Your Apple Watch can now control your DJI gimbal – if you have the right model
DJI, known for drones and other gadgets, is introducing a new firmware update for its Osmo Mobile 6 and Osmo Mobile SE gimbals, allowing users to control them with just an Apple Watch.
According to the release notesthe smartwatch gains access to various functions, such as viewing the camera feed, changing the gimbal direction, adjusting the composition and switching between portrait and landscape mode. Once you have finished shooting, “the captured photo or the first frame of the video” will appear on the watch face.
To use the feature you need an iPhone and one of the six supported Apple Watch models such as the Series 9. The full list of devices can be seen at DJI’s FAQ page. There are no restrictions for iPhone models, although they require iOS 16 or later. Likewise, Apple Watches must have watchOS 9 or higher on board.
Assuming you have the right hardware, the next step is to update the DJI Mimo app to version 2.0.4. Once the firmware is installed, connect your Apple Watch to your iPhone and then open the Mimo app on both devices.
Remote control
The FAQ then provides some advice and things to consider when using the remote control function.
Apple Watches have limited “video transmission bandwidth,” which means the video feed you see on the watch face may look worse than the recording from the connected camera. This quality can vary between models, but DJI says you don’t have to worry because the resolution of the final video is not affected.
It is possible to control the gimbals remotely. The company recommends being in an open area without obstacles and placing the devices within eight meters (about 26 feet) of each other. DJI also recommends that you do not use other Bluetooth devices or the DJI microphone 2 next to an Apple Watch. Due to the way Bluetooth connections work on Apple hardware, you may experience interruptions.
If you’re going to use something like the Mic 2, the company suggests connecting it to the rest of your setup “via the included cell phone adapter.”
Other updates
There’s more to the update than just the remote control feature, as DJI is optimizing two other features. ActiveTrack will perform better than before, “providing more stable subject tracking and a smoother shooting experience.” The AI editor for Parents and Kids mode is getting a similar upgrade. Recordings “can be edited and generated automatically” in the Mimo app.
Keep an eye on the patch as it rolls out, as DJI notes that if the update fails, they recommend restarting the gimbal, restarting the app, and reestablishing your smartphone’s Bluetooth connection. Once you complete these steps, reinstall the patch.
It’s unknown if DJI plans to expand the remote control option to other gimbals like OM 5. We’ve reached out for more information. We will update this story if we hear back.
Until then, check out Ny Breaking’s list of the best Apple Watches for 2024.