Engadget Mobile http://www.engadgetmobile.com Engadget Mobile http://www.engadgetmobile.com/media/feedlogo.gif Engadget Mobile http://www.engadgetmobile.com en-us Copyright 2008 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Virgin Mobile: okay, yeah, we're talking to SK Telecom]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/05/14/virgin-mobile-okay-yeah-were-talking-to-sk-telecom/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/05/14/virgin-mobile-okay-yeah-were-talking-to-sk-telecom/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/05/14/virgin-mobile-okay-yeah-were-talking-to-sk-telecom/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Looks like Virgin Mobile USA and Helio parent SK Telecom didn't bother to get their stories straight before turning to the press over recent rumors that they've been talking marriage. Right on the heels of an SKT statement that talks of a Virgin Mobile takeover were "groundless," Virgin Mobile has come out with a super-brief statement saying something quite to the contrary -- that the two are, in fact, in "preliminary discussions" over "possible strategic opportunities." That's about as vague and unhelpful as it gets -- a level of vagueness that's really only saved for situations where something big is about to go down, actually. The MVNO goes on to say that it's gonna stay mum on the subject at this point unless "a definitive agreement is reached," but at least we know they're chatting.

[Via mocoNews]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>heliosk telecomSkTelecomvirgin mobileVirginMobileWed, 14 May 2008 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Virgin Mobile looking to merge with Helio?]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/05/08/virgin-mobile-looking-to-merge-with-helio/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/05/08/virgin-mobile-looking-to-merge-with-helio/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/05/08/virgin-mobile-looking-to-merge-with-helio/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Times haven't been so great at Helio, but it looks like the troubled MVNO could be snapped up by Virgin Mobile. mocoNews did a little digging after Virgin's recent Q1 conference call, and says that the two companies are currently in merger talks. Since both companies use Sprint's network, the tech would be compatible, and the deal would give SK Telecom a way to keep Helio going as it tries to gain a foothold in the US market. Nothing's set in stone yet and the two companies aren't talking, but we'll definitely keep an eye on this one.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breaking newsBreakingNewsmergemergerThu, 08 May 2008 14:56:00 EST<![CDATA[Helio will push your Gmail to you -- or any other mail, for that matter]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/24/helio-will-push-your-gmail-to-you-or-any-other-mail-for-that/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/24/helio-will-push-your-gmail-to-you-or-any-other-mail-for-that/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/24/helio-will-push-your-gmail-to-you-or-any-other-mail-for-that/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Owners of Helio devices equipped with the MVNO's "Ultimate Inbox" feature -- Ocean, Fin, Mysto owners, we're looking straight at you -- will find that they now have a fun little gem waiting for them. Gmail's now being touted as supporting push notifications right alongside Yahoo!, Hotmail, AOL, and My Helio, but the real trick here is that Ultimate Inbox now supports push for any POP or IMAP account of your choosing. In other words, that "my bad, I haven't checked my email recently" excuse suddenly holds, like, zero weight if you own one of these devices. Sorry!
Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gmailhelioimapinboxmailpoppushultimate inboxUltimateInboxThu, 24 Apr 2008 10:44:00 EST<![CDATA[House bill proposes ban on in-flight cellphone use]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/17/house-bill-proposes-in-flight-cellphone-use/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/17/house-bill-proposes-in-flight-cellphone-use/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/17/house-bill-proposes-in-flight-cellphone-use/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

This could -- at least temporarily -- put an end the nightmarish scenario involving you, lack of sleep, and some freakish chatty Cathy plopped next to you by the airline. Lead co-sponsor Rep. Peter DeFazio, hopes the "Hang Up" -- madly clever name here -- bill will stop Airlines from finding yet another avenue to gouge you and maintaining peace and harmony by banning any in-flight calling. Of course, the door will remain wide open for SMS, mail, IM, and other types of electronic conversation, but we're hoping Skype and friends are on the muzzle list, too.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>airlineairlinesbillcallingHang UpHangUpin-flightThu, 17 Apr 2008 12:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Helio Ocean 2 breaks cover, FCC style?]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/03/28/helio-ocean-2-breaks-cover-fcc-style/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/03/28/helio-ocean-2-breaks-cover-fcc-style/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/03/28/helio-ocean-2-breaks-cover-fcc-style/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


In light of the fact that the original Ocean's model number was OZ, it seems pretty obvious that an "OZ2" passing through the FCC by way of Pantech would be -- you guessed it -- the Ocean 2. It helps that the label diagram's depiction of the phone is clearly Ocean-esque in nature, too. So let's use this opportunity as a springboard for discussion: what does everyone hope to get out of the dual-sliding Helio Ocean's successor?
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fccheliooceanocean 2Ocean2oz2Fri, 28 Mar 2008 21:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Put away the hacks: Helio now offering Opera Mini officially]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/03/17/put-away-the-hacks-helio-now-offering-opera-mini-officially/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/03/17/put-away-the-hacks-helio-now-offering-opera-mini-officially/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/03/17/put-away-the-hacks-helio-now-offering-opera-mini-officially/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Back in the days of yore, the world was a simpler place. The Helio Ocean had just one browser -- its own -- and if you wanted Opera Mini instead, you got it the old-fashioned way: with hard, manual labor. Times are changing, though, and both Helio and the Ocean are changing with 'em. Opera Mini is now available as a direct download from Helio itself, a nod to the community's desire to have access to what is commonly considered the premier mobile web browser, and maybe -- just maybe -- an admission that Opera Mini is better than the Ocean's integrated app. Whatever the implications, it looks like hitting 67372 from your Ocean's home screen will get the show on the road.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>heliooperaopera miniOperaMiniMon, 17 Mar 2008 18:42:00 EST<![CDATA[Everyone else sued over picture caller ID]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/03/06/everyone-else-sued-over-picture-caller-id/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/03/06/everyone-else-sued-over-picture-caller-id/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/03/06/everyone-else-sued-over-picture-caller-id/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

A four-pack of carriers is getting sued over the infringement of three 2007 patents that appear to center around the concept of picture caller ID -- but here's the best part, it's actually a different dude from a different company than the one that sued Apple. US Cellular, T-Mobile, Virgin Mobile, and Helio are all named in the suit, suggesting that either the remainder of major US carriers have already licensed the technology, or this so-called Intellect Wireless just has a very bizarre way of choosing its defendants. So here's our question: what picture caller ID technology was patented by some random company in 2007 that these guys could possibly be violating?
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>caller idCallerIdheliolawsuitpatentpicturepicture caller idPictureCallerIdt-mobileus cellularUsCellularvirginvirgin mobileVirginMobileThu, 06 Mar 2008 10:47:00 EST<![CDATA[Helio continues to bleed money, now $560 million in the red]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/02/29/helio-continues-to-bleed-money-now-560-million-in-the-red/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/02/29/helio-continues-to-bleed-money-now-560-million-in-the-red/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/02/29/helio-continues-to-bleed-money-now-560-million-in-the-red/#commentsFiled under: , ,


We'll be honest with you -- it's a bit disheartening to watch the (seemingly) inevitable happen to Helio. After all, it's managed to soldier on despite hordes of other MVNOs hanging it up here in the US of A. Nevertheless, data gleaned from EarthLink's most recent annual report shed some light on its deteriorating situation. Reportedly, Helio's net loss "widened by 41.3-percent to $326.6 million in 2007 compared to $191.8 million in 2006," yet revenues managed to grow 267-percent to $171 million from $46.6 million the year prior and subscriber growth rose 28-percent over last quarter to 180,000. Add those figures to the $42 or so million it lost in 2005, and we're up to a grand total just south of 560 million American dollars. Tough times, indeed.

[Via Silicon Alley Insider]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>EarthLinkfinancialsheliolossesmvnoFri, 29 Feb 2008 16:04:00 EST<![CDATA[A trip down Helio's memory lane]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/02/26/a-trip-down-helios-memory-lane/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/02/26/a-trip-down-helios-memory-lane/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/02/26/a-trip-down-helios-memory-lane/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


Back before there was Helio, there was Earthlink, South Korea's SKT, and a dream. Heliocity managed to score some shots of just what that dream looked like in the early days, a similar -- yet decidedly different -- vision than what the MVNO ended up bringing to market. Not only are the prerelease versions of Helio's first two models to market (the Kickflip and Hero) "SK Earthlink" branded, but check out that super trippy Kickflip proto, complete with aerial antenna and secondary LCD for self-portraits. The Ocean obviously came along further down the road, and while we like the all-black finish Helio decided on, we think the two-tone action here would've made for an interesting second choice. Read on for all the visuals.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>earthlinkhelioherokickflipmvnooceanprototypeprototypessk earthlinkSkEarthlinksktTue, 26 Feb 2008 18:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Earthlink CEO says cutting off Helio was a "difficult decision"]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/02/08/earthlink-ceo-says-cutting-off-helio-was-a-difficult-decision/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/02/08/earthlink-ceo-says-cutting-off-helio-was-a-difficult-decision/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/02/08/earthlink-ceo-says-cutting-off-helio-was-a-difficult-decision/#commentsFiled under: ,

It's hardly been a secret that Helio was causing some problems for Earthlink, but the company's CEO has just now weighed in himself on the matter, offering some comments on the situation and Helio's now former CEO Sky Dayton in one of those always exciting earnings calls. As mocoNews reports, Earthlink's Rolla Huff says the company "made hard decisions around getting our cost structure down," including the "very difficult decision...to not continue making incremental investments in Helio." Huff apparently laid none on the blame on Helio's Sky Dayton, however, saying simply that "Sky has a history of creating and building strong brands and he's done a great job at that with Helio," and that they "very much appreciate his willingness to be involved in getting Helio to this point in its life cycle." Of course, that was hardly the entire purpose of the call, and those concerned with the nitty gritty of earnings details can get their fix by hitting up the read link below.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>earthlinkheliorolla huffRollaHuffsky daytonSkyDaytonFri, 08 Feb 2008 13:12:00 EST<![CDATA[Helio offering unlimited everything for $99 a month]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/02/04/helio-offering-unlimited-everything-for-99-a-month/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/02/04/helio-offering-unlimited-everything-for-99-a-month/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/02/04/helio-offering-unlimited-everything-for-99-a-month/#commentsFiled under: ,


Is it just us, or is this a pretty good deal? Helio has started offering its unlimited plan for $99, down from the $145 it was charging before. In Helio parlance, "unlimited" really does mean unlimited, too: voice minutes, texts, and on-device data usage are all fair game. Of course, tethering isn't offered, which is probably the only thing preventing a deluge of people signing their names on the dotted line to get in on the action, but it still seems to be a solid offering any way you slice it. The MVNO had offered the $99 unlimited plan previously before jacking up the price (and indeed, the triple asterisk beside the price leads to some fine print that says "limited time offer"), so if this piques your interest, you might want to get in sooner rather than later.

[Thanks, Chris R.]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>helioplanunlimitedMon, 04 Feb 2008 12:26:00 EST<![CDATA[Helio's Sky Dayton steps down as CEO]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/01/28/helios-sky-dayton-steps-down-as-ceo/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/01/28/helios-sky-dayton-steps-down-as-ceo/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/01/28/helios-sky-dayton-steps-down-as-ceo/#commentsFiled under: ,


Sky Dayton, founder and chairman of the phantasmagorical Helio, has announced that he's stepping down as CEO to become chairman of the board of the last-man-standing MVNO. Helio's new CEO will be Wonhee Sull, formerly the company's president and COO, and obviously a direct conduit to co-owner SK Telecom. "Helio has reached a point in its development where I feel the timing is right for this change... As we have for the past three years, the two of us will continue to define Helio's direction and future," said Dayton. Whether Sky's really ready to move on or not we'll never know, but it's certainly possible that the recent influx of cash (and increased ownership) from from its Korean parents and dwindling marketshare of US MVNOs led SK to step in and get things on track.

Update: Lots of fun inaccuracies going on up in here, our bad. We ironed out the kinks, see above for the latest, correct edits to Helio's executive musical chairs.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ceocooheliomvnopresidentsky daytonSkyDaytonMon, 28 Jan 2008 20:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Helio Mysto now available to everyone]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/01/16/helio-mysto-now-available-to-everyone/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/01/16/helio-mysto-now-available-to-everyone/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/01/16/helio-mysto-now-available-to-everyone/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Following a limited release last month, Helio is now taking its slim, sexy Mysto slider from Samsung to the general public. Like every other phone currently in Helio's lineup, the Mysto has integrated GPS and a healthy dose of EV-DO data for the media-rich apps the MVNO and its members tend to be so fond of. Grab it today for $149 on contract or $320 without.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>heliomystosamsungsliderWed, 16 Jan 2008 10:34:00 EST<![CDATA[Helio Mysto in the flesh]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/12/28/helio-mysto-in-the-flesh/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/12/28/helio-mysto-in-the-flesh/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/12/28/helio-mysto-in-the-flesh/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


We'll take a closer look at Helio's latest hotness in the next few days, but we wanted to give you a few shots to drool over if you haven't been able to score one of the first few units trickling out of the MVNO's flagship stores this week. Needless to say, we're pretty sure the Samsung-sourced Mysto is our new favorite Helio handset; we kinda knew it would be, seeing how lovely the similarly styled Ultra Edition 10.9 is. Click on, people!

Gallery: Helio Mysto in the flesh

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featureshands onhands-onHandsOnheliomystosamsungsliderFri, 28 Dec 2007 00:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Helio releases Mysto, Korean community comes first]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/12/21/helio-releases-mysto-korean-community-comes-first/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/12/21/helio-releases-mysto-korean-community-comes-first/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/12/21/helio-releases-mysto-korean-community-comes-first/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Helio has gotten official with the slim, sexy Mysto slider -- a branded, CDMA rendition of the Ultra Edition 10.9 that should ultimately become the MVNO's top of the line handset just this side of the Ocean with a 2 megapixel camera, microSD expansion, and the now-typical GPS and EV-DO data. There's a catch, though; it turns out that Helio will start out by soft launching the phone through its "Helio powered by SK Telecom" division that caters directly to the Korean American market. A full-scale launch is planned for January, but we've been told that folks should be able to approach staffers at Helio's New York and Santa Monica stores with a nudge nudge, wink wink starting December 26 and get hooked up for $149 (even though no Mystos will be on display). Good luck, shoppers!
Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breaking newsBreakingNewsheliomvnomystosamsungsliderFri, 21 Dec 2007 01:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Helio brings full-featured YouTube to the Ocean]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/12/12/helio-brings-full-featured-youtube-to-the-ocean/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/12/12/helio-brings-full-featured-youtube-to-the-ocean/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/12/12/helio-brings-full-featured-youtube-to-the-ocean/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Okay, so we've had a chance to play around with this app, and as mobile YouTube apps go, it's pretty hot (and yes, that includes the eye candy-rich iPhone version). Helio's latest stab at opening the vast world of time-wasting, brain-numbing video entertainment to its subscribers matches the very best in the market for slickness and ease of use, but that's just the beginning -- as Helio describes it, they're now providing the "most complete YouTube experience currently available on mobile." That rather boastful claim is backed up by a handful of cool features like dead simple instant uploading, geo-tagging of posted videos using the Ocean's integerated GPS, and login capability, which allows users to rate, comment, and post video replies as they would on their PCs. Thanks goodness Helio decided to go free with this stuff, eh? Look for it to be available to Ocean owners today.

Gallery: Helio brings full-featured YouTube to the Ocean

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>heliovideoyoutubeWed, 12 Dec 2007 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Helio outs File Viewer for Ocean, reads most of the important stuff]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/11/19/helio-outs-file-viewer-for-ocean-reads-most-of-the-important-st/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/11/19/helio-outs-file-viewer-for-ocean-reads-most-of-the-important-st/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/11/19/helio-outs-file-viewer-for-ocean-reads-most-of-the-important-st/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Helio's Ocean certainly has the hardware credentials to see some duty as a business device, but with Helio's consumer focus, the software necessary to turn the phone into a productivity powerhouse hasn't really materialized. That changes a bit today though with the introduction of File Viewer, a free application that allows Ocean users to read a variety of popular file formats, among them Word, Excel, and Powerpoint documents, PDF, plain text, HTML, and several image types in both landscape and portrait modes. Helio's commemorating the event by also upgrading its Mail for Exchange platform to version 1.2, offering a handful of improvements and providing direct integration to the File Viewer. Both are available today; follow the break for the full press release.

Continue reading Helio outs File Viewer for Ocean, reads most of the important stuff

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acrobatfile viewerFileViewerheliooceanofficepdfMon, 19 Nov 2007 16:50:00 EST<![CDATA[SK Telecom effectively taking over Helio]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/11/09/sk-telecom-effectively-taking-over-helio/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/11/09/sk-telecom-effectively-taking-over-helio/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/11/09/sk-telecom-effectively-taking-over-helio/#commentsFiled under: ,


We knew Earthlink and SK Telecom were both planning on reinvesting up to $100M each into struggling joint venture Helio back in July, and it looks like all that recent talk about "revised governance" was on point -- the deal will effectively shift management control of Helio away from Earthlink and to SKT for the first time in Helio's history. SKT has already allocated $70M to make the move, and it's also committed an additional $100M to future handset development and marketing. No word on what other changes SKT plans to make, but we'd happy to see Helio score a much-deserved second chance.

[Via MobileTech News]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>earthlinksk telecomSkTelecomFri, 09 Nov 2007 14:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Helio's Mysto: A Samsung U600 with EV-DO]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/10/25/helios-mysto-a-samsung-u600-with-ev-do/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/10/25/helios-mysto-a-samsung-u600-with-ev-do/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/10/25/helios-mysto-a-samsung-u600-with-ev-do/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Ok, here you go, the first rendering of Helio's new Mysto -- AKA, the Samsung SPH-A523. Looking every bit as fine as Samsung's U600 Ultra Edition slider (on the right), the Mysto busts EV-DO data, GPS, stereo Bluetooth, and a 3.2 megapixel camera up under that QVGA display while maintaining the U600's 10.9-mm thin profile. Date and price? In time friends, in time.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>heliomystosamsungu600Thu, 25 Oct 2007 08:45:00 EST<![CDATA[The Helio Drift is dead, long live the Mysto?]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/10/02/the-helio-drift-is-dead-long-live-the-mysto/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/10/02/the-helio-drift-is-dead-long-live-the-mysto/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/10/02/the-helio-drift-is-dead-long-live-the-mysto/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


The Drift was a groundbreaking device for Helio -- its first to be sourced from Samsung, its first to integrate GPS, and its first slider that didn't look like death -- so we'd be kidding ourselves if we didn't say we were getting just a little emotional over the news that it's been pulled from Helio's site. That's right, the Drift is no more, leaving just the Heat behind to rep the form factor in Helio's lineup. So what's next? The 'nets are abuzz with talk of the Samsung SPH-A523, a handset that passed through the FCC not long ago, is apparently destined for the MVNO, and is said to resemble Samsung's beautiful Ultra Edition 10.9. On a related note, Helio has recently filed for a trademark on the name "Mysto," continuing the surf-themed naming convention (a "mysto spot" is apparently a rare, difficult to find break that typically occurs offshore) -- and while we don't know that the A523 will be called the Mysto, it seems like a good fit. We'll pass along more info as we get it.

[Thanks, anonymous tipster]

Read - HowardForums
Read - Heliocity
Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a523heliomystosamsungslidersph-a523Tue, 02 Oct 2007 17:55:00 EST<![CDATA[SK Telecom handing over $270 million (more) to Helio]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/09/21/sk-telecom-handing-over-270-million-more-to-helio/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/09/21/sk-telecom-handing-over-270-million-more-to-helio/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/09/21/sk-telecom-handing-over-270-million-more-to-helio/#commentsFiled under: , ,


As if receiving $200 million from SK Telecom and EarthLink back in July wasn't enough, Helio is now set to accept (up to) a $270 million check from SK Telecom. According to EarthLink, SK Telecom will "invest up to $270 million in Helio," and as expected, EarthLink was "very pleased" with the decision -- you know, considering that it won't be forced to cough up any more dough at the moment while still maintaining "substantial ownership interest in Helio's future." Most interesting, however, is the tidbit that mentions the parents' plans, as EarthLink and SK Telecom are reportedly "in discussions to amend their existing agreements to reflect the additional investment by SK Telecom and their future governance of Helio." Gotta pay to play, we suppose.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>businessearthlinkhelioindustryjoint ventureJointVenturemoneysk telecomSkTelecomFri, 21 Sep 2007 15:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Helio lays off about 100 employees, says sales are bullish]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/08/30/helio-lays-off-about-100-employees-says-sales-are-bullish/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/08/30/helio-lays-off-about-100-employees-says-sales-are-bullish/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/08/30/helio-lays-off-about-100-employees-says-sales-are-bullish/#commentsFiled under:

We talked to Helio today and confirmed the reports that the MVNO is laying off about a hundred people from its workforce of about 700. According to Helio, most of the employees being let go were needed during its initial launch period (remember, Helio went official early 2006); about 80 jobs in regional field sales offices were included in the cut (Helio says that's due to the fact that the bulk of their sales are coming from just a couple of offices) and about 20 jobs at HQ, which are post-launch redundancies. Given EarthLink's financial dire straits right now (and the firm's financial ties to Helio as a co-owner), we'd be worried, but Helio was quick to reassure us that sales are booming (July was their best month ever, and August is about to top July), no Helio flagship stores are closing, and the number of Helio kiosks will increase from 30 to 50 this year. Helio's bottom line: "we don't want to burn cash like some MVNOs do". Fair enough -- we're ALL looking at you, Amp'd.

[Via GigaOM]
Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>layoffsThu, 30 Aug 2007 19:46:00 EST<![CDATA[The Helio Fin]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/08/15/the-helio-fin/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/08/15/the-helio-fin/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/08/15/the-helio-fin/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


Helio today has announced the Fin, the first flip phone in the carrier's lineup. For an MVNO making its name with unique powerhouses like the Ocean, the Fin seems downright ordinary -- but that's not quite the case. For one thing, the Fin bests its A717 and m610 lookalikes (all three of which are manufactured by Samsung, coincidentally) in the thickness game, coming in at a svelte 11.4 millimeters to take the crown as the thinnest flip launched in the US. The Fin also totes a rather potent 3 megapixel sensor in its cam, 100MB of internal storage with microSD expansion up to 4GB, and stereo Bluetooth support. As with all of Helio's more recently launched devices, the Fin includes GPS on board; concurrently with the phone's release, Helio is announcing Garmin Mobile navigation for the Fin and the Ocean -- available for $2.99 per day -- for those times when the integrated Google Maps-based nav just doesn't cut it. Grab Fin starting today for $175.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breaking newsBreakingNewsclamshellfinflipheliomvnosamsungWed, 15 Aug 2007 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Samsung U700 "Gleam" for Verizon, A513 for Helio?]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/08/10/samsung-u700-gleam-for-verizon-a513-for-helio/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/08/10/samsung-u700-gleam-for-verizon-a513-for-helio/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/08/10/samsung-u700-gleam-for-verizon-a513-for-helio/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,


Is Helio finally ready for its first flip phone? The MVNO has tended to stray from form factor convention -- think Kickflip and Ocean -- but to satisfy traditionalists, a good, clean clamshell is probably a solid addition to any carrier's lineup. PhoneArena has scored a shot of what will allegedly become the Samsung SCH-A513 for Helio (though we imagine they'll come up with a much snappier name for launch), sporting an m610-ish profile but upping the cam to 3 megapixels. Meanwhile, Verizon will apparently be sourcing the U700 "Gleam" from the manufacturer, offering EV-DO and external music controls in what appears to be a refined, midrange shell. No word on release dates or prices for either of these just yet.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a513clamshellflipgleamheliomvnosamsungu700verizonverizon wirelessVerizonWirelessvzwFri, 10 Aug 2007 12:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Enthusiasts bring 3rd party apps to the Helio Ocean, too]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/08/04/enthusiasts-bring-3rd-party-apps-to-the-helio-ocean-too/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/08/04/enthusiasts-bring-3rd-party-apps-to-the-helio-ocean-too/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/08/04/enthusiasts-bring-3rd-party-apps-to-the-helio-ocean-too/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


The iPhone isn't the only handset whose software innards are getting lovingly torn apart in the name of science this week. It turns out some intrepid users of the Helio Ocean (a device occasionally compared to the iPhone, coincidentally) have been slaving away on a method for adding extra applications outside of the carrier's walled garden. Their first success is a doozy, too: Opera Mini 3, one of the most prized jewels in the world of mobile software. The developers aren't claiming it's bug-free -- landscape mode and the QWERTY keyboard don't work, for example -- but it's a huge step in the right direction and they're continuing to work out the kinks. More custom apps are said to be on the way, and don't worry, Drift and Heat users -- support's said to be on the way for you guys, too.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3rd party3rdPartyappapplicationapplicationsappscustomheliooceanoperaopera miniOperaMinisoftwarethird partyThirdPartySat, 04 Aug 2007 00:33:00 EST<![CDATA[Ocean gets Exchange ActiveSync -- for a price]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/07/25/ocean-gets-exchange-activesync-for-a-price/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/07/25/ocean-gets-exchange-activesync-for-a-price/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/07/25/ocean-gets-exchange-activesync-for-a-price/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Exchange using Helio members, your time is now: the Ocean's finally getting that Exchange ActiveSync support (for Contacts, Calendar, and email with Exchange Server 2003 SP2+) promised users, as well as bumped new version of Helio File Viewer (supporting .doc, .ppt, .xls and .pdf). But, as always, there is a catch. Although the first 60 days of use during the beta period will be free, the final version of Helio EAS + File Viewer will set you back an addition $10 per month for all-in users. If that still sounds workable with your expense account, jump on that Ocean right now and download the app that gets the corporate collaboration wheels moving. One more shot after the break.

Continue reading Ocean gets Exchange ActiveSync -- for a price

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activesyncexchangeexchange activesyncExchangeActivesyncoceanWed, 25 Jul 2007 03:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Helio adds two-click YouTube, Flickr sharing]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/07/05/helio-adds-two-click-youtube-flickr-sharing/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/07/05/helio-adds-two-click-youtube-flickr-sharing/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/07/05/helio-adds-two-click-youtube-flickr-sharing/#commentsFiled under: , ,

We imagine that one of the luxuries of being a small, scrappy carrier like Helio is that it's way easier to listen to PO'd customers and change corporate strategy on a dime than it is for any of the Big Four to do so. Besides changing its mind and opening up free, unrestricted access to YouTube -- a wise move, we must confess -- Helio has now officially announced that its recently-upgraded "Helio UP" media upload app can be used to post directly to YouTube and Flickr accounts. Oh yeah, and it's all free and it happens in two clicks -- so if you see a flood of phone cam-quality videos on your iPhone in the near future, they're probably coming from Oceans (either that, or you're making the fatal error of trying to use YouTube over EDGE).
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>flickrheliohelio upHelioUppicturesvideovideo virusvideosVideoVirusyoutubeThu, 05 Jul 2007 23:10:00 EST<![CDATA[SK Telecom, EarthLink dump $200 million on Helio]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/07/04/sk-telecom-earthlink-dump-200-million-on-helio/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/07/04/sk-telecom-earthlink-dump-200-million-on-helio/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/07/04/sk-telecom-earthlink-dump-200-million-on-helio/#commentsFiled under: ,

As Amp'd scrambles for life and limb and Palm sees its once tight grip on the market slipping away, Helio is being rewarded with a pair of checks worth $100 million apiece. Reportedly, SK Telecom and EarthLink are set to inject a substantial amount of cash into the MVNO, as it has supposedly burned through the initial $440 million initially put forth. Recent financial results from Helio have been less than encouraging, but obviously someone up the ladder thinks it's wise to forge ahead through treacherous waters. Of course, just about anything can survive with enough funding to back it, but unless things get turned around real quick like, Helio isn't likely breathe new life into the oft neglected MVNO universe.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>businesscashearthlinkfundingindustryjoint ventureJointVenturejvsk telecomSkTelecomWed, 04 Jul 2007 19:52:00 EST<![CDATA[Helio flip-flops, gives users free access to YouTube]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/07/04/helio-flip-flops-gives-users-free-access-to-youtube/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/07/04/helio-flip-flops-gives-users-free-access-to-youtube/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/07/04/helio-flip-flops-gives-users-free-access-to-youtube/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


For a fledgling MVNO, charging users to access YouTube when many of the more mainstream carriers weren't demanding an extra cent wasn't a bright move. Thankfully, the higher-ups at Helio finally caught on to this fact, and have now retracted the fees required to access the video-sharing site on its network. The briefly constructed (and questionably titled) Video Virus application is now free for all, and users that somehow took the unseductive bait will be reimbursed for their trouble. Phew, here we were thinking that we'd be forced to circumvent the system with a complex series of proxies from here on out.

[Via mocoNews]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Wed, 04 Jul 2007 00:35:00 EST<![CDATA[Helio pits Apple's iPhone against Ocean]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/06/30/helio-pits-apples-iphone-against-ocean/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/06/30/helio-pits-apples-iphone-against-ocean/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/06/30/helio-pits-apples-iphone-against-ocean/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,


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.

Continue reading Helio pits Apple's iPhone against Ocean

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>comparecomparisoniphoneoceanSat, 30 Jun 2007 07:36:00 EST<![CDATA[Helio charging for access to YouTube Mobile, part of a bigger plan]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/06/23/helio-charging-for-access-to-youtube-mobile-part-of-a-bigger-pl/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/06/23/helio-charging-for-access-to-youtube-mobile-part-of-a-bigger-pl/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/06/23/helio-charging-for-access-to-youtube-mobile-part-of-a-bigger-pl/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Until recently, YouTube Mobile was the exclusive playground of Verizon subscribers -- but now, it's free for anyone with a sufficiently beefy data plan. Well, almost anyone, anyway; it seems that Helio, arguably the most multimedia-friendly carrier in the US, is charging to access YouTube's otherwise free mobile portal. The company's official stance is that the $5.99 monthly fee goes toward a new premium service called "Video Virus" that'll include access to YouTube, eBaum's World, and others, with two-click YouTube upload and a dedicated, exclusive YouTube app (packing some extra goodies not available elsewhere) all in the pipeline for later this year. To be fair, YouTube's clearly putting some kinks in every carrier's plans to monetize mobile video here, and we'd be surprised if others didn't follow in Helio's footsteps -- but that doesn't mean we're cool with it! Follow the link for a workaround that appears to be working for some folks.

[Thanks, Jacob C.]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>heliovideoviral videoViralVideoyoutubeyoutube mobileYoutubeMobileSat, 23 Jun 2007 17:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Engadget Mobile relaunch giveaways - Helio Ocean]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/05/22/engadget-mobile-relaunch-giveaways-helio-ocean/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/05/22/engadget-mobile-relaunch-giveaways-helio-ocean/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/05/22/engadget-mobile-relaunch-giveaways-helio-ocean/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Alright everybody, let's get this thing started. What would you say to a spankin' new Helio Ocean? You know it well: the very first dual slider with a 12 key and QWERTY keyboard, not to mention 3G, GPS, all kinds of messaging support, PlaysForSure, A2DP, and plenty more. Want to take one home? It's easy, just leave us a comment below, and do be sure to follow the following set of rules, won't you?

A few rules (yeah, there are always rules):
  • You may only enter this specific contest once. If you enter this contest more than once you'll be automatically disqualified and barred from all future giveaways. (Yes, we have robots that thoroughly check to ensure fairness.) In other words, be careful when commenting and don't submit more than once, ok?
  • You may enter our other EngMob relaunch contests, but you can't win more than once; if you happen to win more than once (which is pretty unlikely, but still) we'll ask you to choose just one of your prizes.
  • The prize is open to US entrants only. Hey, it's a US phone, you couldn't do anything with it anyway.
  • Contest is open until 11:59pm EST on Tuesday, May 29th.
  • We'll be shipping all the phones to winners once all the relaunch giveaway contests are over. (Yeah, we know it bites to have to wait, but dems the breaks!)
Thanks and good luck to everyone!
Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>contestheliooceanTue, 22 May 2007 16:33:00 EST<![CDATA[Helio Ocean launches today]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/05/11/helio-ocean-launches-today/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/05/11/helio-ocean-launches-today/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/05/11/helio-ocean-launches-today/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


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?
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dual slidedual sliderDualSlideDualSliderheliomvnooceanqwertysliderFri, 11 May 2007 03:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Helio Ocean unboxing and hands-on]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/05/09/helio-ocean-unboxing-and-hands-on/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/05/09/helio-ocean-unboxing-and-hands-on/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/05/09/helio-ocean-unboxing-and-hands-on/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


The last time we got to hang with the Helio Ocean it was still technically a prototype -- albeit a unit obviously near completion. Today we finally snagged the real deal, and let us just say this Ocean runs deep. (Sorry, had to.) The Helio UI feels a lot snappier, screen orientation switching is nearly instantaneous, and our niggles thus far are few (we really wish it wouldn't kick us out of all apps when we're in "default" position). We'll have the full report on this in the near future, but until this thing officially launches (soon, soon) then feast your eyes on our retail unboxing and hands-on.

Gallery: Helio Ocean unboxing and hands-on

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featureshands-onlaunchoceanretailWed, 09 May 2007 14:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Helio drags Earthlink earnings down, gets more cash from SKT]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/04/26/helio-drags-earthlink-earnings-down-gets-more-cash-from-skt/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/04/26/helio-drags-earthlink-earnings-down-gets-more-cash-from-skt/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/04/26/helio-drags-earthlink-earnings-down-gets-more-cash-from-skt/#commentsFiled under: ,

Alright, we've got good news and bad news. Which do you want first? The bad, you say? Well, it seems Helio's losses in the first quarter amounted to a $29.3 million equity loss for parent Earthlink in the same timespan, which ultimately accounts for over 97 percent of Earthlink's Q1 losses -- though in the earnings report, the company still seems pretty optimistic and committed to its MVNO lovechild with Korea's SK Telecom. Speaking of SK Telecom, the good news: Helio's other corporate parent said this week that it would be injecting additional capital to help out with marketing efforts (though would maintain the same equity balance in Helio with Earthlink that it does now). Like Earthlink, SK Telecom sounds optimistic about Helio's future, saying that despite falling short of initial expectations, ARPU (average revenue per user) and subscriber count are both looking up for 2008 and 2009. Something tells us the upcoming Ocean is going to help with those efforts significantly.

Read - Earnings release [Via mocoNews]
Read - SK Telecom's plans
Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>earningsearthlinkhelioprofitprofitssk telecomSkTelecomThu, 26 Apr 2007 13:35:00 EST<![CDATA[Helio Hybrid, RIP: 2006 - 2007]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/04/18/helio-hybrid-rip-2006-2007/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/04/18/helio-hybrid-rip-2006-2007/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/04/18/helio-hybrid-rip-2006-2007/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Helio has officially cut down its Hybrid EV-DO / WiFi data card down in its prime. Actually, we're not sure if the Hybrid was cut down before its prime, in its prime, or past its prime -- but any way you slice it, it's toast. The move is going down pretty quickly, too; no new Hybrids are being sold, and existing customers will be switched off as of May 8 (though they're "welcome" to keep the deactivated card, according to the announcement). Folks who also have a voice line activated with Helio will be given a month of free service for their troubles, but we imagine that's little consolation to the poor laptops mercilessly stripped of hotspot and EV-DO access in the discontinuation's aftermath. Was it Helio's stingy 160MB limit that ultimately lead to the Hybrid's demise? We may never know -- but given Helio's cozy relationship with Earthlink and Boingo, we'd be pretty surprised if the MVNO were out of the dedicated data business for good.

[Thanks, Brent S.]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>boingodatadata cardDataCardheliohybridlaptopmodempc cardPcCardWed, 18 Apr 2007 17:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Helio adds unlimited M2M option to all plans]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/04/12/helio-adds-unlimited-m2m-option-to-all-plans/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/04/12/helio-adds-unlimited-m2m-option-to-all-plans/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/04/12/helio-adds-unlimited-m2m-option-to-all-plans/#commentsFiled under: ,


Helio, the "don't call us a phone company" phone company that sells lifestyle instead of tech, has just added mobile-to-mobile (M2M) calling either as an option or a standard feature on all its plans. If you're an "All In" member of Helio's network, you will now receive free and unlimited M2M calling as part of your package at no extra cost. Outside of being a contractually-bound All-In member, Helio also offers the M2M service as an a la carte option for an extra $5 per month. So, get your buddies and family members on Helio and chat forever if you so choose. That is, if you're not typing your thumbs off with text messages or jamming out.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>HelioHelio mobile to mobileHelioMobileToMobileM2M callingM2mCallingMobile to mobileMobileToMobileUnlimited M2MUnlimitedM2mThu, 12 Apr 2007 18:14:00 EST<![CDATA[The Engadget Mobile Interview: Sky Dayton, CEO of Helio]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/04/09/the-engadget-mobile-interview-sky-dayton-ceo-of-helio/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/04/09/the-engadget-mobile-interview-sky-dayton-ceo-of-helio/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/04/09/the-engadget-mobile-interview-sky-dayton-ceo-of-helio/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Ryan, Chris, and I had the chance to sit down with Helio CEO Sky Dayton, almost exactly a year after we first interviewed him. A lot has changed in twelve months -- for starters, Helio hadn't even launched yet -- so read on to hear how the MVNO's been doing, what he really thinks about the iPhone, and why he's so excited about excited about their latest handset, the Ocean.

Last time we sat down with you it was a few months before Helio had launched. A year later, how has it been? Where are things now?

Yeah, so when we had last talked, we had no members. It was just an idea. It has been an amazing ride so far. It is great to be here and be able to talk about Ocean for the first time. Something we have been working on since even before Helio was a company.

I remember you mentioning a year ago that you had a Sidekick competitor coming out.

We were coy for a long time. We were just so focused on building it and working really hard, with a lot of travel to and intense amount of work by our team, so it is great to be here and be able to talk about this.


Continue reading The Engadget Mobile Interview: Sky Dayton, CEO of Helio

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuresheliointerviewsky daytonSkyDaytonMon, 09 Apr 2007 16:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Hands-on with the Helio Ocean]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/03/27/hands-on-with-the-helio-ocean/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/03/27/hands-on-with-the-helio-ocean/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/03/27/hands-on-with-the-helio-ocean/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,


Color us impressed. We got our first shot at Helio's upcoming superphone today, and from the all too brief time we had, we think this thing is gonna pack a punch. The dual slide mechanism was extraordinarily smooth -- one of the smoothest we've ever felt. It's big, but not unreasonably so for a handset of its capability and form factor, and the software build seemed slick and stable (the messaging app was killer, in particular). Click on for the Ocean in all its split-personality glory!

Gallery: Hands-on with the Helio Ocean

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ctiadual slideDualSlidefeaturesheliooceanpantechqwertyTue, 27 Mar 2007 12:26:00 EST<![CDATA[The Helio Ocean]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/03/26/the-helio-ocean/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/03/26/the-helio-ocean/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/03/26/the-helio-ocean/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


All hail the new king of Helio's lineup: "Ocean." That ain't really hyperbole, either; the Pantech-sourced device first seen in the FCC's claws a few months back easily has enough tricks up its sleeve to put it atop Helio's already impressive stable of featurephones. Most striking, of course, is the dual-slide design with QWERTY in one direction and numeric in the other -- a first, as best we can tell -- that gives users the best of both worlds without compromising much girth (21.8mm to be exact). Other unique goodies (besides the requisite EV-DO and GPS) include a contact list with integrated "presence detection" showing contacts' statuses on a variety of instant messaging services, Exchange Server and ActiveSync integration(!) for the suits out there, geo-tagged photo uploads with Helio UP, multi-client communications app for Yahoo!, AOL, MSN, Gmail, and email, and a click-free web search mechanism -- users simply begin typing from their home screen to seek out sites in its new full-HTML browser. The Ocean also has built-in Google Maps (as did the Heat and Drift), will rock out to PlaysForSure tunes for a claimed 15 hours (pretty frickin' impressive if that figure holds up), offer 200MB of internal storage with microSD expansion, USB mass storage mode, a 2 megapixel cam, and stereo Bluetooth support. Look for it to start showing up on shelves before summer sets in for $295.

Gallery: The Helio Ocean

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dual slideDualSlideheliomvnooceanpantechqwertyMon, 26 Mar 2007 06:00:00 EST