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Helio: another MVNO in trouble?
It looks like Amp'd and ESPN Mobile aren't the only MVNOs discovering that their business models may not be getting them where they want to be. An unconfirmed report out of Telecoms Korea is brewing that Helio -- chic Kickflip and all -- has managed to sign up 100 (yes, that's one hundred) subscribers since launching a couple months back. SK Telecom, which teamed up with Earthlink to form Helio, is denying the reports and insisting the true number is in the thousands, but either way they've fallen well short of projections. It looks like we now have an explanation for Helio's shockingly generous gadget trade-in program. SKT also looks to shore up Helio's lineup with as many as five new models by year end, but we have to wonder -- if 100 subs is an accurate count, is there any hope for a turnaround?UPDATE: We just got an official response from Helio about this: "This morning's report by Telecoms Korea is wholly inaccurate and does not represent Helio's membership figures." They wouldn't tell us any more than that, but they're adamant that the figures reported aren't correct.
Mobile ESPN launches Samsung ACE
It's thin, but not too thin; chic, but nothing your butchier friends are gonna call you a metro for having one;, it's got features, just not many, and none are really all that impressive. Yes, that's right, it's Mobile ESPN's second cellphone, the Samsung ACE, otherwise known as the A900. Expect the same set of features (Bluetooth, swiveling camera, EV-DO, audio and media playback) as its counterpart, but with a $99 price tag, a black paint job, and ESPN logos all over the damn thing. So thank you no, we'll continue holding out for Mobile ESPN2 to launch so we can catch some real football games (and spelling bee championships, etc.).
SEC to begin probe into Xero Mobile
Well, you can imagine the surprise we're all feeling over here at Engadget HQ at the news of Xero Mobile -- the MVNO started by former Gizmondo execs -- getting calls from the US Securities and Exchange Commission regarding their "conducting an informal inquiry relating to certain aspects of the company's business." For example, how they intend to pay back all those investors after a track record of pump and dump business scams? Something like that? Apparently Xero feigned innocence, shrugging off the initial inquiry, stating they are "unaware of the reason for the request," but apparently are preparing to cooperate voluntarily even though no formal investigation has begun. Oh sure, we have to give them credit for opening themselves up to SEC queries even though they're not yet formally indicted, but you'll have to forgive us if we're just a little skeptical about these guys, even when they claim to be showing their hand.
New MVNOs finding themselves in a world of hurt
It may not come as a shock to most of us, but the Wall Street Journal is reporting that recent MVNO start-ups Mobile ESPN and Amp'd are learning a hard lesson in market over-saturation, falling well short of the high expectations set for them by their parent companies and investors. Despite the hundreds of millions of dollars pumped into both operations -- well over $300 million between them -- neither had managed to muster even 10,000 subscribers through May. While Mobile ESPN is doubling back to retool its game plan (pun intended), Amp'd presses on, claiming they need more time to influence their young target demographic through advertising. Sports scores on hideous phones apparently don't get you as far as they used to, it seems.[Via MocoNews]
Helio letting new subs trade in old gadgets
In one of the more innovative promotions we've seen lately, MVNO Helio has begun offering recent subscribers up to 30-days to send in their old gadgets in return for not a service credit, but cold, hard cash (in the form of a check mailed two to three months later). The so-called Trade-Up program, developed in conjunction with Market Velocity, lets new subs sign up online and get the trade-in value for some of the more popular cellphones, PDAs, digital cameras, and gaming consoles from yesterday and today -- although since the quotes are based on your own unprofessional evaluation of your gear's condition, the actual amount of loot you receive may vastly differ from what you were expecting. The prices Helio is willing to pay range from 10 to 20 bucks for older devices in disrepair to several hundred dollars for meticulously cared-for smartphones and high-end digital cameras -- they'll even give you $26 if you've somehow managed to keep your first-gen Gameboy in mint condition for all these years. The only real losers in this program are the proud few who've chosen to say "iDon't," because Helio will happily take your old iPod off your hands, but want nothing to do with players from SanDisk, Creative, and friends.
Qtopia dual-mode phone drops in France
We first told you about Wistron NeWeb's GW1 dual-mode candybar with tri-band GSM and VoIP over WiFi back in January when we caught wind of it at CES; now, it looks like they've picked up a launch partner. Rebranded as the "Twin" by French MVNO Neuf (that's "Nine" for you non-Francophones out there), the phone appears to be hit with the basically the same ugly stick that afflicted the GW1, but never mind that -- the big draw here is dual mode, which Neuf will offer at regular mobile rates through customer's Internet connections and its own hotspots. Also of note is that the Twin / GW1 runs Qtopia for folks looking to make an escape from more traditional smartphone platforms. The Twin is available unlocked and without contract for €200 or €1 when purchased with a Neuf Internet connection and phone plan.
Family-oriented Disney Mobile goes live
Parents, rejoice: Disney wants you to know that your MVNO has arrived. Disney Mobile, Disney's second MVNO after launching Mobile ESPN earlier this year, pulls no punches about its target demographic -- family plans are the carrier's emphasis, although individual plans are also available. Family plan pricing on two lines ranges from $59.99 for 450 minutes to $249.99 for 4500 teenager-pleasing minutes; individual plans start at $39.99 for 400 minutes. All plans include "Family Monitor" for setting minute limits, "Call Control" to set schedules during which the phone cannot be used, and "Family Locator," a GPS-enabled service presumably similar to Verizon's freshly-launched "Chaperone." A potential roadblock to Disney Mobile's success in the rough-and-tumble MVNO game? Phone-savvy kiddies might whine about the phone selection -- a forgettable Pantech DM-P100 is the only model currently available, but fear not, boys and girls, a slightly higher-end LG DM-L200 is promised shortly.[Via RCR News]
Xero Mobile to license ad system
As our mamas used to tell us, "fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me." Those are wise words right now for any company, investor, or individual with an interest in Xero Mobile, brought to you by some of the same winners that brought you Gizmondo. We'd assumed these folks would've folded by now, but Xero claims to be on target for a January 2007 launch of their free, ad-based MVNO for college students (sound familiar?). In the meantime, they've gotta make an honest buck somehow, so they've begun licensing their nonexistent service to foreign companies with "expressions of interest" in launching Xero in their local markets. We hope this madness comes to an end before the world has to witness another work of art needlessly destroyed by crooked execs, but even in the unlikely event Xero makes it to see 2007, at least Virgin is a step ahead on the business model.
Phalanx of 34 new MVNOs on the way
If you haven't found an MVNO to suit your taste among the 213 now in operation worldwide, just wait a bit, 'cause it looks there's another 34 ready to launch soon, according to MVNODirectory.com. Among the new offerings include an MVNO from Ireland's Eircom, who decided to settle for MVNO after being turned downed for a spectrum license, as well as a couple that we've heard about already; Xero Mobile, for one, which hopes to snag some of that bored-but-poor student market (of course there's already at least one other MVNO targeting the same market), and Virgin Mobile, who are continuing to expand since being the first to launch an MVNO way back in 1999 -- they're poised to move into China and India next. If things keep going at this rate, there'll as many MVNOs as there were over-hyped, profitless dotcomsback in the day, and we all know how well that worked out.[Via The Wireless Report]
SugarMama: earn Virgin Mobile minutes by watching ads
Yeah, we've seen this system before. It didn't work for Gizmondo's Tiger Telematics when it was called Smart Adds, we didn't think it was going to work for the company's unofficial spinoff, Xero Mobile (started by the CEO of Tiger's Smart Adds division), but now Richy Branson wants you to to stop paying for (some of) your minutes by watching youth-oriented ads. Welcome to SugarMama, Virgin Mobile's ads-for-minutes system which gives you airtime in exchange for viewing a video ad or interacting with text ad, and then providing feedback to the advertisers (presumably to make sure you actually performed the act of watching or reading said ad). We don't yet know exactly how many ads it'll take to reach the monthly ceiling of 75 minutes "earned," but what would really impress us is if you could earn your whole minute plan this way.
Helio review roundup
We've managed to stop opening and closing our Kickflip just long enough to put together a compilation of Helio reviews for you to sift through. Helio is looking to outfit beautiful people with beautiful phones -- or, at least, one beautiful phone and one atrocious phone -- and they appear to be off to a strong start if their freshman effort is any indication. The Kickflip and its homely step-sister, the Hero, are not the most feature-rich phones on the market, but Helio is bringing an interesting hodgepodge of extras to the table to appeal to a certain demographic, as MVNOs tend to do. Tight MySpace integration on Helio's network should give you a good idea of who they're shooting for. Without further ado, here's a list of reviews to get you started -- please contribute more in the comments as you find them. Read - Kickflip, PC MagazineRead - Hero, PC Magazine Read - Hero, hel.io Read - Kickflip, Phone Scoop
Helio LA launch party celebriful
We totally missed Helio's big coming out party in LA this weekend at the Park Hyatt, but as we understand it was attended by none other than Tom Cruise (who carries a Hero) and ladyfriend Katie Holmes; apparently Helio's also making sure Steven Spielberg and, um, female Korean golfers like Pearl Siin have handsets with which to be seen around town. The Korean LPGA stuff is no coincidence though, Helio's using its half-Korean connections with SK Telecom to offer Korean Americans limited free calls to Korea, ringback tones, and games until June 30th. Perhaps more interesting still is according to Hankook Daily, T-Mobile -- who apparently currently carry about 35 percent of Korean Americans -- is supposedly pressuring shops to not vend Helio devices and service by pain of losing their T-Mo dealer license. We don't know if they'd so brashly engage in anything so anti-competitive, but SK, Helio, ET, the LGPA, and agent Hunt have their eyes on you, T-Mobile.[Via Telecoms Korea]Update: Helio called us on our Batphone Kickflip to let us know that the party was actually an SK Telecom event for the launch of Helio powered by SK Telecom, their Helio sub-brand targeting Korean Americans (ahh, it all makes sense). While Tom Cruise doesn't look Korean to us, we'll let it slide; we wouldn't kick him out of our party, either. Ok, well, maybe we would if he started doing that Risky Business shtick or something.
Dexa, the new Hispanic MVNO, launches in LA
If you've been looking for an MVNO that speaks your language, and that language happens to be Español, then you're in luck. Dexa is a new GSM-based MVNO that plans to cater to the large Hispanic demand for prepaid phone service. The best guess for the actual carrier is Cingular, because Dexa is copying their marketing speak of "fewest dropped calls." That means there won't be data available to Dexa customers, just voice service, since Cingular doesn't provide data to MVNO customers. Right now Dexa is only available in LA, but with the large Hispanic market in the US we have a feeling they could be expanding fairly soon.
Saki teams up with INgrooves to create "wireless digital music community"
Saki Mobile, the kinda-sorta MVNO that also distributes its content through a Windows Mobile application, has teamed up with independent "digital record label" INgrooves to offer users what they're calling a "wireless digital music community." INgroove, which represents such artists as Nappy Roots and Thievery Corporation, will offer their musicians' songs, bios, pictures, ringtones, etc., etc., along with supposed "direct access" to the bands themselves through a messaging service. Furthermore, subscribers can communicate amongst one another using Saki's IM client, chatting and sending around concert info and band updates, along with all the great swag that they've downloaded. [Via Moco News]
Luxury MVNO Voce gets going in LA
Ah yes, Voce. That priciest of all MVNOs is starting to get rolling in LA with an invitation-only trial capped at 500 people, with plans to add New York and San Francisco this fall. Right now they only have service based on Cingular's GSM network, and since Cingular doesn't fork over data usage to MVNOs, the Voce service is voice only. Though at these prices, they obviously figure you're too stupid to use cellular data. The service has a $1000 joining fee, plus a $400 monthly fee, which includes unlimited minutes, a free leather-clad RAZR or black Nokia 8810, and certain VIP privileges like a 24 hour personal assistant and travel perks. There's also an annual device upgrade included, which will probably feel quite welcome by the time it arrives with as old as those phones are already. Voce does plan to offer data in the future by partnering with a CDMA carrier, but for now this MVNO's offerings aren't only ridiculously pricey, but nearly non-functional for all but the most casual of phone users.[Via Phone Scoop]
Helio's media services
That MySpace and Yahoo integration wasn't the only thing Helio rolled out for their user media services today; in addition to the leaned MySpace interface and customized Yahoo services portal, Helio users with the All-In Membership will get a slew of other things to keep them occupied when constantly fidgeting with the Kickflip's hinge. There's Helio On Top (H.O.T.) access, which is a simple 10-channel news and info aggregation feature, MMS picture and video messages, which can be sent up to 1MB per; free streaming video from major networks like MTV, Comedy Central, ABC, etc., $2.49 music video downloads (uh, what?), and of course those purchased, "gifted," or "begged" games, which are going for $5.99 to buy, or $0.99 to "rent" on your phone for a week. (The gifting and begging thing isn't only limited to games though, and can be applied to any purchasable content as well.) Not a whole lot in there that we're super interested in, ourselves; but you know us, we're more the Bluetooth DUN, A2DP, SlingPlayer, data overload types more prone to exploring mobile media on our own than holding a carrier's (or MVNO's) hand.
Helio launches
Alright kids, it's the moment we've all been waiting for (and by we, we mean the MVNO nerds). SK Telecom's and Earthlink's joint-venture Helio is officially lighting up today with their first two devices -- the Hero and Kickflip. We're all pretty well briefed to date on the capabilities and general offerings the service was supposed to have, so let's get to the plans and pricing, of which there are two types: the All-In Membership, which includes unlimited data, video, MMS, texting, nights and weekends, roaming, and long distance with the plan; and the A La Carte plan which is as the name implies. The All-In buys you 1,000 anytime minutes for $85, 1,500 for $100, or 2,500 minutes for $135 (which we think is a pretty good value, considering what some are charging for that many minutes and unlimited phone data); the A La Carte gets you a 500 minute $40 monthly plan straight up. Oh, and the devices now have prices, too: the Hero will set you back $275, and the Kickflip will ding you for $250. We have a sneaking feeling we know which will outsell the other. So if you're not ready to wait until the end of the month for their retail rollout to switch carriers (or join Helio as your first), fortunately you can just order direct and cut the middle man.
Helio announces game service deets
With our personal favorite MVNO Helio's launch just around the corner, we're getting some details as to what exactly they have in store for us beyond those hip-cool Korean handsets. In the gaming arena it turns out they're sticking with their general operating style and borrowing from their partner SK Telecom to bring Korean mobile gaming tech to the US. Their library of 2D and 3D multiplayer games -- including titles such as Tetris, Prince of Persia: The Two Thrones, and Who Wants To Be A Millionaire -- are said to take full advantage of the Hero and Kickflip's processing power and 3G data speeds. Before you buy a game you can get info and screens from IGN reviews with your phone, and can either purchase the game straight up, "beg" it off a friend, "gift" it to a pal, or rent the title. Doesn't sound too groundbreaking, but there does seem to be an emphasis on community, so we look forward to seeing how it plays out.[Via MocoNews]
Disney Mobile MVNO partnering with O2 for UK launch
UK cellphone users just got their invitation to join the Mickey Mouse Club. Disney's MVNO, which launched in the US earlier this month, is set to roll out in the UK in partnership with O2. Like the US version of the service, which is powered by Sprint Nextel, the UK service will offer extensive parental controls. Specific handsets for the service have yet to be announced, though Disney has said that the phones will not be include extensive Disney character branding. In the US, the service features phones from a number of vendors, including the LG DM-L200 (pictured). The US service also includes a GPS tracking function; Disney has not commented as to whether the feature will be available to UK customers.
Helio teams up with Yahoo! for mobile services
In a new partnership announced today, Yahoo is going to be launching a slew of services for Helio customers including search, mail, IM, news, sports and more. This is supposed to be one of the most extensive mobile offerings of Yahoo! services, and Helio seems to think it lines up well with that snazzy target demographic of theirs. Some of the more interesting integration includes Yahoo search straight from your phone's home screen and the display of news feeds there as well. There's no word as to when the Yahoo services will launch, but we're guessing they'll be available when Helio itself launches this spring.
