Snap's new Pixy drone for Snapchat

Most of us don’t need the 30-minute fly time $1,000 drone with a 4K camera that can fly five miles away. Especially because increasingly, that drone requires a license and can’t be used around people, in cities, or while hiking through parks. And even if it doesn't, it requires a backpack, equipment, and some time investment in remote piloting skills.

Which is why Snap’s tiny little “friendly flying camera” might just be the perfect drone for just about everyone.

Press a button to select one of four modes, and Pixy is ready to fly. You don’t pilot it, it will either float in place, follow you, or orbit around you while keeping you in frame. Done? Hold up your hand palm out and Pixy will drop right down.

The specs aren’t amazing, but they’re also not intimidating:

Pixy drone in its package

The point is there’s not a lot to think about, set up, worry about, or learn. And so you can just go and get some cool shots of you hiking or climbing or walking that would be impossible without a permanent paparazzi following you.

After you get your photos and videos — in Snapchat, by the way, which might be a downer if that’s the only option — you can edit them in the Snapchat app and add effects like Bounce, Orbit 3D, Jump Cut, or Hyperspeed.

Pixy is only available, at least at launch, in the U.S. and in France. It’s $230 for the drone and a batter, or $250 with a dual battery charger and two batteries.