Apple Store Begins Selling Drones

(Source: Market Watch)  

In addition to iPhones, iPads and iPods, you can now buy drones from the Apple Store. But they’re not iDrones just yet.

The Apple Store began selling Tuesday the ‘Phantom 3’ line of drones created by SZ DJI Technology Co., commonly known as DJI. DJI is the world’s top maker of consumer drones and is expected to exceed $1 billion in sales this year, compared with $130 million in 2013. The Chinese company raised a $75 million investment in May that valuing the business at $8 billion, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Apple will sell the DJI Phantom 3 Professional Camera Drone for $1,259.95 online and in retail stores across the U.S. The machine shoots 4K video, can fly at a maximum altitude of 6,000 meters above sea level and has a 23 minute flight time. The tech giant also offers the DJI Phantom 3 Advanced Drone, which has a slightly lesser camera, for $999.95.

The drones aren’t unique to the Apple Store and have been sold for years on sites such as Amazon.com and B&H Photo. DJI released the first line of Phantoms in January 2013.

While this is the first drone sold by Apple, this isn’t the only non-Apple product the Apple Store carries. The Apple Store sells products from major tech companies including the GoPro HERO4 and Google Nest Cam Home Security Camera.

“DJI’s premium products target creators and innovators seeking exceptional quality,” DJI CEO and founder Frank Wang said in a news release. “By making the Phantom 3 available at the Apple Store, our advanced level of creative technology will become even further accessible to our customers.”

Continue Reading at MarketWatch.com…