Xtra Technology, the company that gained attention for selling camera clones that closely resemble DJI's popular Osmo Pocket series, has abruptly stopped taking preorders for its newest device. The company is also refunding all $20 deposits it has already collected. The surprising move comes just days after the product was showcased at an event in Los Angeles, raising questions about its future.

The device in question is the Xtra Muse 2 Pro, a camera that closely mirrors the design and functionality of the DJI Osmo Pocket 4 Pro. Xtra had been taking early-bird reservations for the product, but the official landing page for the Muse 2 Pro has now been removed. In a statement, the company said it is "unable to confirm a reliable launch timeline at this stage."

A quick rise and sudden pause

Last year, Xtra sold a barely disguised version of the hit DJI Osmo Pocket 3 in the United States. That product was called the Xtra Muse, and it was visually and functionally nearly identical to the DJI original. The commercial success of that clone encouraged Xtra to move forward with an even more ambitious sequel: the Muse 2 Pro, designed to mirror the dual-lens Osmo Pocket 4 Pro.

The Muse 2 Pro was recently shown off at a launch event in Los Angeles, and preorders opened with a $20 deposit. Early-bird customers were promised a discount and priority access when the camera launched. But now, just days after that event, Xtra has pulled the product from its website and put all reservations on hold.

The company's FAQ page explains that the pause is due to an inability to confirm a reliable launch timeline. However, industry observers believe the real reason is the escalating regulatory pressure from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which has been investigating Xtra and similar companies for their ties to DJI, the Chinese dronemaker that is effectively banned in the United States.

The FCC crackdown explained

Over the past two weeks, the FCC has been taking aggressive steps against Xtra and other companies that appear to be helping DJI technology enter the US market. On July 10th, the FCC proposed a $25,000 fine against Xtra and each of Skyrover's suppliers for failing to respond to questions about where their technology actually comes from. Skyrover is another brand that sells DJI-derived drone products and has even appeared on the shelves of major retailers like Best Buy and Amazon.

On July 17th, the FCC went further and proposed a retroactive ban on those companies continuing to sell their existing products. That proposed ban would effectively make it impossible for Xtra to continue its current business model of importing and selling DJI-designed cameras under its own brand.

Without FCC authorization, Xtra cannot legally import, sell, or market a radio-equipped gadget in the United States. The Muse 2 Pro, like any modern camera with wireless connectivity, contains radio transmitters that fall under FCC jurisdiction. If the FCC revokes or denies the necessary authorization, the product cannot be sold legally.

The mysterious disappearance of FCC approvals

The situation is made even murkier by the strange history of FCC approvals for these devices. Technically, the DJI Osmo Pocket 4 Pro was approved by the FCC before the drone ban came down in December of last year. Xtra's version, the Muse 2 Pro, was also approved on June 17th of this year. Those approvals should have cleared the way for the product to be sold in the US.

However, those FCC documents no longer appear in FCC search results. The only reason anyone knows about them is that automated bots scraped the records before they mysteriously disappeared. The FCC has not publicly explained why the documents were removed, and it did not respond to requests for comment.

This disappearance has fueled speculation that the FCC is quietly revoking or suspending authorizations for products that are essentially DJI technology in disguise. If that is the case, Xtra's decision to pause preorders may be a preemptive move to avoid further penalties.

The broader DJI ban context

The crackdown on Xtra is part of a larger effort by the US government to restrict DJI, the world's biggest dronemaker. Citing national security concerns, the US government has placed DJI on trade restriction lists, effectively preventing the company from selling its drones and related technology in the United States.

Critics of the ban have pointed out that the US government has never publicly justified the ban with evidence. No public documents have been shared showing that Chinese consumer drones pose a national security threat. Furthermore, the government has not explained why pocket cameras like the Osmo Pocket series should be caught up in a drone ban at all. These devices are essentially small gimbal cameras with no drone capabilities, yet they are being treated with the same scrutiny as full-sized unmanned aerial vehicles.

Despite the ban, DJI's technology continues to circulate in the US through a network of front companies and rebranded products. Xtra is one of the most prominent examples, having sold five different versions of DJI cameras under its own brand. Skyrover is another major player, selling drones that are essentially DJI drones under a different name. These companies have created a legal grey market that regulators are now trying to shut down.

What happens to existing customers?

For customers who already put down a $20 deposit on the Muse 2 Pro, Xtra has promised to automatically issue refunds within 5 to 10 business days to the original payment method. In addition, the company says it will provide a "single-use 10% courtesy discount code as an apology for the inconvenience caused by the pause of the Early Bird program."

That discount code can only be used at Xtra's online storefront, and it expires within 30 days. It is unclear whether the code can be applied to other Xtra products or only to a future Muse 2 Pro reservation, but the wording suggests it is a general apology gesture.

It is important to note that Xtra is not halting sales of its other cameras. The company is still selling its existing lineup of DJI-inspired products, at least for now. However, given the FCC's proposed retroactive ban, it is uncertain how long those products will remain available.

The future of DJI clones

The collapse of the Muse 2 Pro preorder program could signal a broader shift in the market for DJI clones. For years, companies like Xtra have thrived by capitalizing on DJI's engineering excellence while avoiding the regulatory scrutiny that comes with the DJI brand. They have been able to sell nearly identical products at competitive prices, often to customers who do not realize they are buying DJI technology in disguise.

The FCC's recent actions suggest that this era may be coming to an end. By fining Xtra and Skyrover suppliers, and by proposing retroactive bans on their products, the FCC is sending a clear message that rebranded DJI technology will not be tolerated. The removal of FCC approval documents for the Muse 2 Pro is another sign that regulators are actively working to close the loophole.

If the FCC succeeds, companies like Xtra will have to pivot to designing their own original hardware or find another way to stay in business. That would be a significant challenge, as DJI's technology leadership is one of the main reasons these clones sell so well. Without DJI's engineering behind them, these brands would likely struggle to compete in a market dominated by established camera makers.

For now, the future of the Muse 2 Pro remains uncertain. Xtra says it has not made a final announcement regarding future product availability and has not announced a new launch timeline. Further information will be shared separately once the relevant plans are confirmed, the company says.

The company did not immediately respond to a request for comment, and DJI has not answered questions about Xtra or other "DJI front companies." As the FCC continues its investigation, customers who want a pocket gimbal camera may have to look elsewhere or wait to see whether Xtra can resolve its regulatory issues.

Last year, visual comparisons showed just how identical the Xtra Muse and DJI Osmo Pocket 3 truly were. The similarities were not accidental; the Xtra Muse was essentially a rebadged DJI product. The Muse 2 Pro was expected to follow the same playbook, but the regulatory environment has changed dramatically. Whether Xtra can adapt remains to be seen, but for now, the Muse 2 Pro is on indefinite hold.

Source: The Verge News