So we got our long-awaited chance to check out Helio's latest, the
Drift. Yeah, it looks like your run of the mill black Samsung slider -- certainly nothing compared to the graphic impact the Kickflip makes -- but outward appearances aside, this comfortable, smooth handset is among the first in the states to feature hybrid GPS (A-GPS and real GPS both!), which enables some sweet services like Google maps nav, and their new Buddy Beacon location-based service. It's also finally rocking a much more refined
XCE Java version of the Helio UI, which definitely takes care of some lingering niggling concerns we've had with the thing. We've been playing around with ours for a bit and have mostly good things to say about it, click on for a boat load more shots!
Eggshell textured box, notably smaller than the Hero and Kickflip boxes. Nice.
It's got a shiny fleck to it, making for a very fun unpacking procedure up in here.
There she is.
The usual software and manual (not that you really need it).
In the box: charger, stereo headphones, USB cable.
There they are again.
The unit, ready to rumble.
It's always hard to discuss a phone's size in pictures, and this phone (oh wait, are we not supposed to call it that?) definitely isn't the smallest on the market. But it's definitely among the smallest GPS-enabled devices we've used in the US, and it feels nice in the hand to boot.
So let's check out Buddy Beacon, yeah?
So you have two panes, My Beacon (which allows you to update your status, see the map, etc.), and the Buddies tab which allows you to ping your pals and invite new ones.
Empty right now, ah well.
There's us in the middle; we were way indoors, but the A-GPS kicked in and located us fairly accurately. Nice!
Let's add a new friend.
You can also cloak yourself; remember, Buddy Beacon doesn't update continuously, it just sends updates when you specify. We wish there was a real-time update option, but we're stalker-creepy like that.
Google maps looks great on the QVGA, and it's nav-enabled. It doesn't provide turn for turn directions with your GPS, but it does provide directions!
Next to the white unit.
Next to the Kickflip and Hermes.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Eugenia @ Nov 10th 2006 3:06PM
Please-please-please visit the following page with the phone's browser: http://www.osnews.com/ua.php and reply with its user agent you see in that page. This information is very important for mobile web developers like myself, in order to autodetect the phone in the future! Thanks!
Creon @ Nov 10th 2006 3:24PM
Review forthcoming ... when?
Otsego @ Nov 10th 2006 3:26PM
NICE. I LIKE!
now if it only included those A2DP headphones...
Revels @ Nov 10th 2006 3:36PM
Is this the same thing as the D900 in the UK?
MuDoggy @ Nov 10th 2006 3:54PM
So... does it provide ANY turn by turn directions with the GPS? I know you mentioned google maps didn't, but I saw mapquest on an earlier pic, does any map show turn by turn directions? or is the gps just to find out where you are when you ask?
Makes more sense that it can't do a turn by turn because it doesn't have an antenna. Anyone?
dLee @ Nov 10th 2006 4:06PM
Is the buddy beacon limited to buddies who who also have a helio phone with the same feature?
RE: MuDoggy
The way I read the turn-by-turn comment above is that you can look up directions just as you can w/ Google, it just doesn't actively tell you "turn left/right" (nor will it take over the dog on your dash and have it point left or right) because it doesn't do live tracking (i'm guessing to save battery power as that feature would be a power hog).
garthT @ Nov 10th 2006 5:05PM
Does it do opera-mini, thats the real question. I figure no!
justin @ Nov 10th 2006 5:26PM
dLee is right.
brbubba @ Nov 11th 2006 2:18AM
For the guy cancelling, keep an eye out for a contract update. I see people posting about them from time to time. Essentially the wireless provider updates everyone's contract and sends out a notice giving you 30 days before the new contract goes into effect. Obviously they don't legally have a right to change your contract without your consent, so if you call in time you can get out of your current contract by saying you don't agree to the new terms and conditions. They usually try to give you some kind of a discount, but if you stand your ground they have no choice but to let you out of the contract.
las6 @ Nov 11th 2006 6:35AM
so...fat chance of ever stumbling on this outside US?
Daniel Choi @ Nov 11th 2006 9:46AM
I am about to cancel my contract with verizon and switch over to helio..... only if termination fee was free...
Hildy @ Nov 11th 2006 3:35PM
I figured it was time to check Helio out and buy one of their phones so I went to helio.com typed in my zip code and the store mapped up in the wrong place using Yahoo maps, (I thought you were buddies with Google Maps). Turns out the store has the wrong address on the Helio web site. Just the kind of fly by night outfit I'm looking for, nice work Helio... :)
Maybe next time.
Bill @ Nov 11th 2006 3:55PM
Does it have an FM radio? And what are the restrictions on uploading music onto the phone?
brbubba @ Nov 11th 2006 4:28PM
RE: Hildy
Helio only has one official store as far as I know, which is in Santa Monica. All the stores listed on the website are third party companies selling their phones. They are color coded, so you can immediately tell what type of store it is.
wizdumb @ Nov 22nd 2006 10:52AM
I just got this device, and here's what they did NOT cover in this review.
The good:
It's small.
Google maps + gps is REALLY fast and REALLY accurate
UI can be pretty at times, but not always configurable.
Great coverage from the piggy back off Sprint and Verizon.
Don't have to worry about overage fees because everything is included and unlimited.
Camera is really nice for a cell phone.
Lots of built in memory, and microSD for expandability
The Bad:
UI can be a bit slow at times.
Battery life sucks.
Can't install Opera Mini (worse because the built in browser SUCKS)
Can't install Gmail app for mobile
Can't use m.gmail.com (gmail for mobile devices, when I asked by email, all they said is that its not supported)
The slot covers on the side are flimsy and will probably get broken off if you aren't careful
Cable connection is proprietary, and phone doesnt charge over the included usb cable.
headphone jack is smaller than regular headphone plugs, so you have to use the included, or get an adapter.
UI can be a pain at times, and no options to change somethings... examples??
Process for sending a txt:
1 Menu
2 Write a txt
3
3a T9Word is the default option, and you cant change the default. abc mode is of course the last option in the list when you go through them, AFTER korean even...
4 click OK
5 type in recipients
5a you can't just choose from your contact list to send the message to. To use the list you have to do the following: Menu->search contacts->type in some letters->choose from the results->add to recipient list.
6 Send message.. finally
Yes, it really is that complicated. I believe the way they prefer you do it to save time is to choose a name from your contact list first, then choose to send them a txt, which is considerably easier.
The Ugly:
Buddy beacon uses mapquest and not google maps, why??
Dial mode uses very bright colors, which you can change.. to other bright or pastel colors. No option for white on black or anything even close.
Overall I think its a decent device, and most of my gripes are with the software, which they can change with a firmware update, of course. They do have a 30 day happiness guarantee, which is nice if you can't get past some of these things.
Boondoggle @ Jan 8th 2007 8:19PM
Just got a Drift and has anyone who owns one noticed the design flaw? The blue plastic under the center "OK" key cracks easily. I just got mine on 12/29/06 and returned it on 1/6/2007 after I noticed the crack. On 1/7/2007, I noticed my new phone cracking in the exact same place. Apparently, the display phones at the Palo Alto Helio store also show the crack.
I like the features of the Drift, especially the Google Maps app, but not sure if I want to sacrifice shoddy design and crafstmanship just for the nifty applications.
Are there any other Drift owners noticing this? And, if so, have you tried to resolve the issue with Helio or Samsung directly?
Hays @ Jan 21st 2007 6:26AM
wizdumb is correct.
The Drift needs the extended battery for anyone who actually makes phone calls. Standard battery is worthless. Add $50 to the cost of the phone for the better battery life.
Over all I really like the phone, Gmaps has already made me extremely pleased with the device. Flaky gmail support is very annoying, no Gmail App support is truely frustrating. Phone book, Mesg, and many other features on the phone are designed poorly for flow. Looks like it was designed by a artist with no concept of efficiency.
I am still happier with Helio compared to Verizon, but it's a shame that the phone has so much potential and stupid flaws make what should be and excellent product just average.
TomTom App support would be nice.
droj @ Jan 21st 2007 2:53PM
If you really want to see the battery on your Drift die in a hurry, just take a trip out beyond the normal Cell service area (until an R displays next to your antenna icon), and watch the battery die in no time.
This will happen just sitting in your pocket (no talking, no BlueTooth, no Buddy-Beacon, no messaging).
I don't know if this is a design flaw or not, but the battery sure dies faster out "in the sticks".
I hope Helio decides to start selling these with the bigger battery.
droj
DRIFETR @ Jun 17th 2007 12:13PM
THIS WILL HAPPEN WITH ANY PHONE...IT'S EATING THE BATTERY SEARCHING FOR SIGNAL, EITHER IT'S CINGULAR, T MOBILE, SPRINT OR VERIZON......BUT U R RIGHT WITH THE BATTERY TIME.......IT'S KILLING ME
Cruz @ Feb 1st 2007 1:45AM
"16. Just got a Drift and has anyone who owns one noticed the design flaw? The blue plastic under the center "OK" key cracks easily. I just got mine on 12/29/06 and returned it on 1/6/2007 after I noticed the crack. On 1/7/2007, I noticed my new phone cracking in the exact same place. Apparently, the display phones at the Palo Alto Helio store also show the crack"
I also have the exact same design flaw on my Helio Drift. It wasnt there when I opened the box but after a few minutes of playing with it I noticed the crack. Its no big deal but it does bother me a bit.
lazerbyte @ Apr 20th 2007 7:39PM
I just got my Drift and I really like it and the sound is excellent! I have Cingular and I HATE them as they screw you over and nickel and dime you! I had their road side assistance then they took it off and I come to find out you have to keep adding it on your account! You only get 2 rescuse a year too! Not worth the 2.99 a month!
I am very happy with the Helio execpt the battery life! But something I'll have to live with!