Pantech Ocean 2 Cell Phone
Part two of the Ocean 2 review focuses on Web browsing and the phone's nifty integrated notifications system. And there's even a live IM session! Helio's Ocean 2 is still one of the best non-smartphones available, even if it's not that different than the original Ocean. Noah goes in-depth with the Ocean 2 in part one of his review. Episode 2 of GadgetDog with Noah for February 9, 2009: Hands-on with the Virgin Mobile Helio Ocean 2, Woz Dances with Stars, Grammys Wrap-Up, Netbooks No More, and iHarmonix earbuds reviewed. Helionauts rejoice! At long last it's the Ocean 2. Launching on Feb 12 for $149, the Virgin Mobile Ocean 2 brings back the dual-sliding Ocean with a few twists. Noah has a hands-on preview for you, starting with the unboxing. Carrier: HelioRetail Price: $400Contract Price: $149 after rebate for new Helio customersHot Features: GPS with Google maps and Buddy Beacon
The Pantech Ocean 2 sports the same dual slider form factor as the original Ocean, but adds numerous features to enhance the user experience. Key features include a 2.0 megapixel camera, Opera mini browser, GPS with Google maps and Buddy Beacon, media player, stereo Bluetooth, 3.5mm headset jack,... Pros: The overall design of the phone is great. The fact that you can check your email and even add an account to your email list if it is not one of the ones provided. The internet via Opera Mini is much faster than you would expect. The duel sliding motion of the phone makes the phone very easy to use. I also enjoy the scrolling option on the center button. It is so much easier to navigate through the different options and the web. Cons: The life of the battery gets drained if you surf the internet, so be sure to bring your charger with you. Since this is a new phone there are no plastic cases for protection. Also the phone is a little heavy. It does take some time to get used to. Summary: I've been a Helio customer now for almost two years. When I first signed up with Helio, I had the gold version of the Heat. Great phone but I was really waiting to upgrade to the Ocean. When I called customer service to upgrade to the Ocean after my first year of service, I was told if I held off for a couple of months I would get a great deal on the new Ocean 2. I then waited until the week of the Ocean 2 to debut and to my delight Helio (Virgin Mobile) rewared me with the new Ocean 2 for FREE. Of course the catch was that I had to pay for sales tax and shipping, but I gladly obliged. After about almost a month, I am impressed with this phone and its capabilities. Myself and my two other roommates have the Ocean (they have the Ocean 1 and I'm the only one with the Ocean 2) and we're the talk of the town. I couldn'thave asked for a better phone. I only wish it came in other colors, but I'm not complaining about the sleek red color and design. I am anxiously awaiting someone to come out with a screen protector and plastic case for the phone. Since it is slightly longer and wider than the Ocean 1 the cases available for the Ocean won't work with the Ocean 2. My only complaint is the battery life of the phone. However you can't expect to have everlasting battery life when you can call someone, email, text, make a posting on Facebook, view a Microsoft Word document in fileviewer and play guitar hero all on the same phone. Pros: IM/TEXT/DOWN LOADING MUSIC FROM P.C./ Cons: What speakerphone? Their RMA is faulty and will send you back worse than what you sent them to fix in the first place. Ex dust in screen, loose screw under battery and are quick to refer you to the Terms and conditions. Summary: I bought this phone because I wanted a companion while driving my bus. Bluetooth works ok(headset only) i was very disapointed to learn that the speaker quality is less than average. In fact customer service will have you send them your device promissing better quality only to send a referb back to you in a come as it is condition. GOOD-LUCK. Pros: Acess to email thru Yahoo, Google. MSN, AOL. Chatting thru Yahoo AOL, easy access to your own Helio web mail address. Dont have to call customer care (email them) Wap web browser from Helio, or HTML third party browser from Opera. Great for myspace, facebook, youtube, google, craigslist and more,round shape helps keep the device in your hands better than a square device. 3G web network, Great Individual plans/Family plans Cons: Freezes if you enter into a new area than what your used to (will do it once and then be used to it), not many bluetooth profiles, speakerphone almost non hearable, if sprint stinks in your area this might not be so great, but itll still work. Summary: Wow, a multi media power house meet business functionality. This M2D is not meant to be used primarily as a phone, but more of a media center for those who are on the road or for teens who are into posting pics and blogs :D or for business persons who do mostly texting or emailing. Having said that i love it! I can post a video to Youtube one minute and then surf the internet the next or check my bank account balance online, or check flights or what ever. I say that for those who dont like the Ocean, you used it for the wrong purpose. This is a completely functional device that is lots of fun! I hope u will find this review helpful Pros: Some but not any to brag about Cons: qwerty buttons tiny, freezes often, and very limited bluetooth! Summary: Don't be fooled by the hype that the ocean has around it its a mediocre phone and if your considering it you would be better off getting the instinct or something. With bluetooth you cant send or receive files only use headsets. 0 out of 1 people found this review helpful Pros: Couldn't find any Cons: Device & customer service Summary: I had 3 devices in 30 days. They would crash and the Heli techs could not solve the problem. The customer service is pathetic. They told me it takes up to 6 weeks to post payments, made it nearly impossible to get my number back and after 3 months I still don't have a refund. I do however have an FCC complaint!! 17 out of 33 people found this review helpful i am thinking of geting a phone were it has a full qwerty and facebook moible acesibility which should i get and other sugestions is alright i have to agree with crazyt there they should have called the ocean 2 the ocean upgrade or something and then made the ocean 2 have a touchscreen Thats good to hear. but i think the ocean vs ocean 2 would be a good dogfight. i think they should have called the ocean 2 the ocean 1.5.I still think a good one would be the g1 vs the n96.I look foward to further dogfights. yeah have to say u r right there but i just wanted to see what noah thought since i couldnt get my hands on one Hm... well I could see a nice dog fight between the latter two, but really the Ocean 2 seems like a disappointment in my eyes.I mean, at 0.83" and only a 2 MP camera it might as well have been the flagship phone for 2007 not 2009. :P lolJust my $0.02... the best dogfight ever would definitely be the ocean 2 versus the iphone 3g or g1 that would be really awesome!!! whos with me? Buying choicesWith new service  This item is not being sold with a service plan by any online merchant. With pre-paid service This item is not being sold with a pre-paid service service plan by any online merchant. Purchase phone only Accessories Purchase compatible accessories for this phone Ringtones & MediaShop for compatible mobile content for this phone
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4.5 
After about a month, I am impressed with this phone and its capabilities. Myself and my two other roommates have the Ocean and we're the talk of the town. I couldn'thave asked for a better phone. I only wish it came in other colors, but I'm not complaining about the sleek red color and design. I am anxiously awaiting someone to come out with a screen protector and plastic case for the phone. Since it is slightly longer and wider than the Ocean 1 the cases available for the Ocean won't work with the Ocean 2.
My only complaint is the battery life of the phone. However you can't expect to have everlasting battery life when you can call someone, email, text, make a posting on Facebook, view a Microsoft Word document in fileviewer and play guitar hero all on the same phone.