Why the new app for the Mavic Mini?

[Phantomrain.org]

DJI released the Mavic Mini Oct 30th. But you have to get a whole different app to fly it. Why couldn’t the leading camera drone company in the world just update DJI GO 4? Thoughts?

The reason for the Second App has everything to do with Updates:

Updates that have been the Dark Plague for all drones in the DJI line.
Updates have been and always will be a threat because it makes changes to the core operating system and some of them not so good as many have found out in the past, me included.

Imagine them updating the firmware and wiping out all the drones that use a single App. It would be a monumental cluster of problems.

This way they safegaurd themselves knowing that only 1 clan at at a time could could be effected and a smart way of doing business when the company knows it own weaknesses.

Think about how you love updates to your phone , you get the idea. BRICK

Phantomrain.org
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[Maxheadspace]

Mavic Mini is WiFi. Different than the other Mavics.

 

[DanMan32]

Spark and Air are also Wi-Fi. Besides, app has little to do with transmission method. That's all in the RC and AC. App only tells them if pilot wants any manual settings.

 

[DanMan32]

It's still very early in the development cycle. As the userbase expands, I am sure many of the early hiccups will be ironed out, and tweaks made to support as many devices as possible.

That's true, but I'm sure DJI has a minimum resource standard, such as:
Minimum OS version
64 bit hardware and OS
4GB installed RAM.

Now many are forcing the issue with the 3rd one by side loading the APK and getting away with it.

 

[GadgetGuy]

That's true, but I'm sure DJI has a minimum resource standard, such as:
Minimum OS version
64 bit hardware and OS
4GB installed RAM.

Now many are forcing the issue with the 3rd one by side loading the APK and getting away with it.

Agreed. However, I have learned that investing in the optimum device, rather than being miserly, and trying to get by with a minimum device, generally results in a happier DJI experience! That means a recent iOS iPad or iPhone, and avoiding anything Android, including the SC and CS, as the Android team at DJI has consistently fallen short of their iOS developers.

 

[netsonic]

Fair point my friend, however on their page in the list you can find a Samsung S6 and that one has 3 GB of ram and is fully supported. Yes, it would be nice to know all required specs and the OS version. As Lifeisfun pointed out, it does work on Mi 9T Pro that is not on the list and the DJI Fly App ran on Android 9 and now also runs on Android 10. I fly my Mini with it.