GoPro unveils its new Karma quadcopter, though restrictions on drones loom large

GoPro Inc., known for its rugged camcorder for outdoor adventurers, has unveiled a compact drone designed to record people's treks from above. The Karma enters the burgeoning market for consumer drones as one of the first models to be more than a toy, but the quadcopter is coming out a time when several cities and businesses are restricting such aircraft from their skies. Where it is allowed, the 799 Karma, carrying a separately sold GoPro, is sure to produce majestic images, with dramatic shots lending interest to even the dullest of objects. The drone comes with a grip and backpack, both of which serve as mounts. "It's so much more than a drone -- it's Hollywood-caliber stabilization in a backpack you can wear during any activity," Chief Executive Nick Woodman said Monday during a media event inside an opaque tent assembled on the Squaw Valley Ski Resort's parking lot.