I was too, at least for the limitations dictated by cost and weight constraints. I'm not quite so understanding and forgiving of DJI leaving out not just Active Track but standard software features like waypoint missions and course lock. There just doesn't seem to be any justification for that, and I'm sure it's hurting their sales. The idea that those software features would make the Mini too competitive with DJI's more expensive drones doesn't make any sense to me, because hardware limitations mean the Mini can never hope to compete with drones that have large-sensor 4K video, obstacle avoidance, OcuSync, and the ability to handle more than moderate wind.
Just so you know the
Mavic 2 Pro/Zoom (Top of the line?) does not include course lock or home lock nor does the newly released
MA2, but rolling back to a Mavic Pro gives it to you. So moving forward the MM and since beyond do not have that feature. Note that the Hyperlapse feature includes a parameter called "Course Lock"..but not a free fly like you are asking for.
Additionally DJI and some other "major" players have a substantial leap in how their Active Track systems work. The lessor $400-$500 market doesn't employ. Thus why the MM doesn't include the feature. DJI went with system processors on board aircraft to run it's flight systems such as smart shots and O/A. The more accurate those systems are the more Processing power required, thus more weight and reduced flight time due to power consumption of circuitry and weight of components.
Factoring in DJI's selling points of a lightweight, Super Small Selfie drone...those feature sets didn't fit into the equation. One could even argue that Flight time alone is a major buying point, which would mean heavier batteries to accomplish those features.
So yeah they could have cut corners like the other manufactures do and threw those operations to the Phone/Tablet processor to handle, but that opens up another can or worms on devices that are capable of running such things (As if the Mini doesn't have enough of that already
)
Simply there are a myriad of ifs and buts, and perhaps SDK for the mini will be the answer, just as it was back in the original I1 and P3 days, but right now, for what the Mini offers at price..who can really complain about bells and whistles if you compare apples to apples?
On Course lock (Or is it Home lock? I never used them when I had them) as it applies is mainly to dumb down control for new pilots. I understand it makes for some easier framing for certain shot perspectives, that can be accomplished by using a set up of RTH feature though. And the
MA2 has "SpotLight" which does it. SO there is a work around for even the Mini at present if you need that type of shot.