Worth Reading?
+103 [133 votes]
Loading ...UPDATE 5/11/2007:
- Guess what comes out today? Helio Ocean
- Helio Ocean hands-on review
- Helio Ocean Review: Come back at 11PM PST
- Helio Ocean Unboxing Video and Initial Impression
First things first: sod the iPhone. Yeah, you read right, forget about it. Stop saving 10-percent of your pay-packet every month, don’t sign 18 to 24 months of your life away to Cingular, think laterally, not with the crowd. Helio have just blown everyone out of the water, and ironically they’ve done it with the Ocean.
Dual-slide for both number pad and full QWERTY. 3G for screaming downloads. Two-megapixel camera with flash, GPS, full HTML browser, 2.4-inch 260k colour QVGA display, on-board stereo speakers, 200MB of internal memory and microSD for more than 2GB more, USB Mass Storage Mode with PC and Mac compatibility… I’m throwing all this out in one fat chunk because if I were to talk you through it we’d be here all day.
And a fat chunk it certainly isn’t: at 4.33 x 2.2 x .86 inches it’s smaller in all dimensions than the Sidekick 3, as well as being lighter at just 5.61oz. It takes all the usual Helio goodies like instant messaging from Windows Live, Yahoo! and AIM, made super-simple thanks to the full keyboard, then adds out-of-the-box support for AOL, Hotmail, Gmail, EarthLink and Yahoo! Mail, Helio’s own email service of course, and Microsoft Exchange for push-email. Extra accounts can be added thanks to custom POP and IMAP profiles.
GPS-reliant features like Buddy Beacon and Google Maps are joined by the new Helio UP service, a way of easily tagging photos with title, description, keywords and geographical location before uploading them to the online Helio Album. Alternatively Helio’s tight MySpace integration means adding pictures to your profile is as straightforward as navigating those of your friends in either the browser, thanks to the Mini Map and page optimisation, or the MySpace on Helio v2 app.
A dedicated chip for handling music playback means you can eke fifteen hours of continuous audio from the media player, and of course there’s support for your own tunes and those bought from Helio Music. If you’re already signed up to an all-you-can-eat PlaysForSure subscription service like Yahoo! or Napster then you’ll be pleased to hear Ocean can play those tracks too. Stereo Bluetooth means you can cut the cord and enjoy your music wirelessly, and downloading fresh material is fast thanks to Ev-do.
So far, so awesome; but all those features aren’t worth a soapy trout if the interface isn’t up to scratch. Thankfully Helio have completely rejigged the UI to suit both portrait and landscape orientations of the new display, and preliminary feedback from our oh-so-fussy sources tell us that it’s every bit as user-friendly as you’d hope. Integration between apps is tighter than the North Korean border, with contact lists tied into each of the IM services for “presence detection” and instant address book search direct from the idle screen.
Traditionally convoluted web-searching is made indecently simple; flick out the keyboard and start typing, direct from the idle screen. Ocean automatically searches Yahoo!, Google, Wikipedia and any other provider you choose, serving results up in a tabbed interface together with local results tied into your GPS location. Meanwhile, the single messaging hub brings together email, SMS, MMS and IM in one dashboard, and Ocean is clever enough to automatically decide on message format depending on recipient and whether pictures or video are attached. Support for multi-tasking means you can still browse the net while listening to music, and with up to 5.1hrs talk-time it doesn’t fall short when it comes to basic phone duties either.
It’s an awesome handset, and you can well believe it when Helio say that not only is Ocean the device the company was born to offer, but that it was in development even before the company was founded. If there’s still a part of you hankering after the iPhone, then maybe the price will convince you otherwise; Ocean will drop this coming Spring with a MRSP of $295. Honestly, I’m considering emigrating to the US just to sign a cellphone contract.
Rest assured that SlashGear will bring you a full hands-on report just as soon as demo models are available.
im not familiar with helio…wonderful job reviewing it here…do you know what phone services it will be used on ..verizon, cingular, etc?
Helio is an independent MVNO, so you’d be signing a contract with them. They’ll be the only people supplying the Ocean; you can check it out at http://www.helio.com
Let’s just say that if I lived in the US my cellphone contract would be with Helio rather than any Cingular, Verizon or any of the others.
Helio’s backbone network is Sprint.
Thanks for the review. This is a pretty intriguing phone. I don’t care for the music and instant messaging features. What I like is the size, dual keyboard and possibility of accommodating an MS Exchange account. I have a few questions:
1. Is this a tri-band or quad-band GSM phone? In other words, will a user be able to use it overseas where GSM basically rules?
2. What OS is it using? I gather from the review that it is proprietary. Is that correct?
3. Does it have wi-fi functionality?
4. Will it sync with an Outlook calendar and Outlook contacts, in addition to email?
I am currently using an i-mate Jamin (aka HTC Prophet) I bought in Europe but wouldn’t mind upgrading to something like the Ocean if it offers the functionality I need. Many thanks.
Looks like this one is whipping the iPhone!
1. Is this a tri-band or quad-band GSM phone? In other words, will a user be able to use it overseas where GSM basically rules?
The Helio Ocean uses Sprint’s network which is CDMA. It’s not a GSM phone, so will not work outside of the United States.
2. What OS is it using? I gather from the review that it is proprietary. Is that correct?
Proprietary inside out.
3. Does it have wi-fi functionality?
With EVDO, there’s no need for WiFi.
4. Will it sync with an Outlook calendar and Outlook contacts, in addition to email?
I’m meeting with Helio today for a close look. I’ll make sure to ask this question along with getting videos and more images.
I’ve just looked through the press material Helio sent us; yes, it will sync with email, calender and contacts from Exchange. It’ll also support push email from providers like Yahoo!
“It’s not a GSM phone, so will not work outside of the United States.”
So this is of interest for us in New Zealand (or Japan, Australia, the UK, China) why?
What’s the point in putting any of these great features into anything that doesn’t work outside of the US. I take it this will be aimed at the top end/business market whom travel outside of the US, and it won’t work?
Yeah great features yadda yadda, but for most of us driving a Toyota would be the sensible thing yet we covert the Corvette or the Aston Martin - this is the point of the iphone.
looks great!
this phone isnt meant for top end business professionals, but rather, well, rich us kids that want to be constantly connected to myspace, and have all sorts of sweet doo-hickeys to play with..think a cdma sidekick with a better camera
AHAHAHAA not GSM?!?! How could Helio put out a phone like that with all the “bells and whistles” and NOT make it GSM! So stupid! But then again ALL Helio’s phones are NOT GSM
so YES! I will keep saving 10 per cent of my paycheck for the Apple phone, ’cause I travel with my phone and that means overseas…
Nadia, Helio isn’t going after the GSM market. I agree with Dustin, the Ocean is marketed towards rich kids with more money than god. If you’re going to complain about about the Ocean not working outside of the US, you can pretty much ***** about all the handsets offered by Sprint and Verizon.
this looks awesome!! so, i would guess that the ocean would support landscape games as well?
I’m into this - I’ve got a “drift” right now, and lucky for me - the thing is defective. So, maybe I can get into an Ocean for cheaper. I don’t care if this device isn’t GSM. It’s exactly what I’ve been looking for.
This is the first phone in quite a while that has made me go, “Wow, I like that!” Not only that, but they were smart and made it a CDMA phone for nice EVDO coverage on the Sprint network.
If it’d come to Verizon, I’d be out to buy it (as long as it had MedioFlo in this hypothetical).
Not many phones are exclusive for long — especially ones with such a useful design.
Does anyone know who makes this? The Helio site doesn’t seem to say…
My guess is that this phone will not supplant the interest for the iphone, as Apple has an amazing way of creating the “it” factor, which Sony (Walkman), and any PC manufacturer knows. If you friend gets a really expensive iphone and you have a much cheaper Helio devide, you will not be cool, just as the same applies to ipod vs. Creative, iRiver, Samsung, and Sony. Just my guess anyway.
Just my personal feeling, but the above phone looks plastic-y, cheaper than the glass and chrome iphone…
This is a super phone from Helio — Shane, Helio is a South Korean company, and if my memory serves me correctly it’s a brand of SK Telecom, the largest network in the mobile-mad Korea. I’ve been seeing Helio ads on Korean TV stations in New York — targeting the Korean-American and student crowd.
I’ve worked in Korea for several years - and except for the food I miss all the super gadgets/phones the most (well, that and the late night soju-sessions with buddies.)
Pantech is the maker of this sweet little device!
Correction, Helio works in many countries that run CDMA, including Korea (since the parent company is in Korea). The website counts 36 countries that it has capability in. I’m traveling in Korea now and I can use my Drift fine. Actually, the signal is much better here than at home (I didn’t even realize I could get 6 bars of signal until I came here :) )
I was a true T-Mobile fan only because I truly enjoyed my Sidekick 2. My contract was up and I decided to try something new. Helio has been great! I had some issues when I first ordered my phone but the Helio customer service was right on top of it. I miss some of the T-Mobile perks but the Helio service, cost, and options have paid for themselves.
I have a drift right now and with the optional 2GB Micro I am using I can keep tons of music and work related items right on my phone. I am excited for the Ocean to arrive, the QWERTY keypad is what I miss the most.
If your looking for a change I highly recomend Helio.
I’ve been using Palm and Windows Mobile/Pocket PC devices for years, but this phone looks fun. I wish it had a touch screen so Soduko won’t be painful. My other concern is I have a large address book with over 1000 entries (yes, I need them all!) and most non-Smartphones can’t handle more than a few hundred.
I love the form factor on this, though!
Can’t reveal too much information on this but I will tell you that your prayers have been answered. 2000 contact support.
Yes, all fine and well, but does it sync to my MacBook?
I have a kickflip and when the ocean comes out i will def be saving my paycheck to go n get it…jus hopefully they dont come out with something newer and better with bluetooth … or i will be very irritated…but overall has good service and things to do…CAN’T WAIT!!!
Vincent,
If you get a chance can you find out if it handles tasks from Outlook as well?
Also anyone, I saw an MSNBC article that said the Ocean would switch form Sprint to Verizon seamlessly, any truth to this? If this thing cna use the Vzw EVDO network I’m on it!
Thanks
I just know that I’m switching over from Cingular to Helio as soon as the Helio Ocean phone comes out (Spring 2007) because you can get so much MORE for so much LESS! Unlimited IM, Text, Picture, Video, Internet, MySpace Mobile, GPS (GoogleMaps), plus the Buddy Beacon feature that you control whether or not your friends see you on the map on their phone. I’m just keeping it 100% real, plus I like the dual-flip feature. The style is also simple yet elegant; so I gotta give whoever came up with the phone design mad props (major credit) for the entirety of the phone.
- G -
im buying this phone
Any idea whether the Helio Ocean supports bluetooth DUN?
I thought the existing Helio devices already support Bluetooth DUN. So if that’s true, the Ocean should too. Can someone confirm?
It is stereo bluetooth capable as is the Samsung drift . anyone know how fast the processor will be ? The one on my drift is sooooo slow ever since I began downloading videos and such.Does helio plan on releasing any BRAND-NAME phones of this nature? Are they ever gonna wise up and hook up with sony/ericsson?!?!!?!
Any of you complaining that Helio’s phones not being GSM can stop your bitching. It is a device for anyone that wants everything all in one. I am fine that it only works in United States, the U.S. is the best country anyways. So why not have the best phones. Comparing the Ocean to the iPhone is like comparing a Ferrari(Helio Ocean) to a freakin’ Honda(iPhone). To sum it all up Helio kick just about every other cellular companies ***. Everyone that supports Helio keep spreading the word. If a cell phone company wants to be smart the would just go with the idea of a satellite coverage so there won’t be any dead spots. Also sign a contract with all the major cell phone makers so there would be various styles. Helio has done its job and I am sure they would be number 1 someday.
Dude i have a drift…so im gonna save up fer this one…its a 15 year olds dream….lol
oh yeah…and I agree totally w/ Austiin
The iphone and helio ocean are both pretty phones. But iphone has to win since its PRETTIER , works for us rich traveling kids.
although all of the features are exciting….the phone does look cheap and plastic. BUT everyone is hyping up the iPhone…Y?? I can tell that it’s going to b a huge headache aside from the $500/$600 MSRP!!! Just like anything else on this earth that is completely touch screen, longevity is limited! duh!!! people need SOME buttons guys! lets think with our brains…I personally will not be saving up for either one! i’m not spending $500 on a phone that might not last throughout the 2 year contract!!! nor will I spend $300 on a phone that looks like it only cost $75 to make! unless helio comes out with some face plates or skins or some type of decor….this rich kid is pocketing her money and buying another surf board…p.s helio has great service but all of their phones have the same cheap appeal….very disappointed….
Phonescoop did a really great job of showing this phone in a hands on video that can be found here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3R_ExzzF3k. If you are unsure about how cool the ocean will be I suggest you watch this. I know i’ll be putting away a bit until it comes out so that it won’t hurt my wallet too much! I can’t wait to upgrade from my hero. The features i’m most looking at are the ability to view full html websites (and even zoom in and out at will) and the ability to have all my e-mail services all in one app. It’s also very cool that I can take the micro SD card from my hero and just pop it right into my new ocean (once i get it of course ^_^). Now if only helio would let me buy it now…
Since Helio uses Sprint as a backbone, any word if this phone will (ever)be available direct through Sprint, or is it forever locked into the MVNO?
Great phone, i only wish they make gsm version
geez since when is $300 rich kid money, the iphone is def more of a rich kid phone
when i was a kid, i would need at least 3 months of my pocket money to afford this phone
what’s a cell phone?
I don’t know what that is either…. but i will get this device… it’s real small isn’t it?
I was with Helio for 4 days… I had the Samsung Drift, their current top model. Volume on the phone is horrible, does not support mp3-ringtones, but rather yamaha mmf which is much lower quality than I’m used to at least. I cannot knock the actual reception and internet speed; it was great. The Google Maps GPS is pretty useless in my opinion; you have to configure a route before you start driving and that’s not convenient if you get lost. Verizon’s GPS service is much better in the sense that it has automatic re-routing and it dictates where to turn and when! However, everything besides that is horrible, with regards to Verizon. Browsing internet websites on the Drift is a nightmare if the website is not formatted for mobile device use; the mini-map browser feature sounds great on the Ocean. As far as bluetooth goes, the Drift could only sync contacts and a hands free device; I could not transfer songs. If some of these options are available on the Ocean, I might consider coming back to Helio; otherwise it just seems like any other cell phone company restricting its customers to purchase their songs, wallpapers, etc. [It does not seem there are restrictions with GSM phones, however].
It’s unfortunate that Helio started off on the wrong foot with the phones they had! The Ocean is a key product launch for these nice folks. I’ve played with it…shot a bunch of videos (still need to be edited) and came to the conclusion that it’s the best handset released by Helio. Pantech did a good job with this unit - good thing for Helio to jump on it quick before another carrier jumped on it.