Say hello to the Helio "Drift"

by Chris Ziegler, posted Nov 1st 2006 at 2:29PM

Word has it we're looking here at Samsung's first entry for Helio, christened the "Drift." Coming hot on the heels of news that the Kickflip is no more, the glossy black Drift appears to be more of a phone in the Hero vein on account of its slider form factor. It'll apparently come equipped with a 2-megapixel camera, Bluetooth (something the Kickflip sorely lacked) with A2DP, and a QVGA display, though we can't yet confirm that it'll be rocking the aforementioned Java platform from XCE. We'll pass on more Drift news as we get it, but expect the phone to launch fairly shortly.

[Thanks, anonymous tipster]

Filed under: Handsets, Samsung, Helio, Java, 1xRTT, EV-DO, MVNOs, CDMA

Tags: drift, helio, samsung, slider

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Neutral

PEZ @ Nov 1st 2006 3:06PM

the kickflip was one of the more unique designs. Its the one that always seemed sold out - those other phones are just lousy looking. The biggest thing going for helio is the myspace thing, and these things take 10 minutes just to sign in.

Neutral

eL Pata @ Nov 1st 2006 4:18PM

Rioght...10 minutes.

Takes me under a minute to log into any site with my Hero. Of course I am in a 3G supported area.

10 minutes? Please.

Neutral

Justin @ Nov 1st 2006 8:22PM

I'm the first to find issues with a provider/handset as I love to gripe, but - sitting here with my Hero, less than 20 seconds to get the browser launched and into MySpace. Less than 5 seconds for each subsequent MySpace page load. You've obviously never actually used the MySpace portal on Helio's network.

Neutral

Professor-X @ Nov 1st 2006 9:18PM

I looks ok but whats the information on the phone.

Thanks

Neutral

Pablo @ Nov 1st 2006 9:40PM

Justin: "Helios network" LMAO! they use verizon's network, the first poster is obviously not in a 3g market.

I think it's funny how Helio was supposed to bring the high end features of the korean phone market to the US, and their first phones don't even have BT! This phone looks cool, but not neccessarily more 'advanced' than other phones in the US market.

Neutral

Fyrestarrter @ Nov 1st 2006 11:25PM

*sigh* There goes Helio's INDIVIDUALITY. LONG LIVE THE KICKFLIP!

Neutral

kravinravin @ Nov 2nd 2006 1:05AM

The kickflip is by far one of the most awesome form factors I've ever seen or owned. I love it, and so does everyone I encounter that sees me kick it. Sliders are good and all but samsung! What is helio thinking, bleh!
I've yet to have a good experience with any samsung I've ever laid my hands on. Helio is def. not all I thought it would be, and as soon as the sanyo m1 comes out I'm gone, unless the new pantech wows me, which I don't think it will. Helio has been the biggest let down mobile wise I've ever experienced. Maybe in a year or two they will be up to par, if they make it that long, but right now they suck.

I have a few gripes with the kickflip, but all in all it's a solid phone. It's a shame to see helio heading in the direction it's in. Even if VK mobile is going down, they've got some awesome handsets, and it would have done helio good to go more in that sort of direction, than the same recycled crap every other carrier has. boo!

Neutral

Open Minded @ Nov 2nd 2006 3:13AM

You guys are pretty judgemental for on a device that you really know nothing about. Let's give it a chance and see what it has to offer. Helio has a lot going for them and I expect they got more than meets the eye. Never judge a book or in this case a cell just by a pic or a name. Come on this came from a tipster not a press release.

Neutral

Tiffany @ Nov 2nd 2006 8:35AM

In reaction to #5 Justin's comments. Helio does not use verizon's data network. Before you quote something you might check it out first!

Neutral

Glenn Curtis Jr. @ Nov 2nd 2006 9:13AM

In regard to Pablo's comment about Helio bringing Korean phones to America and the Kickflip's lack of Bluetooth....well, BT is pretty much dead in Korea. Hardly anyone uses it and thus, their phones now do not include it. So, it made sense to me that the Kickflip lacked it as well. It is only now in America that BT is becoming standard.

Neutral

flamer's grill @ Nov 2nd 2006 11:24AM

to #5:

I'll do your research for you: Helio primarily uses SPRINT's network for voice and data, and where Sprint does not have a native network, they use Sprint's romaing partners (Verizon, Alltel) for voice.

Amp'd is the MVNO that uses Verizon's network; virtually every other MVNO (Disney, Virgin Mobile, the late MobileESPN) all use Sprint.

Neutral

Big Red @ Nov 2nd 2006 2:19PM

to#12 I am an account executive for Helio. I can tell you that we use Sprint for voice and Data and Verizon for Voice.

Neutral

Jessica @ Nov 2nd 2006 2:38PM

To #5 First as you see to the comments before me, BT is dead. Next, Helio devices are the most advanced on the US market. If you understood the technology you would be able to see that in a relative comparison with any provider. The device might not look more advanced but looks can be decieving. All of the wireless companies in the US are 5-7 years behind Asian technology. Helio is 2-3 years. With Sky Dayton as it's founder this company has no where to go but up. Look at what he did with Earthlink in 10 years.
So you can continue to LYAO and everyone else will be moving right by you laughing at you.

Neutral

Kballs @ Nov 2nd 2006 7:15PM

Uh, bluetooth is dead? I'm gonna call bullshit on that one.

Neutral

Jessica @ Nov 2nd 2006 8:34PM

Bluetooth is dead outside of the US.

Neutral

boobehr @ Nov 3rd 2006 8:09PM

Yes, because it's SO important to sign into MySpace from a mobile phone with a tiny screen...

Neutral

lance @ Nov 8th 2006 1:44PM

about helio network.is ok~
cant really say is great.i work for helio. im one of the master agent. as u guys know helio is only been out for 6months. and they are still catch up with the program. Drift will come with gps(nav), and buddy finder and more to come.
helio will pick up fast and far
just watch and see what happens to helio

Neutral

Professor-X @ Nov 8th 2006 7:56PM

You can pre-order this handset for $250.00
In White and Black ---->

Neutral

Professor-X @ Nov 9th 2006 1:47AM

Helio Drift is really to go.....
White and Black hot and really for service.

• Bluetooth enabled
• GPS enabled
• 3 hours Talk time
• 7 days Standby
• 128 MB internal memories
• External Memory – microSD t-flash
• 2.0 megapixel camera
• Video recorder with flash
• MP3 and MPEG4 Multimedia Player
Introducing – Samsungs SBH170 Stereo Bluetooth headset
__________________

Neutral

Ax @ Nov 9th 2006 10:27AM

The real question is whether the GPS will be one of those silly monthly services or a proper gps solution eg. garmin, tomtom etc.

Neutral

Evan55 @ Nov 9th 2006 12:53PM

GPS is unlimited with the all-in plan. Priced by KB in the ala carte plan.

Im really considering this. I dont use data stuff much but the GPS could be a lifesaver. And I love that phone. Is it really a proper GPS reciever?
Or just some permutation of the location based cell tower triangulation?

Neutral

peter @ Nov 9th 2006 5:03PM

here are some new features in the Drift:

Stereo Bluetooth® wireless technology
GPS-enabled services and applications
-Buddy Beacon™ uses GPS-enabled Google Maps to bring friends together
-GPS-enabled Google Maps for local guidance
File Viewer (DOC, PPT, XLS, PDF and more)

Neutral

Artie @ Dec 1st 2006 12:42PM

I have my drift for about 3 days now.

I'm happy to hear that they use sprint and verizon for voice.. The truth is that my service is better on this phone any other i've witnessed. (bye bye nextel and the 3 day sms delivery times)

I'm paying 65 bucks a month. I get unlimited picture mail, sms, and data usage and 500 anytime minutes, free nights and weekends. You honsetly can't go wrong.. this is the cheapest all in plan and it's great.

The gps usage is included in the 65 bucks and its quite accurate. I was impressed on the bus like "whoa".. for "free" and with google maps?! Cmon.. you really can't go wrong there.

I'm really out of words.. the slider form factor is something new for me but i like it. A few people said the phone looked like a toy. Its smaller than you expect.. you're going to be shocked and I just got finished playing football with it in my pocket and it works like a charm (with no harm). They say the menu system was designed by the guys who did the sidekick gui.. i do enjoy the main menu with the circle and colors.

Its honestly hard to explain but the phone is great and i'm very comforted by the plan and service. You cannot go wrong. Don't hate on myspace logon or anything else.. you pay nothing extra for it.

Oh.. and playing lumines without a psp is great :)

Neutral

paul @ Feb 1st 2007 4:15PM

Hey, does anybody know if these phones will available/useable for sprint customers. Wondering if sense they use same network technology if they can be bought unlocked and set up with sprint...

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