It was widely thought the day would come at some point, but it looks as if Virgin Mobile is shuttering the Helio brand name.  Not only is the Pantech Ocean 2 no longer available on the website (oddly enough, it leaves the ancient Ocean as the only QWERTY device available), but the "Helio" moniker is gone from the devices, being replaced by the actual brand names.  According to the screenshots of the phones (which we all know aren't always reliable), Helio is still branded on them, but there's no sign as to whether they actually ship that way.

If you shop on the Korean version of Virgin Mobile's Helio website, the story is different.  Not only is the Helio brand name still alive and well, but devices like the Fin and Heat - discontinued for some time on the American website - are available for purchase.  Without going into too much of the logistics, my guess is the SK Telecom ownership plays a role in it.

Source: Mobile Crunch

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.]]>http://www.phonedog.com/cell-phone-research/pantech-ocean.aspx?utm_source=Rss&utm_medium=CellPhone_pantech-ocean&utm_campaign=PhoneDog10/7/2008 1:25:20 PMHelio 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 this is all going down and what it will mean for current Helio subscribers, let alone that Ocean 2 handset that's already been spied in the halls of the FCC.  More as we get it...

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]]>http://www.phonedog.com/cell-phone-research/pantech-ocean.aspx?utm_source=Rss&utm_medium=CellPhone_pantech-ocean&utm_campaign=PhoneDog6/18/2008 2:34:46 AMPROSSome 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.]]>http://www.phonedog.com/cell-phone-research/pantech-ocean.aspx?utm_source=Rss&utm_medium=CellPhone_pantech-ocean&utm_campaign=PhoneDog6/13/2008 11:15:37 AMEngadget Mobile.

What's easier to get a read on are Ocean 2's specs: 3mp camera (up from 2mp), 30 fps video recording, 1 gig of internal memory and a microSD card slot, Flash support built right into the Web browser, a touch-sensitive D-Pad (hmm), and PC sync support.  Aside from that touch-sensitive D-Pad business, everything else sounds good.  Especially that Web browser with Flash support.

There's no word on when OZ2 might drop on Helio, or what it'll cost, but I'll let you know as soon as I find out.  And for what it's worth, a little birdy told me that OZ2 is going to be more of a minor upgrade while OZ3 - which Helio's already hard at work on - is "beautiful."  So if this newest Ocean doesn't knock your socks clean off, have faith, Ye Helionauts.  Or HelioBoys.  Or whatever you Helio fans call yourselves.

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!!]]>http://www.phonedog.com/cell-phone-research/pantech-ocean.aspx?utm_source=Rss&utm_medium=CellPhone_pantech-ocean&utm_campaign=PhoneDog10/9/2007 6:17:56 PM

I recently bought a Helio Ocean for review purposes.  I cancelled my service within their 30-day trial period and obtained an RMA number and mailer with which to return the handset.  Meantime I checked my monthly bank statement and noticed that $125 or so had been charged by Helio to my debit card.  What?  I was expecting a bill somewhere in the $70-80 range for 28 days worth of service ($65 all-in plan plus $6 for video service plus tax), but $125?

So I called customer service.  Apparently a 314 minute phone call had put me over my monthly minute allotment and tallied some $40+ in overage charges.  I explained that I hadn't made any five hour calls on my Helio Ocean, and while I was happy to pay for the service I'd used, maybe there'd been some kind of glitch in their system?  After offering up a host of lame possibilities (hey, it's their job), the customer service rep said she'd escalate my claim to Tier 2 support and I'd hear back within 24-48 hours.  Long story short, I got that same promise three different times on three different calls, and haven't heard back from Helio once. 

Every time I called, the service rep agreed with me that there must have been a billing error on Helio's end.  The last time I called, the service rep told me he'd push my claim straight through to finance, and they'd get back to me within that same 48 hour time period, most likely to confirm they were crediting the overage charges back to my debit card.  Never heard a peep from them.

I sent the Ocean back about a week ago.  And while it's too soon to really have a complaint about it, I did just check my bank statement: No $331 credit yet for returning the handset (let alone that forty dollar overage credit). 

It's no secret that lousy customer service has become the norm in America, and that it's generally even worse amongst cellular providers.  But I've never had it this bad before - and apparently I'm far from alone.  Google "Helio customer service" or check out the Howard Forums thread linked to below for this gem: "15 calls, 9 reps, 6 Sup's, still no refund!."

Sure, Ocean is a sweet handset, particularly if you can't get enough of messaging, My Space, and mobile Internet.  But be forewarned: What Helio's got going for them in terms of state-of-the-art tech, they really seem to be lacking in the customer service department.

Read: howardforums.com/showthread.php?threadid=1046844">"Helio Customer Service-Horrible!!!"</a> (Howard Forums)

CONS
a little cramped keyboard. the keyboard should slide down further!

SUMMARY
This is my favorite phone and i have had the sidekick 2 and the samsung t809 and the motorola v600... and the nokia 7370 and the 7390!]]>http://www.phonedog.com/cell-phone-research/pantech-ocean.aspx?utm_source=Rss&utm_medium=CellPhone_pantech-ocean&utm_campaign=PhoneDog6/17/2007 2:44:15 PMPROS1

CONS
1

SUMMARY
1]]>http://www.phonedog.com/cell-phone-research/pantech-ocean.aspx?utm_source=Rss&utm_medium=CellPhone_pantech-ocean&utm_campaign=PhoneDog6/6/2007 4:00:54 PM

The Helio Ocean is a spectacular phone and what makes it so brilliant is the dual slider. You can slide out like your average slider phone to reveal the numeric keypad or you can slide out sideways to reveal the QWERTY keyboard!  The Ocean has a great 2 megapixel camera with digital zoom, flash for photos, and video recording. 

For more information check out the website at: helio.com/#devices_ocean

The Helio Ocean will pack separate slider boards for dialing and texting, as well as 3G data (via Sprint), and a completely redesigned Helio user interface featuring what some claim is the best Web browser ever to grace their sweaty palms.  And, of course, there's support for all of that IM, My Space Mobile, and music-listening stuff the kids are so into these days.