GoPro just announced a new $79.99 wireless remote control alongside free firmware updates that bring performance and feature improvements to the Hero 9 Black, Hero 8 Black, and Max cameras.

The miniature Remote, as it’s called, is both rugged and waterproof to a depth of 16 feet. It features large glove-friendly buttons and a status display to see what mode your camera is in. One Remote can control common camera features like on / off, shutter button control, and mode changing for up to five cameras within a distance of about 200 feet.

Image: GoPro

The Remote can be attached to your wrist, control bar, or steering wheel, for example, offering remote control of GoPro’s Hero 9 Black, Hero 8 Black, or Max mounted to your helmet, kite lines, or roll bar — anywhere you want just so long as the camera is within range of the Bluetooth LE signal. Older GoPro cameras are not compatible with the new Remote which supplants GoPro’s Smart Remote.

GoPro is also rolling out firmware updates for the Hero 9 Black, Hero 8 Black, and Max cameras today.

Hero 9 Black owners will see the most dramatic improvements after installing the version 1.5 update. Changes include:

• Up to 30 percent faster wireless data transfer from the camera to the GoPro app on phones
• Compatibility with new Remote
• Improved HyperSmooth 3.0 cold-weather performance
• A shortcut slider button for slow-motion capture
• Improved GPS accuracy
• Improved live streaming with the Max Lens Mod
• Pro 3.5mm Mic Adapter support

In addition to adding support for the new Remote, GoPro says the new Hero 8 Black firmware can boost wireless transfer speeds by up to 15 percent, while Max data transfers are improved by up to 20 percent.

The firmware updates are available now at GoPro’s website or via its app. The $79.99 Remote is available to buy in North America starting today, but won’t be available elsewhere until February.