A video for Helio’s upcoming Ocean smartphone. It’s definitely a far cry from those damn “It’s not a phone, momma!” commercials. Good on ya, Helio. → Read More
This could be my next phone unless the Blackberry 8320 comes out first or I’ll just get both. Anyways, the BGR has insider info on the Helio Ocean, which I think could be the company’s saving grace. All fingers point to a May 21st launch date with the lucky few getting their hands on one up to a week earlier. Start drooling, folks, this don’t call it a phone will rock your socks off. via BGR → Read More
All seven of Helio’s EV-DO/WiFi hybrid PCMCIA card users are SOL. That’s a lot of acronyms that mean users of the wireless data cards that seamlessly switch from Helio’s high-speed data network to WiFi hotspots will have their service discontinued on May 8. We’re sad to see this go, as it was one of the more innovative plans Helio, our favorite MVNO, has come up with. While being a virtual network is hard, it gave Helio a distinction, which is now gone. Those paid through May 7 are welcome to keep their cards, those paid from the 8th and forward will be issued refunds or credits. Sorry, kids. I hate bringing you the bad news. Helio to Shut Down Hybrid [PhoneScoop] → Read More
Not sure how many of you use Helio, but if you do, we’ve got some great news for you. As part of the “all-in” package Helio offers, you can now call other Helio users for free, anytime, anywhere. If you don’t do the “all-in” package, then you can add it to your plan for $5 bucks a month a la carte. Useful? If you have a lot of pals or family who use Helio as a provider, then of course. Otherwise, just look and keep walking. Helio lets you talk to friends for free [BGR] → Read More
and I am glad to say that the Ocean is all that and a bag of chips. The device is smaller than a Sidekick 3 and has a number of unique features including GPS photo tagging, consolidated messaging and IM support, and an amazingly easy to use browser and UI. This is a sea change in the MVNO space, friends. Helio has gotten messaging for the masses right and is gunning for Sidekick fans. The phone should be available in the next month or so and, if you use messaging this is definitely something to consider. → Read More
Hot on the tail of the Helio Heat comes the Helio Ocean. This messaging phone, aka the Pantech PN-810, folds out to a keyboard in messaging position and slides to reveal a keypad in phone position. It runs Helio’s own UI and plays MP3s and Windows Media files. So what’s that keyboard for? Well, it supports POP/IMAP mailboxes as well as IM along with GPS and Google Maps. Sidekick? Are you listening? → Read More
Helio’s newest flagship store has been spotted in NYC’s uber-trendy Soho. I’ve been watching the progression of this storefront for the last few months and it wasn’t until about three weeks ago that the ‘shed’ came up. For quite some time it was just a normal storefront that had been covered from the inside with just a Helio sticker logo. I’ve poked my head through the cracks trying to get a grasp of how the store is coming along, but I haven’t had much luck. I see a lot of prep work going on, but nothing that resembles the hip and trendy flagship store in Santa Monica. Nevertheless, I’ll keep you all posted on the progress of the store because it’s right up the street from me and I walk by the monstrosity on a daily basis. If you’re in the area then check it out for yourself, the store is located north of Houston on Broadway between Best Buy and Urban Outfitters. → Read More
that Helio was likely preparing to release the Pantech PN-810 slider. The rumor today is that the new device will be dubbed the Helio Oz. With the Helio Heat just out of the furnace and the Drift standing strong, Helio is positioning itself firmly in the MVNO market. I continue to be intrigued by this, heavily financed, up-and-coming company. We don’t know when this device will be released, or what it’ll cost when it arrives, but perhaps we’ll learn something more later this month at CTIA. Helio’s Next Device: The Oz Smartphone [Gizmodo] → Read More
The Heat is the second device from Helio that I’ve had the opportunity to try. Like the Drift, the Heat is manufactured by Samsung and imbued with all sorts of Helio specifics. Although the Heat retains GPS with buddy beacons, the most distinctive feature of the Drift, it has a lower price point and reduced features. → Read More
I’ll have my review of this up tomorrow, but I wanted to give you all a first look at the hottest device on the horizon, the Helio Heat. This fancy pants Samsung slider from Helio features EV-DO and a bevy of other features, but more on that tomorrow. For now, here is a Helio Heat slideshow: → Read More
Facing tough competition from MVNOs like Amp’d Mobile and Helio, both of which offer unlimited calling/data plans, Sprint will be testing out unlimited access plans in the San Francisco Bay area. One plan will offer unlimited voice calling, messaging, and phone-based Web browsing for $120 a month, while another plan will consist of the aforementioned plus unlimited PC data access for $150 a month. Not bad Sprint, not bad. I really like what I’m hearing. Currently the plan is only in a trial phase but hopefully that’ll change when Sprint realizes people would love an unlimited plan for a reasonable price. Sprint Faces Off Against Hip MVNOs [Phone Scoop] → Read More
Phonescoop just spotted an odd slider from Pantech in some FCC filings. The phone, officially called the Pantech PN-810, has three layers. Sliding it up reveals a standard keypad while sliding it sideway reveals a QWERTY keypad. It has EVDO, Bluetooth, and a 2.1-megapixel camera. Not sure what Helio will call it, but it looks quite promising. Dual-Sliding Messenger Phone for Helio Spotted on FCC Site [PhoneScoop] → Read More
, right down to hidden touch-sensitive keys on the front. The phone is minimalist and aimed at the fashion conscious, and features a 1.3-Megapixel cam and EV-DO to take advantage of that hot unlimited data action you get with Helio. Chances are it’ll get a fancy name, like the Ghost or Stuart or something, and will probably be in the $150 price range when it hits later this Spring. Helio Gest Fashionable Samsung A303 [Phone Arena] → Read More
Everybody’s favorite MVNO Helio today announced that it had reached 70,000 subscribers, a pretty substantial number for a year old company. The results were released because Earthlink, Helio’s parent company in conjunction with SK Telecom, will tomorrow release its annual earnings report. Helio projects that it will reach 100k subscribers by the next quarter. And I certainly hope so, given that it’s floating on $440 million investment by its parent companies. Helio hits 70,000, 100k by next quarter [GigaOM] → Read More
MVNO champ Helio today launched an online music store for its subscribers. An assortment of major label tracks will be available for $1.99 a song and are downloaded via 3G. Worried about your music being stuck on a phone? No worries, as Helio says it’ll have a PC version of the store out by Spring. Along with the PC version will come 99-cents downloads of songs that can be played on both the phone and PC. You say you’re a Prince fan, eh? Sweet. Helio will send you mobile alerts when new tracks from your favorite artists are added to the store so you’ll buy them all up. The company says it expects to reach 100,000 users by the end of Q2. We’re rootin’ for you Helio! Keep reaching for that rainbow! Helio Launches Music Downloads [Phonescoop] → Read More
It’s nigh impossible to open a magazine these days without finding a four-page ad spread telling you that Helio is not just a phone. Nope, its a “Friendar” too! And, even better, it gives you instant access to MySpace! Wow! These ads are the product of one of the largest technology marketing campaigns in recent memory. Unfortunately, they are nearly assuring that Helio will be a gargantuan money-losing debacle. In fact, I’d venture to say that all MVNOs (those smaller cell phone carriers such as Boost Mobile, AMPd, and Helio that essentially rent network space from another carrier) are slowly headed the way of the now-dead ESPN Mobile. And its a shame, because having more competition and consumer choice should help consumers. But it doesn’t have to be this way. MVNOs CAN succeed, click the jump to see how… → Read More
Today Helio announced that its subscribers will be able to pay their bills via Obopay. Targeted mostly for pay-as-you-go users, Obopay is the latest in MasterCard’s way of having you spend money on their terms. It works sort-of like a prepaid credit card that you can use to top up minutes, buy crappy wallpapers, and such. But it’s also so much more! Helio says that if you have a phone with Obopay on it, money can be sent to you from anyone. This is a great way to buy your friends who you occasionally talk to a small — gift like a ringtone or video game (NOTE TO MEN: Do not buy your sig other a ringtone). It seems like a decent product and if you visit Obopay’s website, you can get $5 for signing up and an additional $5 for scamming your pals referrals. Helio taps into Obopay [Electronista] → Read More
The past few years have seen some drastic changes to the cellular landscape. Nextel merged with Sprint, Motorola reemerged as a major competitor, Cingular continues to grow, etc. Perhaps the most peculiar of these developments is the emergence and advancement of the mobile virtual network operators (MVNO). → Read More
I reported Tuesday that the BlackBerry Pearl had a prelaunch status on the Cingular site. Well the sexy BlackBerry candybar is now available to the masses. It carries a $199.99 price with a two year contract. You can get it online now. Or if you prefer brick-and-mortar, a limited but expanding number of retail stores will be carrying the Pearl. Good luck finding one though. Also announced is that the Pearl will support Cingular’s TeleNav GPS. The TeleNav system allows for the routing of 10 trips per month for a fee of $5.99 or $9.99 for unlimited trips. Possibly useful in a pinch, but definitely not as good as something like the Helio Drift. Product Page → Read More
According to our special friends at Gizmodo, there are only ten white Drifts in all the land — but that doesn’t mean we and everyone else shouldn’t get a few as well. I’ve always been a MVNO-hater, but I really see the value in the Drift. This is a focused, software heavy phone with enough user-friendly features to be dangerous. Ignore all the MySpace claptrap — it’s a great partnership, but if you’re not into it, you’re not into it. Instead, consider the GPS-based Buddy Beacon system a great way to keep track of your friends and relations and look at the flat-fee, all-you-can-eat data plan as a new way of getting media and staying connected. We’ll be rocking a full review next week but here are some preliminary shots for you all. → Read More
San Francisco, CA
