Hands-on with the Helio Ocean

Color us impressed. We got our first shot at Helio's upcoming superphone today, and from the all too brief time we had, we think this thing is gonna pack a punch. The dual slide mechanism was extraordinarily smooth -- one of the smoothest we've ever felt. It's big, but not unreasonably so for a handset of its capability and form factor, and the software build seemed slick and stable (the messaging app was killer, in particular). Click on for the Ocean in all its split-personality glory!

Gallery: Hands-on with the Helio Ocean

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[akintz @ Mar 27th 2007 12:59PM]

So far this phone is looking to be my substitution when reality hits that I can't afford the iPhone that I will really, really, really want to buy. This may make a nice alternative and also allow me to get away from Verizon.

Though the Sprint backbone does kind of worry me for service around here.

[gb @ Mar 27th 2007 1:40PM]

I recently switched to Helio from Verizon, and haven't looked back. But damn, wish I waited for this. The drift is great, and more compact, but the qwerty keyboard is enough to make me switch. No point in having a chat client on your phone if you're stuff using the numeric keypad.
Plus, when i signed up in February, Helio was still honoring the myspace deal where, if you mention that, you don't have to sign a two-year contract. Which was exactly what I was looking for, since I was hoping to get the iphone. As it is, I think i'll just switch to the ocean.

[Tiffany @ Apr 4th 2007 11:43AM]

The nice thing about Helio is that you can buy the new devices at the sale prices and change it on your number and there is no change to your account whatsoever! Not even to your contract! That's awesome!

[C-Dub @ Mar 27th 2007 4:35PM]

Oh yeah Verizon is gonna have to kiss me goodbye. I have been looking at Helio for awhile and I always thought "no your whole family is on verizon" Then I keep thinking about helio and I keep thinking about helio and then this amazing looking phone jumps out and I think "When was the last time any person in your family has called you on your cell phone besides you mom?" @ gb do you think Helio is a good service, I mean in comparison to verizon?

[c0n0r @ Mar 27th 2007 1:49PM]

Its a Sony Mylo!!!!

[PreGHz @ Mar 27th 2007 3:17PM]

Sony, take note. This is what your Mylo wanted to be. But no.... You had to cripple it.

[Kishen @ Mar 27th 2007 2:11PM]

Are Helio phones available in the UK/Europe, even under a different brand?

[Andy Briggs @ Mar 27th 2007 2:21PM]

Curse those dreaded watermarks! They only spoil the magnificent beauty of an outstanding phone!

[Goodman @ Mar 27th 2007 2:31PM]

I can't wait to see a full review of this thing. The list of clever features is out of this world!

[PEZ @ Mar 27th 2007 4:09PM]

Is that screen illuniated because of the flash or is it just light like that by design? Either way, GIMME.

[joe @ Mar 27th 2007 4:15PM]

beautiful. wish tmobile had this.

[gb @ Mar 27th 2007 5:01PM]

@c-dub: So far, the service is fine. I'm in NYC, so it runs off the sprint towers. And where sprint's not available, it runs off verizon. the call quality isn't noticeably different.
Also, the helio website is a lot easier to navigate and MUCH more straight forward than verizon, and getting through to customer service if you have a quick question is a lot faster with Helio.
Plus, the GPS function is pretty damn cool, and you're not stuck in a verizon shell. Besides a few screens, you can't even tell whose service you're using. which is what i was going for.
bottom line- verizon has the strong network, and that's why i stayed with them so long. But something about them just infuriated me. With helio, not much of a difference in call quality, but less frustrating to deal with. The "don't call it a phone" and myspace thing is kind of lame, but in general, i'm pretty happy with it, especially since I don't have a two-year contract. Just wish I would've waited for the Ocean.

[C-Dub @ Mar 27th 2007 8:40PM]

@gb Oh man thank you I was not even expecting you to see my message :) That is awesome I feel "stuck" when I think of verizon, and I just want some more options. What has really made me made is the lack of straight forward plans you know? It just feels like everything I want is $5 or 10$ extra a month nickle and dimed all the way the shell is horrible. Thank you so much I live in ohio and sprint service is pretty good here so I think I will be alright thanks again.

[just.Rob @ Mar 27th 2007 5:05PM]

http://www.helio.com/page?p=ocean_signup&


Free Ocean and year of service?


Yes please!

[frank @ Mar 27th 2007 6:46PM]

Are there any Chicago Helio customers out there that can confirm reception in subway tunnels? I had a Drift for a few weeks but didn't get to test it out thoroughly. US Cellular is the only carrier with infrastructure underground but they're (seemingly) a bogus local carrier with crapola handset selection. They make a big deal out of advertising that they're the only ones with towers in the tunnel. The few times I took my phone underground, I seemed to get text messages. I'm guessing Helio has a roaming contract with them.

[Leomar @ Mar 27th 2007 9:13PM]

Overall it seems like a kick-ass phone but I can't see myself with wi-fi on my phone anymore.

[Leomar @ Mar 27th 2007 9:19PM]

Overall it seems like a kick-ass phone but I can't see myself *without* wi-fi on my phone anymore.

[Justin @ Mar 28th 2007 8:56AM]

Who needs WiFi when Helio's plans include unlimited EV-DO?

[Bowie @ Mar 28th 2007 11:32AM]

Is that a Replacement's reference?

[Thor @ Mar 28th 2007 12:34PM]

So is a GSM og CMDA phone?

[Bruce @ May 10th 2007 3:02AM]

when exactly is the helio ocean in stores? the helio website states that it'll be in spring.. and spring is basically over?

[Ryan @ Jul 3rd 2007 11:26PM]

well its out just getting ur hands on on is gona be a handful i ordered mine from a 3rd party store and its not coming for another week atleast

[Bruce @ May 13th 2007 12:09AM]

Hey Ryan... I just found out that it was out 2 days ago through Helio, on its website. And they so happen to let me know that I could still be charged the "new member" fee of $295 but I also had to upgrade my contract another 2 years. They also mentioned that by doing so, I get 50% off of my first 3 month bills.

[Mike Stark @ May 14th 2007 11:28PM]

The new Ocean's launched on Friday, and I came across a promotional code to save some serious green when you go to buy it.

==> $75 off the $295 pricetag
==> $30 Activation Fee waived
==> $25 off first four months of service ($100 total)

Go to the Helio website and use the promo code B2BDGOD

I ordered my Ocean on Friday and got it this morning... and it’s awesome!

[Mike Stark @ May 14th 2007 11:28PM]

The new Ocean's launched on Friday, and I came across a promotional code to save some serious green when you go to buy it.

==> $75 off the $295 pricetag
==> $30 Activation Fee waived
==> $25 off first four months of service ($100 total)

Go to the Helio website and use the promo code B2BDGOD

I ordered my Ocean on Friday and got it this morning... and it’s awesome!

[luckypilla @ Jun 22nd 2007 4:00PM]

as a chicago user, I can confirm that my ocean has amazing service above ground and is even great underground for phone calls and texts (3G service is present but spotty underground). Underground functionality is an amazing bonus that I didn't even expect.

I've had my ocean for a few days now, and I am more and more impressed each day with helio's functionality, phone/data service and customer service.

love the device...and the whole deal.

[Promo Codes @ Jun 26th 2007 8:26PM]

With the new Ocean, and I came across a promotional code to save some serious $$$ when you go to buy it.

==> $75 off the $295 pricetag
==> $30 Activation Fee waived
==> $25 off first four months of service ($100 total)
==> 1 Month free TV service($5.99)

Go to the Helio website and use the promo code *** B2APOD ****

I used this Promo Code this morning and my Ocean is on its way finally.. I am so so so EXCITED… This phone seems to be really cool, especially since you can browse YouTube & Myspace and it has Push E-Mail… Its all I need in a phone… Goodbye Heat!!!!

[Promo Codes @ Aug 13th 2007 8:43PM]

Hi Everyone,

My name is Ashley Penland and I am a Account Executive for B2B @ Helio. All prior promo codes have expired and are unable to be used on Helio.com. There is a new discount availible that I can offer. Here it is, enjoy:

35% off any Device
No Activation fee ($30)
10% off $85 & $100 rate plan monthly ($306- $360 discount)
33% off $145 unlimited plan monthly ( $1,722 discount)
It is a 24 month contract. Great News!!! The discount is good for 36 months

Phones:
Heat - $100 ($65 after discount)
Drift - $145 ($94.25 after discount)
Ocean - $295 ( $191.75 after discount)

Let me know !!! This is a limited time discount

Ashley Penland
[e-mail]
Device: 818.859.5064

[Luis @ Aug 29th 2007 11:50PM]

I ordered my Ocean Yesterday. I'm really looking forward to testing it out, and seeing if it truly is at the same lvl or better then the iPhone. Hopefully i get it by the end of the week!

[G-moe @ Aug 31st 2007 9:12PM]

No, it is not the same thing, i have nextel and my HELIO works better, lacks on SOFTWARE to backup contacts on the computer or modify them here, and i have the unlimited package, i am waiting to get another helio, but i have been calling this girl ASHLEY and i don't get her to pickup the phone, cause might be better the deal she got....

I feel confient with the HELIO (since use sprint towers) so, i will switch all my friends to this service

Lack on software to copy music to the Cell phone or even videos.... i guess they forgot to give me a CD with those things, but not even on the website i found that....

Anyways, a phone is to place calls, and at least, Helio does it good

[chris @ Sep 26th 2007 10:24AM]

I just got a Helio Ocean in VA near DC. The service is what I was used to with my PPC-6700 on the Sprint network.

The Ocean will over-the-air sync contacts with the contacts you enter on the Helio's website! You can even upload your contacts in a .csv file!

The Ocean also comes with a USB cable to connect to your pc and a CD for music and video upload to the device. I haven't tried that yet.

I'm also using Ocean's integration with my company's Microsoft Exchange Server (+ $9.95/month). It syncs email, calendar and contacts (not tasks, which works for me). It displays an alert for calendar events and incoming email.

IM'ing on yahoo is very good through EVDO connection.

The GPS integration with Google Maps isn't bad at all. Business search and directions!

And, as a phone, it works much better than the PPC-6700 I carried for 2 years!

It has a speaker phone. Stereo bluetooth ability.

One of my favorite features is its ability to switch between ring and silent/vibrate ring modes by holding the '*' down.

And the unlimited plan beats the pants off the sprint plan I had.

Regards,
Chris

[peternj @ Sep 8th 2007 12:29PM]

In NYC, just ordered an Ocean, switching end of month from Verizon. Helio offers transfer of old cell number anytime so I thought I'd try it out for 30 days. Worried about Sprint backbone but relieved that it uses Verizon also. Got the 191 dollar deal, came to 211 with tax I guess.
Very young feel to the sales service in every respect compared to Verizon. Helio sales rep got everyone to cheer a welcome to Helio at me. Hell I feel 25 years younger already. Strange company, reminds me of Apple.

[brian @ Oct 29th 2007 10:46PM]

what phone are they comparing the ocean too,, just curious bstant