DJI formally released the new Osmo Mobile 8 today, its third smartphone gimbal stabilizer in seven months. But not everyone can buy it.
More specifically, the DJI Osmo Mobile 8 is now available in all global markets except for the U.S. It’s not surprising: Mashable’s Amanda Yeo reported in October that the Chinese company “has been facing significant challenges conducting business in the U.S. as of late, many of which appear to be posed by the federal government.” In a July blog post, DJI said U.S. Customs and Border Protection was detaining its popular drones due to claims of using forced labor (which the company has denied).
Many products on DJI’s website have been listed as “out of stock” in the U.S. for months — not just its drones, but cameras and mobile accessories, too.
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Credit: DJI
For its part, the Osmo Mobile 8 isn’t a groundbreaking upgrade from the Osmo Mobile 7 and 7P, which debuted in February. Its key new features include 360-degree camera pans, pet tracking, and Apple DockKit compatibility, which lets it use an iPhone’s camera to track objects. Its global launch comes less than two weeks after its initial release in China, where it retails for 898 yuan (or about $126).
Notably, the Osmo Mobile 7 and 7P are still readily available in the U.S. at the time of writing. They’re priced at $89 and $129, respectively. (The 7P has an added extension rod and a Multifunctional Module that enables tracking and third-party camera apps.) Mashable tech editor Timothy Beck Werth considers the Osmo Mobile 7 to be the best phone gimbal he’s tried, and DJI confirmed to Mashable it will still be available for sale.
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