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(Credit: Corinne Schulze/CBS Interactive)

Helio Ocean 2 photos

Remember that Helio Ocean 2 we mentioned last week? Well, we got our hands on it and reviewed it.

It has the same dual-slider form factor as the original and, of course, the same bulky shape, but it has a couple of improvements over the first Ocean. First, it now has a unique optical-sensor touch pad, which makes scrolling through menus and long Web pages a lot easier. Second, the keypad and keyboard buttons are improved: they're a lot more tactile and easier to press now.

But perhaps more interesting are its features: it has all of the EV-DO and GPS functionality we've come to love from Helio products, plus we can't say enough about the new tabbed HTML browser and the updated messaging dashboard. That said, is that sufficient enough for people to get over its hefty size? We let you be the judge. It's available today February 12 from Virgin Mobile for $149. Oh, and don't forget to read our full review of the Helio Ocean 2.

Helio Ocean 2: Possibly on its way soon.

(Credit: MobileCrunch)

It appears that the much-awaited sequel to the Helio Ocean has finally surfaced...or at least its photos have, anyway.

MobileCrunch posted some pics of the Ocean 2's unboxing, and Engadget Mobile mentioned that Virgin has released a press release stating that the Ocean 2 will be making an appearance in Britney's big comeback tour.

Looks like a sleek little device. We'll definitely have more information about the Ocean 2 for you soon.

Helio Ocean 2?

(Credit: Engadget Mobile)

It looks like a few details have slipped about Helio's probable successor to the Ocean, currently dubbed the Ocean 2. From Engadget Mobile, the Helio Ocean 2 is purported to have a 3-megapixel camera, a dual-slider design like the first Ocean, 1GB internal storage, Flash support in the browser, 30fps video recording, a touch-sensitive pad, a microSD card slot, plus PC sync capability. Obviously, this is still strictly in vaporware/rumor stage, but it's exciting to see if Helio can pull this one off; perhaps even before the iPhone release?

Users will no longer have to hack their Helio to use Opera Mini.

(Credit: Heliocity.com)

For mobile service Helio, it's a sure sign you're doing something wrong if the most popular app among your user community is a hack. For Opera Software, the fact that it's your app is a sure sign you're doing something right.

Since last August, users at the Helio community site Heliocity have been peddling a re-engineered version of the Opera Mini browser that was specially hacked with the Ocean smartphone in mind. Seven months later, Rod Hamlin, senior vice president of sales and marketing at Opera Software, got on the phone to confirm that starting Wednesday, Opera Mini will be officially available on Ocean phones.

"We've always been really impressed with the Ocean as a device and (with) Helio for really listening to their user community," Hamlin said of the partnership. "Opera Mini became a popular hack, so the Helio folks came to us and wanted to make it an official download."

While Norway-based Opera has benefited from deals with American manufacturers--Opera Mobile and Opera Mini have shipped with select Motorola phones since 2003--this agreement with Helio marks the first time that the company has inked a deal with a U.S. mobile service provider.

Opera Mini for Helio Ocean will be available on Wednesday via the Ocean's on-deck Web portal and will also ship on Helio Ocean phones. According to Hamlin, the two companies may soon discuss support for other Helio models.

To use the worst of bad plays on words, YouTube has thrown itself into the Ocean: Youth-oriented mobile carrier Helio announced Wednesday that it has souped up the YouTube video offerings for its Ocean handset.

Owners of the double-keyboard smartphone are now able to upload videos to the Google-owned service more easily, fill in various criteria for them (privacy settings, tags, descriptions, categories) and "geotag" them thanks to the handset's GPS capability. Additionally, the Ocean YouTube application facilitates access to some of the social-networking features previously unavailable to most mobile versions of YouTube--rating, commenting, and access to personal videos through a full log-in.

The enhanced mobile YouTube is available free of charge on the Ocean, which has a 3G mobile Web connection. It's not the first time that a handset manufacturer has touted YouTube integration--Apple's iPhone prominently features a player for the wildly popular video-sharing service, and LG makes a "YouTube phone," the KU990 Viewty.

The new YouTube on the Helio Ocean.

(Credit: Helio)

But Helio considers its YouTube interface to be a step above the fray, and apparently YouTube's honchos agree. "Helio has taken the mobile YouTube experience to the next level," Chad Hurley, YouTube co-founder and CEO, said in a statement from Helio. "This innovative application offers people even more customization and provides them with instant access to interact with the YouTube community whenever and wherever they go."

Helio, a joint venture between EarthLink and SK Telecom that offers a regularly changing lineup of handsets, apparently has a new phone on the way called the "Mysto." No details on the gadget are available aside from a $150 price tag and a screenshot that appeared in the December issue of hipster fashion magazine Nylon.

But even though Helio continually rolls out new gadgets and high-profile partnership deals like the YouTube application, the company's future is still up in the air. The company has yet to convince the public that its business model can succeed, especially as competitors like Amp'd Mobile have shuttered.

(Credit: Ocean)

There's much to love about the Helio Ocean smartphone, as evidenced by CNET's 8.0 rating. Of course, the $299 price tag always seemed a little rich for my cheapskate blood. That's why I'm geeked about Helio's new "refreshed" (a.k.a. pre-owned) Oceans, which you can score for just $99. You even get free 2-day shipping.

Helio says these refurbs are "good as new," though I'm troubled by the lack of specifics and warranty details on the company's Refreshed Devices page. Still, it's probably worth a little risk in exchange for such a sweet dual-sliding smartphone. Helio has also dropped the price of its Unlimited talk/data plan to $99 per month.

I've used an Ocean on and off for the past couple months, and while I find it a little on the bulky side, I love the overall design and sense of fun it imbues. Who says smartphones have to be all buttoned-down business? [Via Electronista]

Helio Ocean featuring Microsoft Exchange

(Credit: Engadget)

When we first reviewed the Helio Ocean a couple months ago, we thought the killer application would be its support for Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync, which was unfortunately unavailable at the time. The Exchange integration would work well to bridge the gap between the young hipster types that are Helio's core audience and mobile professionals. Well, today's the day, because that Exchange application is now here. As was reported by Engadget, the Ocean is finally getting the Exchange ActiveSync support, including an improved version of Helio's file viewer that supports Microsoft Office documents. It's not free, though: The whole mobile office package will cost $10 a month on top of your regular fees. But you do get free use within the first 60 days, and an extra $10 isn't too much to bring your work with you on the go.

Helio on display

(Credit: Kent German/CNET Networks)

While visiting family in Palo Alto last weekend, I came upon a Helio store on the city's main shopping street, University Avenue. I knew the youth-centric MVNO carrier opened four stores in California and Colorado, but this was my first chance to visit one of the locations. I couldn't snap pictures inside, but like the carrier's corporate image, the store's interior was flashy, slick, and comfortable. There were lounge chairs, the staff was quite attentive, and the phones were featured in interactive display cases. My 6-year-old nephew was decidedly unimpressed until I showed him the dual-sliding action on the Helio Ocean. He promptly dropped his request to play hide-and-seek and was captivated.

The Helio Ocean mystifies me.

(Credit: Helio)

Ever have someone tell a joke and everyone but you laughs uproariously?

That's how I feel about the Helio Ocean. Seems like every reviewer in the U.S. has tripped over themselves with praise. Me? I don't get it. The top row of the keyboard is difficult and uncomfortable to use, and the learning curve for the Ocean's unique interface is only worth the trouble if you're determined to have it as your only device.

If you're a gadget addict like me, you carry a bag for all of your toys. So a big klutzy phone/PDA/MP3/video/messaging/makes-your-breakfast-and-everything-else-in-the-world gizmo doesn't do it--not when it does everything just sorta OK.

And if you're looking for one item to pop into your shirt pocket, better get two--or you'll tilt to one side.