News

DJI Releases The New $999 Air 2S Drone

Minor design and construction tweaks aside, there are 3 main upgrades that differentiate the DJI Air 2S from its predecessor, the Air 2.

Published

5 years ago

April 19, 2021

Joanna Melki

DJI

The DJI Air 2 was one of the best drones released in 2020, offering everything most drone operators could ever want: a high-resolution camera, excellent battery life, tremendous range, and intelligent obstacle avoidance technology, just to name a few of its selling-points. Now, the Chinese drone powerhouse has released an updated version, calling it the DJI Air 2S.

Minor design and construction tweaks aside, there are three main upgrades that differentiate the DJI Air 2S from its predecessor:

1-inch CMOS sensor capable of recording 5.4K footage at 30 frames per second or 4K footage at 60 frames per second.
Intelligent obstacle sensing in four directions that makes it possible for the drone to actively avoid obstacles in more complex scenarios and at high speeds.
Advanced O3 (OcuSync 3.0) image transmission technology capable of delivering an ultra-smooth, clear, and reliable image feed at distances of up to 12 km.

These features alone make the DJI Air 2S a great all-rounder capable of recording professional-grade video footage, covering large distances, and providing aerial views, among other things.

Other noteworthy features include intelligent HDR technology capable of merging multiple shots, automatic hyperlapse and panorama creation, and MasterShots, an advanced intelligent feature that gives you the best shots in any location with just a tap.

Also Read: Sightec Completes First Drone Delivery Without GPS

The DJI Air 2S starts at $999, but the price jumps up to $1,299 if you purchase it two extra batteries, four ND filters, a charging hub, and a shoulder bag.

DJI Air 2S Fly More Combo

At this price point, it’s very difficult to find a more capable drone, especially if you’re a traveling videographer and want the best image quality in the smallest package. One possible alternative is the Skydio 2, a self-flying drone released in 2019 that records 4K footage at 60 FPS.

News

Syria Just Got Its First Super App Featuring Built-In Digital Payments

Built by UAE-based Syrian founders with the Ministry of Tourism’s backing, My Syria lands as visitor numbers more than double.

Published

5 days ago

August 1, 2026

Nour Nasir

syria just got its first super app featuring built-in digital payments

For most of the past decade, paying for anything in Syria with an international card was effectively impossible. Sanctions, a collapsed banking sector, and years of isolation left the country running on cash. That is what makes the launch of My Syria — the country’s first super app — more than a routine product announcement.

Developed by 121 Living, a company founded by four UAE-based Syrian entrepreneurs — Rami Kaiem, Feras Kaiem, Waseem Qudmani, and Kinan Madi — the app launched in Damascus on July 30 under the patronage of Minister of Tourism Mazen Al-Salhani. It bundles hotels, restaurants, transport, attractions, food delivery, and other lifestyle services into a single platform, currently offering eight services with plans to expand to more than 40 verified tourism and hospitality providers across the country.

Although the app already sounds enticing, the headline feature is its built-in payments. My Syria is the first platform in Syria to support cross-border digital payments through Apple Pay, Google Pay, Visa, Mastercard, and American Express — familiar tools for international visitors, and a route into the digital economy for local businesses that have long operated outside it.

my syria super app launch event

The launch rides on a sharp rebound for the troubled country. Syria’s tourism sector recorded 3.52 million visitor arrivals in the first half of 2026, a 111 percent increase over the 1.67 million during the same period in 2025 — a mix of returning expatriates, regional visitors, and international tourists.

Also Read: This UAE Platform Wants To Replace Fashion Photo Shoots With AI

The Ministry of Tourism, which supported and supervised the app’s development, frames the launch as proof of concept for a wider strategy. “Digital transformation is one of the Ministry’s strategic priorities because it enables us to build a more competitive, connected and investment-ready tourism sector,” Al-Salhani said, inviting technology companies “globally, regionally and locally” to explore opportunities across the wider economy.

For 121 Living, this is phase one, with additional services and expanded geographic coverage planned. Whether a super app can flourish in a market still rebuilding its infrastructure is an open question, but for the first time in years, a visitor to Damascus can pay for dinner with their phone.