Let's face it, the
comparisons between (insert phone here) and Apple's handset began long ago, and now that the thing is actually in customers' hands, the potshots are likely to start flying at mach speed. Enter
Helio, who has already felt it necessary to create a comparison chart essentially showing off the areas in which the
Ocean is stronger (or at least more attractive) than the
iPhone. Quite frankly, the chart does make a few good points, most notably around the iPhone's lack of GPS, strangely omitted MMS ability, and the obligatory removable battery; of course, we personally aren't offended nor joyous about "MySpace integration," but we suppose it could sway some
folks tweens one way or another. We know you're anxious to see just what Helio has to say about the strong competition, and while the chart doesn't seem quite as hostile as the apparently bitter Helio salesman we
ran into earlier today, be sure to give it a read after the break.
posted Jun 30th 2007 7:43AM
exactly go Helio Ocean (which i own)
Wow on paper the Helio looks great. Too bad in real life it looks like crap
but this only compared to the Ocean, which is more in-line with Danger's HipTop phones (aka SideKick)
I'd like to see it compared to the likes of PocketPC phones
One thing is though, the iPhone has two things that were lost with the standalone PocketPCs
sharper screeens, and no keyboard to keep it thin
I don't see how getting rid of a keyboard makes things better, and you can't even use a stylus for the keyboard!
it looks like crap?? bhahaha um ok.the ocean blows the iphone out of the water.
When it is finally on sale here in Europe it will be a much better phone. There are still some serious issues which needs to be resoled until I'm ready to buy one. I have found out that:
*bluetooth can't be used to transmit content to other devices.
*music files can't be used as ringtones or as a wake up signal for the alarm clock.
*MMS messages can't be received at all.
*third party Java games can't be installed on it.
*there are at the moment only 10 000 youtube clip available for the iPhone.
*everytime you change SIM card the phone has to be reactivated. This is extremly stupid and annoying. Especially for people who have more than one *SIM card or those you frequently travel to different countries.
*email passwords and user namne can't be saved
*content such a pictures and music from the net cannot be saved on the phone.
*No memory card to increase capacity.
This has always been my problem with Apple. They develop amazing products but then they deliberately put stupid limitations on them to control what the user can and cannot do. As a power user it bugs the hell out of me since I want to be able to to exactly what I want to. If atleast half the big flaws above are resolved when iPhone 1.5 is launched here in Europe, I will happily hand over 500 or 600 euro to Apple for an iPhone
Can you really not send pictures to a friends phone through bluetooth? That's weak!
*MMS messages can't be received at all.
I was thinking about this and I figured in the end that you actually could receive them. When a phone can't recieve an MMS (ie 2G phones), most carriers send a text message saying "go on the internet to find the contents of this MMS" with a URL and a password/ID for the contents of the message. Since the iPhone has internet, you can view the contents of the message from Safari.
I know it's a roundabout way of doing it, and you can't *send* MMS, but just saying. you CAN receive MMS on the iPhone.
I'd have one if a. it was available prepaid and b. if I wasn't in Australia
do you know the coolest thing of the iphone? you can update it. maybe you won't have 3g with a software update but a lot of feature that you ask you could find them in the next update... who knows...
To be fair to the iPhone, most of its standout features are things which can't be expressed on stats sheets.
What do you mean? They can just add one more row called "Apple Logo" to the above sheet and that covers it right?
i concur. and even with the missing emotional and quality of design/materials factor, there's still quite a few missing stats - memory storage is the obvious one. how much memory does this helio have, anyway? i'm assuming not 4 or 8 gb, since that line is missing.
Correct me if i'm wrong, but, can you still BUY a Helio after the whole Quacolmm issue?
I had turned a coworker on to the Helio last month - after only 2 days he dropped, broke it, and had to send it in for repair. The shit hit the fan with the ban, and he was told he would be unable to recieve a replacement unit - instead, they offered his money back or an alternate device.
I always thought the Helio looked promising - especially with the dual slider functionality - but knew I was too stuck on getting the iPhone to seriously consider getting one myself.
hello engadget...lets stop swinging on the apple and make mention of the 8330 coming out in sept for tmobile. it will be @home enabled.
While I'm on t-mobile... this has to be the dumbest comment I have heard. People don't buy mobile phones they can sit "@home" on them. Besides, how's that differ from WiFi?
@don
You're kidding right? Lemme break it down for ya.
"@home" allows you to use wifi for airtime when you're at home. no more having to spend money on minutes talking to people while you are at home, a la voice over ip.
the iPhone has no support, at all, for voice over ip (using wifi to make calls instead of airtime). so, those people, although few, who have horrible reception in their house but great reception everywhere else would benefit because they would have "perfect" reception while in range of their @home router. so would those people who only use a mobile phone and don't use landlines.
all Windows Mobile phones with WIFI can support voice over IP. the iPhone doesn't.
Jees, what have Apple been wasting so much time over worthless pointless stuff like 'ease of use' for...bucket loads of features is what is important. That's what everyone wants - everyone knows this except Apple. They just sooo don't get it - I don't think they ever will. Michael Dell was right - they should just close Apple and return the stockholders money. The Tech world would be so much better off without Apple's perverted vision of simple, elegant and powerful technology...Why don't they understand It really doesn't matter how well it works or how complicated it is - in fact the more complicated the better - just cram it in there...keep these amazing products coming to our attention Engadget - were loving them...
Are you being sarcastic?
People don't WANT bucket loads of features. The iPod doesn't have the bucketloads of features found in competitors: FM radio, voice recording, complete PDA functionality, WiFi (hell the shuffle doesn't even have a SCREEN!), and yet it's the most successful MP3 player out there.
I want "bucketloads" of features... and for $600 shouldn't I get them? Nope, instead for $300 I got them on a Windows Mobile 6 device.
TAYLOR:
guess what? We do want bucket loads of features, also the only reason its popular is because of the hippie apple freaks. Get over it. It is like the Zcavaricci pants from the 80's. Wow you have a tag on the outside of your zipper! Im running to the store!
Hold on..I don't ha an iPhone, and don't want no iPhone either but....The Helio doesn't have any GPS chip AFAIK. I may be wrong..but they are using cell towers/anthena to locate your position (depending on you signal quality , position is update every 30s or minute etc..). Companies shoud stop calling this GPS cause it isn't. It's a simple service provided by the netwrok.
Yes you are are. The Helio Ocean uses BOTH radio towers and a GPS sensor. When I'm inside the GPS isn't perfectly accurate and tends to jump around a bit, which is normal for a cell tower fix, but when I'm outside it immediately picks up satellites and knows where I am.
About the How much memory does Ocean have? However much you want it to have, it has removable memory. And 200MB internal. Oh and BTW, that 200MB isn't the memory it uses to load games, Apps and internet data. The 200MB is solely for pics and music. Can't remember exactly what the total "non accessible" memory is.
Also, the AT&T service only allows for 200 text messages. Holy crap I go through that in a week ON TOP of my talking. for only $65 a month I get unlimited EVERYTHING and 500 minutes + Unlimited nights and weekends. AT&T you dont get unlimited nights and weekends only 250 minutes and 200 text messages...man glad I got my Ocean.
Not to be incomplete, the Ocean has bugs in the software, even though the hardware seems to be flawless. But simple over the air updates will eventually fix those. Helio's customer service isn't 100%. That comes with being a tiny company though. I hope as it grows and gets more employees they will get better.
All in All, $200 for my Ocean (rebate) vs. $500 for the iPhone(no rebate even possible) is no contest. I have more features, more service, a better carrier, and it costs less. And personally, the rubberized casing on my Ocean makes me much more confident that i am not going to dorp and break it. so what you will about its appearance but until you actually hold one and play with it, you'll never know the true greatest of the Helio Ocean.
Please forgive my typos. I get a little steamed when people follow hype instead of logic. And my fingers tend to move faster than my brain.
Quite honestly helio has a horrible advertising campaign. I'm 29 and I've seen their clever commercials, but I always thought they were prepay or something like that. All they really needed to do was list the features of the phone in a simple matter and what kind of pricing was with each phone.
You could say that they should thank the iphone for all the publicity. They really should run an add with this chart instead of the ones they are currently running. They'd do quite a bit better.
I had an Ocean. A great piece of hardware, terrific features, great price. Unfortunately, the software was crap. I returned it after a couple of days, and now I'm back to using a Sidekick 3.
The iPhone looks interesting to me too, but this time I'm not going to be quite so quick to buy. I'll wait for the next generation version with 3G (presuming I can make the touchscreen work acceptably well for texting).
Just read from forums at mancrumors that you can't even UPLOAD or DOWNLOAD content when browsing in safari on the iPhone...let's just say i can see plenty updates ala Microsoft style!
As to Helio's chart - fair play isn't it! I don't like how the helio looks (two sliders), but then I don't like how the iPhine restricts both software, hardware and carrier.
Yes, I was being sarcastic...
Honestly, the Ocean owns the iPhone in almost every way except hype. That's just the way it is: Marketing will always trump features.
I have an Ocean. all I have to say is:
Bugs, bugs, bugs, bugs,bugs,bugs,bugs,bugs,bugs,bugs,bugs,bugs,bugs,bugs
You get the idea?
maybe if the fix the bugs, which no one knows if they will since there is 0 communication between helio and its users. Then I could see it being a contender. (thought apples interface is WAY easier) if the iphone had 3g and gps I'd sell my ocean now. Going down to the apple store today, might come out with an Iphone.
I'm glad you said that, because I'd been looking at the Helio stuff since the iPhone was announced, and I was really thinking one of the models would be better. I even posted a few places like here and TUAW that Helio had GPS, IM, 3G, etc., so why couldn't Apple? You saved me from making a costly mistake, maybe. I'm still not buying v1 iPhone, though. :) Maybe v2 or later, when they add features I want.
Peteo:
Some Oceans came with some software problems that can be easily resolved by factory default resetting the device. I should know. Mine was freezing up big time in the applications, they did a factory default reset to my device, got my contacts back on within 5 minutes, and everything has been great!!!
Sure, the iPhone is missing several noteworthy features and the Helio Ocean is also a really cool device. But a lot of important specifications are strangely absent from this comparison list:
1 Screen size
2 Screen resolution
3 Device weight
4 Device dimensions
5 Battery life
6 Included memory
7 Video playback options and framerates
8 Audio playback options
9 Complete list of bundled software
10 Memory slot
The iPhone crushes the Ocean in the first 9 and I'm guessing they left off the memory slot because they didn't want to call attention to the Ocean's paltry amount of memory.
Also the only mention of the iPhone's most important feature (its touch screen) is in the "Hardware Keyboard" category (as if touch screen doesn't deserve a category). No mention of the multi-touch screen. No mention of the iPhone's gesture-based interface. No mention of visual-voice mail.
"I'm guessing they left off the memory slot because they didn't want to call attention to the Ocean's paltry amount of memory."
meaning that's why Helio left the Ocean's memory slot off this list, not why iPhone doesn't have a memory slot (as if that wasn't obvious)
I switched to helio and the ocean for 2 days this week. The streaming video and several other features are very cool-when they work. i would jump between 1 and 4 bars sitting still and web pages would not not and the like. it froze on me te first day and had to remove the battery. i returned it and got the iphone last night.
i was skeptical about the lack of 3g, mms, and video recording but must say that i am incredibly impressed. this is the coolest, simplest, most beatiful device i have handled. it is solidly built and the OS is fantastic. i usually spend a few days figuring out how to utilize all of a phones features. i took less than an evening with this. plugged it in to itunes and in a few minutes had contacts, calendar, photos, music, video, everything handled nicely with itunes! if a phone can be worth $600, this one certainly is.
That's marketing for you. I think I'd still rather have an iPhone.
"*email passwords and user name can't be saved"
Dude, who told you that? I have my iPhone in front of me and my email is setup and my login and passwords is saved.
Where do you people go to for false information? MS?
Touchscreen may be appealing to you, however Have you ever tried to use the touch screen keyboard on the Iphone.? its is ridiculous. almost impossible. I would rather pee salt than to use any touchscreen smaller than 4 inches.
GO QWERTY AND GO HELIO!
I wonder what the Helio's ipod and videoplayer is like and it's kick arse PC client s/w and internet store ?
You may make a comparison with Nokia N95!
Hmmm... it looks like the chart compares everything the Helio has to the iPhone... how about comparing what the iPhone has to the Helio?
I suppose that it matter not that navigating your phone by a joystick is the single most confusing, tortuous and traumatic experience ever undertaken on planet earth on any gadget anywhere...
Thank crap for Apple touch screen...being able to use your finger like it is a mouse pointer - GENIUS!!!!
Being able to click into a text field and just type instead of 'up-up- up-left- left- down- enter' with the crappy joystick...OMFG what a nightmare these joystick phones are
that single touch screen -multi-touch feature alone makes the IPHONE the geius product of the last 20 years.
And it's only just begun - sheet the bed - in 6 months the advances on this piece of kit in S/W will be mind blowing.
Anyone who can't see this reasoning is mentally challenged or on the payroll of a telco/phone competitor...
We need a /full/ comparison. This leaves out storage (where iPhone wins), power saving/life, screen size, and gallery features (that's where iPhone wins hands down).
I have both. I love the Ocean and iPhone is a much more elegant, intuitive, and much easier to use. The large iPhone screen and finger-fun interface is a joy and light years ahead of dpad scrolling. Yes, EDGE is slower and I am finding it worth the wait just to see everything on the beautiful large screen and not having to use a joy pad to get around. Ocean is absolutely worth the money and so is the iPhone. They are two completely different experiences. It is like comparing an IPod with other MP3 players; for a price Apple delivers an elegant and easy experience while others may do the job just fine with less finesse.
a phone is a phone. when you cant change the batteries. it's a brick.
i personally own a HP6828 with extended batteries. i can do talk time 8hrs. or max of 100+ real life standby time. heck. i use the phone about 2 hrs talk time a day and i charge it every 3 days. a phone without removable batteries is like a laptop without removable batteries.
> purezerg @ Jun 30th 2007 11:53AM
> a phone without removable batteries is like a
> laptop without removable batteries.
Interesting analogy. Know how many times I've removed the battery on my laptops over the last 10 years? Twice, and only to open whatever access panel was under the battery.
Since the iPhone uses an iPod connector, you can use any of the dirt cheap AA battery chargers available on Ebay. Or keep a USB cable at work and charge it there. Whatever... even if it's an issue for you, I really don't see the fixed battery being a big deal for most users.
Read what you wrote. iPhone ALREADY has 8hrs of talk time without the need to lug an extra battery around. Don't tell me it is more satisfying to have 4hr cell and then carrying around an additional 4hr battery. The more things in your pocket, the better, right?
The Helio salesman talked me out of the Ocean, claiming that the software was "not really ready yet!" Guess he didn't want to see me back in a couple of days?
The first iPhone is much like when Apple released OS 10.0. It doesn't provide all the features it needs to, but cool on what it does do.
I'll be fine on my older OS Treo 755P for the next 2 years. Faster internet, more features, free tv/movies off the home computer/tuner, record all conversations (don't ask), and I pay 20.oo less a month for the same usage. We could compare a lot and have the treo 755P win probably most categories. But, the iPhone is absolutely cool and the interface is much better. Having the strong foundation, Apple just needs to add features like crazy over the next year before the competition catches up.
When my contract is up and Apple has the iPhone humming along, I'll probably be there first in line.
For those who have one now. Have fun and enjoy it. Just like I was an earlier adopter (another name Apple users for Beta tester), you're making sure those who follow get a better product. Since you'll be buying the next version too, you win also.
Stuck in China- iPhone's coming out here in 2008 last I heard. I'll be so jealous of you in the US... NOT! I have a far better phone that suits my needs (Toshiba 904T- REAL GPS, chip, antenna and everything; QVGA 2.4in screen- it's smaller but it's all I need; 3.2MP camera; video recording and full-screen playback; Japanese-English dictionary; approx 1-2 days of usage per charge for me- yes, for me the dictionary is a pretty big thing) and if I don't like it anymore and want an iPhone I can avail myself to one of the some 5-odd clones out there (unlocked auto-switching dual-SIM and no activation; beat that, Apple- no, Mac OS X Mobile has no appeal to me without third-party Java appli support; I like to access my programs *offline* too thank you very much, and doubt you have dual-SIM).
Toshiba Makes Phones?
For America, only once on Sprint. For Japan, loads and loads. The 904T is one of the ones that are usable in the States.
Hehe.. I love to see Mac fanboys frothing at the mouth.
:-)
The only people frothing at the mouth are the jealous anti-iPhone freaks. I really can't understand how emotional they are *against* the iPhone. It truly is pure ignorance. Yes, the iPhone doesn't do everything, but as Apple has clearly stated from the beginning, software updates will continue to add new features seamlessly. Within a year, the iPhone will have transformed into an entirely new phone without the customer having to do anything special, spend any time installing confusing software, or spending any (or much) money.
but wait, i thought in the commercials, didn't the Helio guys say "don't call it a phone"? so why would they feel threatened by the iPhone if it's not in "competition" with them?
What bothers the crap out of me about my Ocean:
-YouTube support proudly listed by Helio above- $6 per month.
-Random slowdowns and pauses is navigating the menus.
-Applications/browser crash inexplicable when "Could not connect to Bluetooth".
-The iPhone's "HTML browser" is a whole heck of a lot better than Ocean's "Full HTML browser" when it comes to rendering pages, or navigating them, or not squeezing them down to nothingness.
-After two months, I still haven't gotten it hooked up to a computer for anything other than music transfer...Mac or PC
-And what a fun process music transfer was. It loves to corrupt music file names (Mac, not tried from a PC)
-The qwerty keyboard is great, but doesn't have prediction or correction enabled.
-Complete lack of application library. I guess the platform is closed? Things are only available as Helio gets around to writing them, and then proceeds to tack x dollars onto the monthly cost.
-How about a GPS enabled gas price finder widget. Or a weather app that isn't AccuWeather.
-The top row of qwerty keys is a pain to hit. The keypad is awkward and hard to T9 reliably.
-AIM makes a racket unless the phone is silenced. No independent volume control.
-It should take 2-3 keystrokes to bring up a text message to a speeddial contact. Many more are required cause you always have to search their name, or choose it from a list if they're recent.
-No continuous checking of IMAP email.
-You can set a ringtone for the daily "Wake-up Call", but not for the plain-jane Alarm...you have to listen to a awful built-in ring with it.
-The Ocean doesn't have copy/paste either.
Not to mention worthless Tech Support and no promise of software updates so that these problems with never get fixed.
I have things I'd be annoyed about on an iPhone too, but I'd wish I had just waited for it and scraped together the extra cash for it.
Please, please, do a comparison like this between an iPhone and a T-Mobile Wing. (I know this chart comes from Helio) I think there's quite a few longtime Engadget readers like myself who've opted for a WM6 device.
If you do such a comparison, don't forget to mention all the free or low cost 3rd party apps for WM6. (that's apps, not browser plugins)
Freeware Rats & Spears FTW! (my personal best is 82.3)
Helio: 2MP Camera with flash and zoom
iPhone: 2MP Camera, no flash no zoom
OK... but they fail to mention that the "zoom" in the Helio is a stupid 2x *digital zoom* and that it limits the picture resolution to 800x600, in other words, it is *exactly* like no zoom (ie, just cropping). They also fail to mention that even though both phones have a 2MP camera (1600x1200 max resolution), the iPhone has better "real" resolution (even though both pale when compared to a dedicated digital camera, obviously):
http://www.wirelessinfo.com/content/Apple-iPhone-Cell-Phone-Review/Imaging.htm
http://www.wirelessinfo.com/content/Helio-Ocean-Review/Imaging.htm
I was in a war, having to decide between iPhone and an Helio Ocean, and although I lack so many of the sweet syncing Mac + iPhone features and amazing touch screen interface I am still very happy with my Helio Ocean!
It might not be as sleek or Apple physique as the iPhone, but the Helio Ocean stands strong with usage and plan costs.
I own a Helio Ocean that I bought in May when it first came out assuming that I wouldn't buy an iPhone, but I ended up buying an iPhone on Friday.
I'd say that yes the Ocean is stronger in some things such as 3G, IM, Video Camera, Flash and Expandable media. However there are many downsides, first you can only use the Ocean in the United States and various other countries that SK Telecom has towers in and nobody actually visits. Another thing is that everybody says the iPhone is slow on the internet, well the iPhone uses "Fine EDGE" giving it a 200 kb/s speed, making it almost comparable to 3G. My iPhone loads websites pretty fast depending on the site, oh a did I mention that if I want to goto myspace I can goto myspace in my safari browser where as on my ocean everything is shrunk down and I am confused as hell. I cant even use the ocean browser because it sucks. Granted I can watch streaming video and listen to streaming audio on the ocean but the quality is awful compared the video I get on the iPhone.
As far as games go, I already have a bunch of games on my iPhone, they are all web based games and they work pretty well, it's no tetris but it's still fun. Also instant messaging is really easy on my iPhone because of all the messaging web based applications. However that doesn't matter because in future updates instant messaging will be included with the development of iChat on the iPhone. I'm a developer for apple and a little sneak for you guys it's coming.
Email wise, you can use and email on the iPhone, not only that you can sync anything calender from anyserver.
If I had to compare the Oceans keyboard to the iPhone I would have to rate the Oceans a little higher all though I cannot type on the top row of it that well cause it's so crammed. The iPhone is also hard to type, but it corrects for me and I have only had it a day so I'm not exactly used to it yet.
The camera on the iPhone is great, but no flash and no video. Come on apple. Video is currently supported however it's locked until further updates, however third party developers are allowed to use this technology well developing even though Apple has not released this update yet. The cameras are comparable, the iPhone takes sharper images during the day or well lit areas but the the Ocean takes photos pretty well all together.
The one thing about the iPhone is that it's small, the ocean feels like a brick and I hate that. The ocean is also an ugly thing compared to the iPhone. The storage is comparable. Seeing how the largest transflash you can fit in the Ocean is 4GB, it only can compare to the 4GB iPhone.
Another thing about being a Helio Ocean user and an iPhone user, and a dedicated Mac user is snycing with my Mac. I like Helio's interfaces on their phones because I'm a Mac guy, but it just does not work at all with OS X, however the iPhone and my Mac are best friends now.
I almost forgot to mention MMS and GPS. MMS is stated that is not possible on the iPhone which is a lie. When you hit text you cannot send it, however if you use your email you can email it to a number as long as you know the phone numbers last part of the email, it's the same as MMS but with MMS it does not include the extension. So when I was with tmobile I could email to my phone a picture by doing number@tmo.com. Thats all you need to know and you just need to know friends providers it's pretty easy especially when you can store emails in the iPhone address book so easily. Now lets get to the GPS. Here's my thing Where is the GPS on the Ocean? Because as far as I've seen the Helio Ocean only uses Google Maps with turn by turn directions that you manually have to click forward or back on. To break it down when you hit Google on the iPhone it is the same exact program. Google Maps and it is the same manual directions. There is no realtime GPS on either phone.
One more thing before I spilt, on the Ocean you can't put any downloaded iTunes music on it, however the iPhone is a freakin iPod also.
iPhone vs Ocean. It's all about the iPhone take it from a guy who owns both.
I called Helio on Friday (have been thinking about buying an Ocean for a long time) and not only am I convinced it is a better device, but they gave me an additional $100 off after I said I was thinking of getting an iPhone. $195 and 30 days free to see if I want it? I asked a thousand questions... no small print. Full rebate on everything if I decide to return it. Are you kidding me? I'm sold. I'm just a bit concerned about the bulkiness. I have deep pockets, but damn. We'll see. IMO th eiPhone is for idiot Label Whores... not those using logic.
fyi, the first 30 days are NOT free. i was misinformed as well by a helio operator when i bought the phone over the 800 line. then i got my bill. after escalating my complaint about misinformation a supervisor kindly issued me a 50 dollar credit and explained that what the operator meant to tell me is that there is a 30 day happiness guarantee where i can return the whole thing within 30 days only pay for minutes used, with activation fee and term fee waived. helio also bills a month in advance... the did however give me my first five days prior to the beginning of my billing cycle "gratis".
the gps on the ocean does actually track your location and auto update ...albeit at a pretty slow pace
i am wondering if you can actually use the iphone to aquire your current location on a google map
i have to say that feature has already come in very handy ...i have been able to guide myself out of being lost ....or search where the nearest ritz cameras are from my exact location while driveing then call the nearest one by clicking on its icon on the map
the iphone looks cool and i would love it if it just had mms 3g and gps but i really feel like the UI is not enough to justify those ommisions
and you can't add hsdpa with an over the air software update
maybe in 2 years they will make a cdma version then i will have to see
They forgot to add removable SD, and vibrate to the list
I have an Ocean and have a Mac too. It syncs media with OS X with no problem.
STOP TALKING ABOUT JUST THE HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE!
What about service? thats why I went with Helio. Unlimited everything for only $65 the iPhone requires added data plans for that.
I don't know about all of you but i got my Helio so I can communicate with my friends all I want without worring about going over my plan for cheep.
The iPhone is focused more on being an iPod than it is on the phone service.
I mean the iPhone doesn't even support mms which has got to be the coolest feature of any phone.
Oh and don't forget about Helio UP you can upload videos straight to YouTube right after you take them and photos to flickr.
And Helio support IS extremely helpful and friendly.
All of my problems were solved quickly and effortlessly.
"Hello, how can I make your day better?"
Remember. . .
Its not just another phone, and they're not just another phone company.
Its Helio!
I bought a defective Helio Ocean, MP3 player & card reader didn't work, it liked to shut off whenever, and the browser didn't work properly (images didn't load). Helio had me do a bunch of stuff then they said it was defective and they were going to send me a new one for free (on the condition that I send the old one back within 45 days, they sent me a prepaid envelope). They even credited me $50 with allowed me to redownload all my ringtones, video rings, my 1 wallpaper, and my games (I know you can go to Account, then Downloads and redownload them there, but I'm talking about the ones that I bought over 6 months ago that expired). After redownloading everything, I still had $18 left over!
I used to have AT&T back when it was Cingular, my phone was a Sony Ericsson W600i. To this day, I still miss FM radio and being able to make my own ringtones, but hey, atleast now I can actually have a bill under $100 each month.
With Cingular, $100 got me - 900 Minutes, 1000 SMS, 0 MMS, Unlimited Internet, and Insurance
With Helio, $100 got me - 1000 Minutes, Unlimited SMS, Unlimited MMS, Unlimited Internet, Insurance, and Mobile TV!
I'm a Mac user too, I absolutely can't stand windows. I can sync my MP3s perfectly with my Ocean from my Mac (even though Helio says it can't be done). Even though I'm a Mac Addict, I never did like the iPod and Helio Ocean still has so many more features than the iPhone, it's just more convenient. I'd never go back to AT&T anyways, they gave me nothing but problems.
One last thing, I like the idea of not being able to take it out of the country. I took my Sony Ericsson to Norway with me for 7 weeks last summer (1 week of June, entire month of July, and 2 weeks of August)
June - $314
July - $1102
August - $501
...ridiculous? I think so!
Apple iphone is for the Paris Hilton glamour types... wouldnt know where to start if i handed you a treo or blackberry... Ocean is no winner either but I see what theyre trying to do... sorry, stickin with my treo... watching cable tv channels using sling box... beat that!!! pay me, and i'll show you how to do it... but its way too technical over your head, thats why you use an iphone... wooohooo you can play music on your phone and browse the web.. and "the screen moves when i touch it"???? REALLY??? ARE YOU ALL SERIOUS???? Been doing this for years on my mobile devices!!!!
Got an iPhone, and a new Ocean. Forthcoming features will make the iPhone a more desirable device. The comparison chart is cute, but I believe the 2 devices to be apples and oranges (no pun intended). If I wasn't a tech tester, I wouldn't buy the iPhone yet. For those of us that work in an Exchange environment, the iPhone lack of integration makes it a tough sell. The Ocean now has this, making it a viable alternative to a Blackberry. Touch technology and beautiful screen notwithstanding, I need a device I can use for work and personal use. Like most people, the fewer devices, the better.
Just the ocean from Metro Cellular (nationwide distributor)... Did NOT meet all my expecations... did anybody notice any lag on the phone? Also, the bluetooth capabilities are a little weak... Other than that it synce real well with my e-mail (except g-mail... little laggy). I think if you get the ocean you HAVE to get a hotmail e-mail because it pushes the e-mail through almost instantaneously. All-in-all Got a great deal: ocean+car charger+$30.00downloads+leather case+bluetooth headset+fedex = 179.99 Found it on ebay there's cheaper prices on ebay but none of them have this kind of package... including 99.00/mo unlimited minutes.. call them up 800-801-4174. Tell them Joshua J. referred you and they give me an extra $10.00 in downloads and they give you an extra $10.00 as well.
First of all both phones are cool as hell. bucketloads of features or not.I said that because the phones are getting ready to come out.ya'll talking about how whack the iphone is now. wait until they upgrade it. then i'll bet some of ya'll gone want the iphone.Also the helio is gone get a upgrade becuz iphone and helio ocean are at war.whoever looks and sells the best is the winner. thats why apple haven't put the features on the first one cuz they know after they finish making money off the the first one they'll make even more when they upgrade it. If helio ocean can upgrade and still be better than the iphone then i'm speechless.but for right now helio is better.But when iphone upgrade its really gone a battle to the finish.thats all i got say for now HOLLA.
Okay. To answer a crazy comment from before:
The ocean HAS UNLIMITED MEMORY CAPACITY!
As long as they keep making bigger storage micro sd cards. I have a 8 gig micro sd card in now and am waiting for my 20 gig micro sd to come out so that I can use that.
Some people dont do research at all.
The main thing is that on the OCEAN you have every feature available on a cell phone today with 3G and an unlimited everything plan for $119/month. I mean come on. It totally pays for itself. Always saying "yeah I can do that on my phone". HELIO! and as far as it goes, nobody else can offer unlimited anytime minutes, video/pic messaging, unlimited internet, gps, 2 mp camera, video, bluetooth, and an ultimate inbox for less or even close to what Helio does!
I wish they would, then maybe apple would make a good product if they felt threatened.