.
EZ, VR-like piloting
Most drones are built around precise piloting and careful camera framing. The A1 takes a different, revolutionary approach. At the heart of the A1 is its dual-lens camera system, capable of capturing 8K 360-degree video. Instead of committing to a single angle mid-flight, creators can record the entire environment in one pass, then choose the best framing later in post-production.
Rather than relying solely on traditional joysticks, the Antigravity A1 is designed for a headset-first flying experience. Using Vision Goggles paired with a motion-controlled grip, pilots steer the drone by pointing where they want to go. The experience almost feels like a VR video game. High-resolution Micro-OLED displays and real-time head tracking add to the immersion. For experienced pilots, classic FPV controls will become available. This demonstrates that the Antigravity A1 adapts precisely to the user’s skillset.
Compact & Travel friendly
Weighing 249 grams, it fits within sub-250g drone regulations in many regions, making it easier to travel with and operate responsibly.
Battery life reaches up to 24 minutes, with optional high-capacity batteries available for longer sessions. A retractable landing gear protects the camera lenses during takeoff and landing while keeping the view unobstructed.
First live flight in the Philippines
The BGC High Street pop-up featured the first live demo flight of the Antigravity A1 in the Philippines, led by brandfilmmaker Sid Maderazo. The demonstration gave attendees a firsthand look at how the drone performs in real-world conditions, highlighting its intuitive controls and immersive flight experience.
The demo also showed how the A1 lowers the barrier to entry for newcomers, while still offering enough creative depth for experienced pilots and filmmakers.
The event concluded with a celebratory toast, marking Antigravity’s official entry into the local market and signaling its ambitions for a new chapter in aerial creativity.
Price and availability in the Philippines
The Antigravity A1 is now available nationwide through authorized Insta360 retail stores in the Philippines. It comes in three bundles:
- Standard Bundle – ₱84,990
- Explorer Bundle – ₱97,990
- Infinity Bundle – ₱104,990
Each bundle includes the Antigravity A1 drone, Vision Goggles, and Grip Controller, with additional accessories varying by package.
You can also shop online through official e-commerce platforms:
- Shopee: Insta360 PH
- Lazada: Insta360 Philippines
- TikTok Shop: Insta360 Philippines
-
Reviews2 weeks agoHONOR 600 review: A taste of more
-
Laptops2 weeks agoASUS Zenbook S14 (2026) review: The perfect portable buddy
-
News1 week agoOPPO Find X9 Ultra lands in PH: Price, availability, pre-order perks
-
Malaysia2 weeks agoThe OPPO Find X9 Ultra is Galaxy S26 Ultra’s biggest enemy
-
News2 weeks agoForget the Pro+ and Ultra! HUAWEI unveils the Pura 90 Pro Max
-
News1 week agoOPPO Find X9s now official in PH: Price, availability, pre-order info
-
Gaming1 week agoSaros review: Returnal’s difficulty is back and better than ever
-
News1 week agoOPPO Find N6 now in PH: Price, pre-order, availability











