Helio Ocean launches today

by Chris Ziegler, posted May 11th 2007 at 3:00AM

Get ready to spend the weekend mindlessly sliding the Ocean's dual keypads open and closed until you drive friends and family to the brink of insanity (trust us, it's pretty addictive). Yep, that would be this weekend we're talking about -- Helio's new flagship device finally makes its debut on its website and store shelves today for $295, followed by a second wave of availability in a variety of third-party retailers toward the end of this month. Of course, unless you're within driving distance of one of Helio's handful of flagship locations, actually finding one today might be challenging; might we recommend our hands-on to hold you over while you patiently wait for the parcel to make its way to your doorstep?

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

Tags: dual slide, dual slider, DualSlide, DualSlider, helio, mvno, ocean, qwerty, slider

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Neutral

T Med @ May 11th 2007 11:52AM

I cant wait to get mine!

Neutral

Sylvain @ May 11th 2007 1:43PM

I actually live by a Helio Flagship store (Palo Alto) and they don't have any phones and aren't expecting them till monday or tuesday.

Neutral

TheMog @ May 11th 2007 4:24PM

If Sprint does delay the 6800, this might be enough to make me switch.

Neutral

twistfunk @ May 11th 2007 4:43PM

this phones looks like it was made for 9 year olds

Neutral

elgee02 @ May 11th 2007 6:09PM

No twistfunk that would be a Sidekick

Neutral

V.I. @ May 11th 2007 10:12PM

I wanna know how the service is before I switch from T-Mobile, which means I will have to sell my unlocked Nokia E61.

Neutral

N9NO @ May 12th 2007 12:22AM

Just bought 2 Oceans at the Helio store in Palo Alto, excellent service from these guys. They made sure I got the best deal on this thing! A++! I'm not used to a cell service provider being this accomodating and helpful. I'm much much happier now then I could have ever benn with Tmobile.

They also told me if there's a new model in the future they don't make customers extend their contracts!

Allright, gotta get back to my new toy. Peace out!

Neutral

Dustin @ May 12th 2007 3:52AM

I kinda like the idea of Helio, but the price and the service availability concern me.

The phone is definitely droolworthy, though.

Neutral

N9NO @ May 12th 2007 4:26AM

The reception and call quality on this thing is amazing! I live in San Francisco and the Ocean is picking up signals my tmobile network never could. Imagine that, cell phone reception in a major city!

Neutral

ludicrousy @ May 12th 2007 5:12AM

I'M CURRENTLY ON THE WAIT LIST FOR THE OCEAN. SANTA MONICA HELIO GETS THE OCEAN TODAY, I'M SURE OF IT BECAUSE ONE OF MY FRIENDS WHO WASN'T ON THE WAIT LIST GOT THE OCEAN. I GET A MESSAGE FROM CRISTI (MANAGER) SAYING THAT, "ALL OCEANS ARE ACCOUNTED FOR AND WAIT LIST PEOPLE WILL GET THEIR PHONES NEXT WEEK." SO I CALL THE STORE PRETENDING TO BE A NEW CUSTOMER AND THEY SAY THEY HAVE A BUNCH OF OCEANS FOR SALE. WHAT'S GOING ON HERE? WHO'S DECISION WAS THIS AND WHO'S IDEA CAN BE SO SHADDY LIKE THIS? WHAT WAS THE WAIT LIST DESIGNED FOR THEN?
GREED IS ALL I CAN COME UP WITH...
so she says it's going to be there in a week for me... how could i trust them if they already pulled this stunt??

Neutral

jw @ May 12th 2007 8:24AM

http://www.helio.com/page?p=join

Sure seems like a deal! Unlimited 3g data, and reasonable for plan for the $$$$

Neutral

T Med @ May 12th 2007 10:54AM

They have great service guys. They are a MVNO that piggybacks on Sprints network. They have 3g web speed. Their All in packages include M2M, N&W, unlimited data, unlimited text, and they even now have a all in plan that has unlimited minutes for $145 a month! thats hard to beat. When you cant get a Sprint signal then you switch over to Verizion's towers with Voice only capibilities. I've had them for over a month now and in my area (atlanta) i have better coverage then i did with my Cingy phones

Neutral

cdott @ May 12th 2007 1:46PM

yeah ordered 2 yesterday. since im within the 30days, i get them free as long as i mail back my 2 drift devices. i only needed 1, but why would i turn down a free ocean????

Neutral

Dave @ May 12th 2007 3:07PM

wow is it just me or does N9NO and jw sound like people paid by Helio to promote their new product in the blog? This is as bad as looking for a legit review on a bodybuilding substance lol

Neutral

Krs-T @ May 12th 2007 3:21PM

I also Just bought 2 Oceans at the Palo Alto store today. Our Sales guy gave us great service and a good deal. It was his birthday and he didn't even get an Ocean! If you end up there this weekend, I'm pretty sure they are sold out by now, but they will have more in next week.
I'm really glad that we switched from Tmobile-we got little service where we live, and now that we got the Oceans we have great reception.

Neutral

Krs-T @ May 12th 2007 3:25PM

I think the phone and service speak for themselves once you get them, Dave. I've only had my Ocean for a day and I cant imagine going back to one of the "big guys".

Neutral

lennymo @ May 24th 2007 4:32PM

I Would Love To Win This Item, Thank You

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