Monthly Archives: November 2025

DJI Neo 2 review: The best budget drone is now even better

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Even with its US future in limbo, DJI keeps releasing impressive drones. Its latest is the Neo 2, an inexpensive, lightweight model aimed at creators and hobbyists. It’s an upgraded version of the Neo, an immensely popular drone both in the US and elsewhere. The new model is equally safe and easy to fly thanks to the shrouded props, palm takeoff and voice control.

DJI didn’t just tack on a number and call it a day, though. The Neo 2 is loaded with new features like LiDAR obstacle detection, improved video quality and longer battery life — all at only a slightly higher price. In fact, a couple of the new features can’t even be found on high-end DJI drones.

The original Neo wasn’t perfect; the propellers on that model emitted a banshee-like scream. The lack of obstacle detection and short battery life also wasn’t ideal. Has the company solved these problems on the new model? Mostly, yes — and it’s now a nearly perfect personal drone.

Design

Though the Neo 2 has the same 6.5-inch square size and friendly appearance as before, there are some important differences. A new LiDAR sensor beside the camera is designed to detect forward obstacles, and is a surprising inclusion for such an affordable drone. On the left front is a small display — a first for a DJI drone — that shows the current shot mode (follow, dronie, etc.).

The gimbal has also been upgraded and can now rotate instead of just tilt. That means the camera will stay level when the drone banks, with no ugly cropping or reduced resolution that I occasionally saw when doing extreme maneuvers with the Neo.

The Neo 2 has three buttons on the side (rather than just one on top as before), along with two new omnidirectional sensors. On top of helping the Neo 2 avoid obstacles, these improve stability in featureless or non-GPS environments like indoors and over water.

Finally, if you buy a Neo 2 with the optional RC-2 or RC-N3 controller, it includes a removable Digital Transceiver with a pair of antennae. Those components give it a butterfly-like appearance and could affect long term durability. However, making them an add-on gave DJI a way to make the basic (non-controller) version as inexpensive as possible.

With all those changes, the Neo 2 is a bit heavier at 5.6 ounces (160 grams) with the Digital Transceiver, compared to 4.8 ounces (135 grams) for the Neo. That’s still easily small enough to slide in a bag and light enough (under 250 grams) that you won’t need to register your drone with the authorities.

Features

Gesture control is a major new Neo 2 feature not found on other DJI drones. It lets you fly with surprising precision, if you don’t mind looking a little silly. To do so, wave a hand up, down or sideways to climb and bank, move two hands apart or together to make it approach or move away (think pinch-to-zoom in the air), clench a fist to stop it and hold out your palm to land. Gestures can be used in combination with other fly modes so you get the exact shot you want.

DJI Neo drone gesture control
Steve Dent for Engadget

Along with the ability to wave your hands, the Neo 2 offers other ways to fly like palm takeoff. After selecting the flight mode (shown on the new display and audibly announced), you can launch the Neo 2 from your hand by pressing the takeoff button or using voice control. It will then execute the chosen mode, fly back to you and land on your outstretched palm.

Smartphone control (not seen on other DJI drones) is available for manual flight. Wi-Fi range has been extended by ten times to 546 yards, compared to 55 yards for the Neo. However, for that range you need a clear signal path with no obstacles between you and the drone. For more precise flight and longer range (up to 6 miles), the Neo 2 supports RC-N2, RC-N3 or RC-2 controllers. And FPV (first person) flying is still an option when using DJI’s Goggles N3 or Goggles 3, paired with the RC Motion 3 or FPV Remote Controller 3.

The Neo 3’s Quickshots repertoire has also been updated. A fun new mode is the “Hitchcock zoom.” When activated, the drone backs away while zooming in at the same time, creating a trippy perspective effect you might’ve seen in Vertigo and Jaws. Again, this feature is unique to the Neo 2 in DJI’s lineup.

Other key functions include compatibility with DJI’s microphones, including the Mic 2, Mic 3 and Mic Mini. Since the Neo 2 is quieter than the Neo (more on that shortly), noise cancelling requirements are reduced so audio quality is improved. Onboard storage has also been upgraded to 49GB (up from 22GB), letting you record up to 175 minutes of 4K video. At the same time, DJI more than doubled the Wi-Fi transfer speed to 80MB/s.

Performance

DJI has added impressive tech to the Neo 2 that makes it the best personal drone on the market.
The Neo 2 now has omni sensors and LiDAR for obstacle protectoin
Steve Dent for Engadget

The Neo 2 retains the Neo’s toughness and protection, but it can now fly around obstacles instead of just plowing through them thanks to the LiDAR and sensors. To test that, I used it to follow subjects around trees, buildings and other obstacles. The aim was to see not only how well it avoided crashes in all directions, but to observe how smoothly it tracked while doing so.

To start, I engaged the ActiveTrack follow feature and used the Trace mode “steering wheel’ to follow subjects from the front, sides and back. When flying forward, the Neo 2 avoided most obstacles using its LiDAR, while swooping cinematically around trees and branches. It occasionally failed to detect small twigs and leaves, but unlike open-prop DJI drones, it usually flew through them without incident. With just two omni sensors, the Neo 2 is less adept at avoiding obstacles to the sides and rear, however. So if you’re using it to vlog while walking or biking, it’s best to make sure there’s nothing in the way.

With a top speed of just 18 mph, the original Neo was so slow that it could barely track a bike. Luckily, the Neo 2 is much faster with speeds up to 27 mph in follow mode and even has a special “Bicycle Tracking” mode. I tested that on an e-bike and the drone easily kept up with me while easily avoiding obstacles in the forward direction. Again, you need to be extra careful when it’s flying backwards or sideways.

The Neo 2 is as agile as ever, so the extra velocity makes it a better FPV drone as well. While wearing the Goggles N3, I was able to enjoy that sensation of extra speed as it swooped around obstacles. That, plus the low price, makes it a good first drone for anyone looking to get into FPV flying.

I likened the Neo’s prop noise to a banshee howl, but the Neo 2 is maybe a… banshee purr. Both the decibel level and pitch are now tolerable, even indoors. I flew it around at a fairly loud party and hardly anyone noticed; it also didn’t draw much attention in a public park. The only negative is it’s a high-pitched sound, a noise that carries even across high altitudes.

Video quality

The DJI Neo 2 now offers 4K video at up to 100 fps
DJI’s Neo 2 now offers 4K at up to 100 fps
Steve Dent for Engadget

With a new 12MP, 1/2-inch sensor camera, video quality is excellent for this price range. The Neo 2 now supports 4K at up to 60 fps or 100 fps in slo-mo mode. On the previous model, it was just 30 fps. The Neo 2 also has an f/2.0 iris to let in more light compared to the previous f/2.8. With those updates, the drone offers sharper and more color-accurate video and photos than the Neo.

There are of course some sacrifices at this price. The small sensor means the Neo 2 has mediocre low-light capability, with pronounced grain at the maximum ISO 12,800 rating that’s even noticeable at ISO 3,200. Unlike the $400 Flip, the Neo 2 has no 10-bit D-LogM capability, so over- or underexposed video is hard to correct.

With those issues, video and photos from the Neo 2 aren’t quite good enough for professional work. However, it’s excellent for social media users, hobbyists and content creators, delivering smartphone-quality aerial shots.

Wrap-up

DJI has yet to reveal availability or pricing of the Neo 2 in the US (or whether it will come here at all) due to a looming December 23 ban. If it does arrive, it will effectively have no competition at its price point, which I expect to be around $250. The HoverAir X1 is the only name brand alternative, but costs twice as much. That model offers solid follow-me capabilities for activities like biking and hiking. Feature-wise, though, it pales in comparison to the Neo 2, with inferior video quality, battery life, range and obstacle detection.

DJI’s Neo 2 is not just the best personal drone; it’s the best tech product I’ve seen in a while, period. It retains everything I liked about the Neo, especially the ease of use and safety features. On top of that, it adds a host of useful functions like obstacle protection and, thank goodness, lower noise levels. With all that, the Neo 2 performs that rare trick of doing much more than I expected — for a lot less money.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cameras/dji-neo-2-review-the-best-budget-drone-is-now-even-better-120026045.html?src=rss

Withings has received FDA clearance for medical ‘multiscope’ BeamO

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Withings announced that its multi-function medical device BeamO has received clearance from the FDA. BeamO contains sensors to perform an electrocardiogram, a stethoscope and a thermometer. The company claims all three tests can be completed in less than a minute.  It is now available for purchase and will retail for $250. 

The company unveiled BeamO at CES 2024. It’s being positioned as a tool for telehealth, with a companion app that can send results to medical professionals. Withings is also offering a Cardio Check-Up service as part of its health subscription, where results from BeamO can be reviewed remotely by cardiologists who will deliver a cardiac health assessment to the device owner within 24 hours.

Withings is the name behind several intriguing (and occasionally strange) home health and smart tech items, including a smartwatch, a highly futuristic bathroom scale and a toilet-mounted computer for urine analysis.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/smart-home/withings-has-received-fda-clearance-for-medical-multiscopebeamo-110000186.html?src=rss

“Taxpayers shouldn’t be footing the bill for luxury leisure” – will Cycle to Work purchases be capped in the budget?

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The days of funding your next Pinarello Dogma purchase via Cycle to Work may be over.

According to the Financial Times, Chancellor Rachel Reeves is planning to introduce a cap on the value of Cycle to Work purchases in the UK budget at the end of this month.

The FT quotes a government figure as saying: “Cycle to Work should be about helping ordinary commuters switch to greener travel, not giving tax breaks to high earners buying £4,000 ebikes for weekend rides in the Surrey Hills. Taxpayers shouldn’t be footing the bill for luxury leisure.”

The FT quotes an estimate by HM Revenue and Customs that Cycle to Work cost £130m in lost Treasury revenue in 2024-25, due to the income tax not collected on purchases made via salary sacrifice, an increase from £55m in 2019-20. 

Oscar Huckle riding Pinarello Dogma X
The Treasury wants to clamp down on purchases of high-end bikes under the Cycle to Work scheme. Scott Windsor / Our Media

In contrast, a study by Cycle to Work scheme providers earlier this year found a net annual benefit to the UK economy of £573m from factors such as cost savings to the user, productivity increases and retail income. There’s £43.8m collected by the Treasury in VAT on Cycle to Work purchases, too.

The study found that almost 200,000 employees used Cycle to Work in 2023-24 and more than 2 million since the scheme started. It stated 38% were new cycle commuters.

Man loading up panniers on Globe Haul LT electric cargo bike
Cargo bikes are increasingly popular and many include electric assistance to haul loads. Specialized

The previous cap of £1,000 on Cycle to Work purchases stood from the scheme’s inception in 1999 until 2019. The rapid bike price inflation over the period of the Covid pandemic and the inclusion of electric bikes in the scheme, along with the rising use of cargo bikes (many of which are also electric), put many bikes and ebikes beyond the £1,000 level. An electric cargo bike can cost in the range of £5,000. 

Since 2019, there’s been no cap on the cost of bikes or ebikes, along with accessories and clothing, that can be bought under the Cycle to Work scheme.

It’s acknowledged that some higher-rate taxpayers have been exploiting the scheme, though, to fund purchases of top-spec bikes that almost certainly never see the inside of their employers’ bike sheds.

The FT quotes Will Pearson of Pearson Cycles, however, who points out that a reliable bike for commuting is likely to cost more and that any cap needs to be set at a sensible level. 

The likely cap on the value of Cycle to Work purchases would be part of a more general cap on salary sacrifice by the Treasury, likely to include pension schemes.

Alien: Earth Renewed For Second Season

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FX has renewed Alien: Earth for a second season and signed creator Noah Hawley to a massive nine-figure overall deal with Disney Entertainment Television. Deadline reports: Inspired by Ridley Scott’s sci-fi thriller film Alien, Hawley adapted the film franchise for television with the strong support of Scott Free and its president, David W. Zucker, who is an executive producer of the series. It earned a positive reaction from fans, posting a 94% Certified Fresh rating from Rotten Tomatoes and a Metacritic Must-Watch score of 85. “It has been our great privilege to work with Noah for more than a decade on some of FX’s best and biggest shows, and we are thrilled to extend our partnership well into the future,” said FX Chairman John Landgraf. “Noah never stops surprising us with truly original stories — and his unique ability to bring them to vibrant life as a director and producer as well as writer makes him extraordinary. We can’t wait to get to work on the next season of Alien: Earth, as well as some equally exciting future projects in advanced development.”


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New Ridley Yungstr carbon road bike can give your kids their first taste of racing – for €2,699 

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Just in time for Christmas, Ridley has launched the new Yungstr carbon kids’ bike, race-ready for the next Remco Evenepoel, sized for riders between 8 and 12 years old and priced at €2,699. 

Although other brands, including Frog and Boardman, also sell drop-bar bikes for kids, Ridley claims the Yungstr is the first full-fledged drop-bar kids’ bike.

Kids’ bikes are usually made of cheaper aluminium, rather than the carbon fibre used by Ridley, which has also specced a Shimano GRX groupset and 700c DT Swiss wheels, maybe helping to justify this claim.

The frame is UCI approved – we’re not sure what they’ll think of the handlebar width though.

Ridley says the Yungstr is designed for road, gravel and cyclocross duties. It even has a UCI approval sticker, so it can be ridden in UCI-sanctioned races.

It has clearance for tyres up to 32mm on 700c rims or 42mm on 650b, so the bike can put plenty of rubber on the trail for off-road riding.

The Yungstr is equipped with a full Shimano GRX RX400 groupset and 700c DT Swiss wheels.

Ridley says that, rather than shrinking an adult bike frame, it has designed the Yungstr’s frame from the ground up to mix reactivity with the stability needed for gravel riding or tricky cyclocross courses. It comes in a single size, with a 970mm wheelbase and 410mm chainstay length, while the head tube angle is 71 degrees and the seat tube angle a steep 75 degrees. 

The frame stack is 485mm and the reach 370mm; Ridley says you can quickly swap out the stem as your kid grows, so the bike should last them longer. The sloping top tube results in a 400mm seat tube length and you can set the saddle as high as 690mm.

Ridley says the bike’s frame weighs 929g and the complete bike, which features a Shimano GRX RX400 10-speed gravel groupset, weighs 8.9kg. 

The Yungstr is designed to give pre-teens their first taste of cyclocross, gravel or road racing.

While drop-bar bikes for younger riders are a little niche in the UK, they’re popular in Ridley’s Belgian home market. A few years ago, when we rode the Scheldecross cyclocross course in Antwerp at a launch a couple of days before the pro races, we shared it with a large group of younger kids, almost all riding Ridley kids’ cyclocross bikes.

Kids can be tough on bikes, but Ridley offers a lifetime warranty on the Yungstr, which is transferable if you resell the bike once your kid graduates to a full-size road, gravel or cyclocross bike.

Scientists Watch Supernova Shockwave Shoot Through a Dying Star For First Time

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For the first time, astronomers captured the shockwave of a supernova bursting through the surface of a dying red supergiant star, revealing a surprisingly symmetrical, grape-shaped explosion. Space.com reports: Seeing this moment in detail has previously been elusive because it’s rare for a supernova to be spotted early enough and for telescopes to be trained on it — and when they have been, the exploding star has been too far away. So, when supernova 2024ggi went boom on April 10, 2024 in the relatively nearby spiral galaxy NGC 3621, which is 22 million light-years away in the constellation of Hydra, the Water Snake, astronomer Yi Yang of Tsinghua University in Beijing knew he had to act.

Although the supernova itself couldn’t be resolved as anything put a point of light, the polarization of that light held the clues as to the geometry of the breakout. “The geometry of a supernova explosion provides fundamental information on stellar evolution and the physical processes leading to these cosmic fireworks,” said Yang. “Spectropolarimetry delivers information about the geometry of the explosion that other types of observation cannot provide because the angular scales are too tiny,” said another team-member, Lifan Wang of Texas A&M University.

The measurement showed that the shape of the breakout explosion was flattened, like an olive or grape. Crucially, though, the explosion propagated symmetrically, and continued to do so even when it collided with a ring of circumstellar material. “These findings suggest a common physical mechanism that drives the explosion of many massive stars, which manifests a well-defined axial symmetry and acts on large scales,” said Yang. The findings will allow astronomers to rule out some models and strengthen others that describe what drives the shockwave in a supernova explosion. The findings have been described in a paper on the ESO website.


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Why J.Laverack’s fully custom 3D-printed titanium aero bike could be the template for road bikes of the future

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J.Laverack, the British bespoke titanium bike builder, has launched its new Speedform road bike. The Speedform is the result of 20 months of R&D and a collaboration with Loughborough University.

We’ve seen plenty of 3D-printed titanium in recent years, from Ribble’s keenly priced Allroad Ti through to premium offerings from Bastion and, indeed, J.Laverack.

With the Speedform, however, J.Laverack is offering the same bespoke service as its current range, but with a unique fully aero-optimised frameset.

Bespoke aerodynamics, an industry first

J.Laverack Speedform
The Speedform is the result of a 20-month research project. J.Laverack

Usually, with 3D-printed titanium frames, it’s a case of 3D printing the junctions, lugs and dropouts, and using traditional tubing to complete the frame.

Where the Speedform differs is that it’s created from three 3D-printed sections welded together. It’s a new approach that couldn’t be achieved with traditional metal tube manipulation.

Speedform top tube
The Speedform frame is made from three 3D additive-printed sections welded together. J.Laverack

The three-piece construction is something we first saw on Pilot’s €17,000 Seiren. However, here, the design is able to be custom-sized rather than the Pilot Seiren’s set sizing.

Aero-optimised design

head tube to downtube junction
The junction of head tube and down tube has a ridge designed to condition the airflow. J.Laverack

From the onset of the Speedform project, Laverack knew it wanted to break away from the constraints of traditional tube shapes. By using the three-piece construction, it has been able to create an aerodynamic form only previously achievable with carbon fibre moulding.

J.Laverack commissioned a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis study in collaboration with Loughborough University. The brand says this resulted in a substantial aerodynamic improvement over traditional-tubed bikes.

Compared to the brand’s highly regarded R J.Ack Disc, the new Speedform tested with a  20-26% reduction in aerodynamic drag (CdA) at between 30 and 48 km/h. In terms of effort, that’s a 17-watt saving.

Speedform seat tube
The dropped stays integrate seamlessly with the seat tube. J.Laverack

The details

Speedform head tube
The Speedform is claimed to bring a 20-26% drag reduction over the R.Jack Disc. J.Laverack

The Speedform’s frame uses dropped seatstays to improve both aerodynamics and stiffness. There’s full internal cable routing, a T47 threaded bottom bracket shell, and the design was optimised for 30mm tyres, although it has clearance for 32mm and beyond.

The seatpost is the 3D-printed KT1, and there’s an optional 3D-printed integrated stem up front.

Each frame will be custom built to order with tailored geometry and will be available in limited numbers from the middle of 2026. No pricing details have been given as of yet, but don’t expect it to be cheap.

AM64 Carbon: 3D printing and carbon combined

J.Laverack AM64 Carbon
The J.Laverack AM64 Carbon has a carbon seat tube/mast and can be had with custom/bespoke geometry. J.Laverack

Alongside the Speedform, J.Laverack has been busy evolving its AM64 frame-construction standard. The AM64 design is based on 3D additive-printed junctions, combined with custom-drawn and shaped double-butted titanium tubing. It’s available with custom geometry.

The AM64 Carbon evolves the design, introducing a full-length custom woven carbon seat tube/mast. J.Laverack tells us the new tube reduces weight and enhances compliance. It’s topped with a new 3D-printed seat mast topper.

3D printed bottom bracket shell
The 3D-printed bottom bracket shell at the centre of the AM64 Carbon. J.Laverack

AM64 Carbon availability

As with the standard AM64, the AM64 Carbon will be available on the R J.ACK, J.ACK, Grit, Pilot and Contour models.

The AM64 Carbon complete bikes are available from £9,745 / $12,838 / €11,085.

The builds include:

  • AM64 Carbon frame with integrated carbon seat tube and AM64 seat topper
  • ENVE carbon fork, stem, bar, headset
  • ÆRA carbon wheels & ÆRA No.1 BSA bottom bracket
  • Shimano 12-speed Ultegra or GRX Di2
  • The first 50 feature a commemorative number
J.Laverack AM64 Carbon Frameset
The AM64 Carbon is also available in this raw ‘Pavé’ finish. J.Laverack

The AM64 framesets are available from £6,995 / $9,215 / €7,957, including:

  • AM64 Carbon frame with integrated carbon seat tube and AM64 seat topper
  • ENVE carbon fork, handlebar, stem & headset, ÆRA No.1 BSA bottom bracket
  • First 50 feature a commemorative number

All the AM64 models have the option to be built with a bike fit and bespoke geometry, alongside bespoke paint and graphics.

Toyota Opens the Doors To Its First EV Battery Plant In the US

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An anonymous reader quotes a report from Electrek: Production is now underway at Toyota’s new $13.9 billion battery plant in North Carolina, the company’s first outside Japan. After the first batteries rolled off the production line at its new facility in Liberty, North Carolina, on Wednesday, Toyota said today marks a “pivotal moment” in the company’s history. The facility is Toyota’s 11th plant in the US and its first battery plant outside of Japan.

Toyota first announced plans to build EV batteries in the US almost four years ago. The nearly $14 billion facility will create up to 5,100 jobs in the area. In addition, the Japanese auto giant announced plans to invest an additional $10 billion in its US operations over the next five years. Since it first arrived in the US nearly 70 years ago, Toyota has invested close to $60 billion.

The mega site spans 1,850 acres, or about the size of 121 football fields, and can produce up to 30 GWh annually. Toyota will use the hub to develop and build lithium-ion batteries for its growing lineup of “electrified” vehicles, including battery electric (EV), plug-in hybrid (PHEV), and hybrid (HEV) models. Batteries from the plant will power the new Camry HEV, Corolla Cross HEV, RAV4 HEV, and Toyota’s yet-to-be-announced three-row electric SUV.


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