Part 1: Noah's Video Review for the Ocean

RIP Helio: Virgin Set to Absorb Helio, Close its Doors, Kill off its Brand

Looks like the end is near for Helio and all you Helionauts, I'm sad to say.  Ryan Block - the Editor in Chief of Engadget Ryan Block - just reported that Helio store managers are being notified that Virgin will be shuttering the doors on some, or possibly all, of Helio's retail outlets across the country as part of their takeover of the copmany.  Furthermore it looks like Virgin will simply absorb all that is Helio, doing away with the Helio brand in the process. No word yet on when...

OZ2 : Helio Ocean 2 - Photos and Specs

At long last some news on the forthcoming sequel to Helio's flagship device: The Ocean 2, aka OZ2.  The notable changes seem to be on the inside, as OZ2 rocks the same dual slider form factor as the original and looks to be more or less the same size, if a little more rounded and futuristic looking.  Honestly, it's hard to tell from the sole photo that hit the Web over on Engadget Mobile.What's easier to get a read on are Ocean 2's specs: 3mp camera (up from 2mp), 30 fps video...

The Worst? Helio customer service needs big-time help

Normally I try to remain neutral about cellular carriers and equipment manufacturers, and keep my commentary to objective handset reviews and information regarding rate plans, new services, and such.  But given my own recent experiences with Helio and the growing displeasure expressed by their customers around the Web, I felt compelled to mention this to any of you considering signing up with Helio:  Helio's customer service is the worst I've ever experienced amongst cellular...

Pantech Ocean in-depth review - Introduction & Design

Earlier this year, Helio CEO Sky Dayton said that the Ocean is the phone he "dreamt of making" when he first took over as the MVNO's chief executive.  The Helio-designed, Pantech-built Ocean has also been near the top of my - and every other phone reviewer's - "can't wait for it" list since it was announced.  Featuring a unique dual-slider design affording dedicated QWERTY and dialing pads, a 2mp camera, media player, and messaging-centric features running over Sprint's 3G data...

Pantech Ocean in-depth review - Features

FeaturesI could easily write a novel-length description of Ocean's features and probably still leave something out.  Helio's bread and butter is packing their "not phones" with access to all sorts of multimedia and games that users can download or subscribe to (for additional fees) via the Helio Store.  Ocean is the first device really designed from the ground up as a high-tech means of accessing all Helio has to offer.   In many ways it succeeds beyond expectations,...

Pantech Ocean in-depth review - Display & Audio

Ocean's display is excellent.  Oddly, something about the layout of the handset's "display layer" made me think the screen was smaller than it actually is, but at 2.4" in size and a QVGA resolution at 260,000 colors, Ocean's screen is on par with all but the very upper echelon of today's mobile phones.  I really like Helio's user-friendly menus and display fonts, and text, images, and video all rendered bright and crisp on Ocean's screen.  Screens rotate very quickly from...