Crave

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.

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.

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

"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

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.

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

But even though Helio continually rolls out new gadgets

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 . He promptly dropped his request to play hide-and-seek and was captivated.

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

That's how I feel about the

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.