Helio announces Ocean dual-slider phone

Helio just released the new device at CTIA in Orlando, called Ocean. Previously thought to be called Oz Smartphone, the Ocean is a feature-packed device with an innovative dual-slide design, that boasts both regular handset keypad and a full QWERTY keyboard.

In terms of specs, the Helio Ocean will sport a 2 MP camera, a 2.4″ QVGA screen, an integrated GPS, an EV-DO for high-speed data transfer, a Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP support, and will have an internal memory of 200 MB. Furthermore the new device will support MP3, AAC, and WMA DRM audio, and MPEG-4, H.264, and VOD video files.

The key selling points of the Helio Ocean are a set of innovations this device packs. Among them, Helio Ocean is:

• The first dual-slider device
• The first device with integrated IM, email, text messaging, picture messaging, Exchange support all in one location
• The first device with IM presence integrated into address book
• The first device with idle mode search
• The first device with photo/video upload with GPS tagging
• The first device to support sideloaded (drag and drop), OTA and DRM (subscription and purchased) audio (w/up to 15 hrs of audio playback time)

The Helio Ocean measures 109×55.8×21.8 mm and weighs 159 g. The new device will be launched in Spring of 2007 for a suggested retail price of US$295. (via: MobileBurn, DarlaMack)