The Helio Ocean 2 might just be the most anticipated device to ever grace Helio’s network. With a dual-sliding design that sports both a numeric keypad and QWERTY keyboard, the Helio Ocean 2 is a flexible, text-messaging powerhouse that’s sure to appeal to Helio fans all over. Following on rumors that the Ocean 2 will be going live in the near future, the Helio-bound handset has been spotted in the wild.

The blur-tastic images aren’t really good enough to take seriously, but the appearance of the Ocean 2 helps corroborate speculation that the handset will be launching sometime next month. As expected, the Helio Ocean 2 takes the original Helio Ocean’s spec-sheet and gives it an evolutionary upgrade. Other details are slim, but we do know that the Ocean 2 will be rocking a solid 3 megapixel camera.

We’ll be sure to get some face time with the Helio Ocean 2 at Mobile World Congress. Stay tuned!

[Via: EngadgetMobile]

The word on the street is that the successor to the Helio Ocean, the aptly-named Helio Ocean 2, will be making its US debut sometime soon. Following on the Ocean 2’s FCC approval last year, Helio reps have apparently told Silicon Alley Insider that the Helio Ocean 2 will be going live on Helio’s Virgin Mobile-owned network in the first quarter of 2009.

The Helio Ocean 2 will presumably pick up where the original Helio Ocean left off. We’re looking for the Helio Ocean 2 to sport a dual-sliding form-factor that features both a QWERTY keyboard and a traditional numeric keypad. Other details are slim at the moment, but a bumped-up spec-sheet is pretty much in the cards.

We’re expecting the Helio Ocean 2 to command a $100+ price-tag on launch – the original Helio Ocean is still pulling down $79.

[Via: SiliconAlleyInsider]

Virgin Mobile USA apparently made a good move in their decision to acquire defunct post-paid wireless carrier Helio. Following a negative 2Q 2008 that had costs associated with the Helio acquisition dragging down Virgin Mobile USA (NYSE: VM)’s bottom line, the affordable wireless carrier has announced a profitable 3Q 2008.

Virgin Mobile USA added 821,491 gross subscribers to its network, representing an 8% year-on-year increase in subscriber additions. Their expanded customer base helped Virgin Mobile pull in $4.1 million in profits for the third quarter, easing the blow of the carrier’s $7.4 million loss last quarter.

The financial announcement proves that the wireless industry might prove to be a profitable safe-harbor in a rough economic sea.

[Via: RCR]

See, these pics beat the snot out of those blurry leaked ones from May. The dual-sliding Helio Ocean 2, not due out until 2009, went through the FCC ringer in March and dropped some pictures along the way.  It’s looking a helluva lot sleeker, although still a bit chubby to accommodate all the extreme sliding going on. It’ll be packing a 2 megapixel camera, 3G over EVDO, a full slide-out QWERTY keyboard and standard slider number pad. It will be interesting to see if Virgin’s handling of the Ocean 2 launch can bring Helio back onto its feet…

[PhoneScoop via MobileCrunch]

More pics of the Helio Ocean 2 after the jump!

U.S. MVNO Helio is still hard at work on the successor to their original dual slider, but recent commentary from Virgin spokesperson Jane Wallace at CTIA has indicated that it sadly won’t be available this year. Rumored specs include a 3 megapixel camera, 30 fps video recording, 1 GB storage, microSDHC card slot for memory expansion, touch-sensitive directional pad, Flash support, and PC sync support. The first Ocean was really slick-looking, and made me wish Helio had a shop set up in Canada, but alas, Virgin Mobile is just starting to get settled up North, nevermind hauling their acquisitions with them. Hopefully by the time the Ocean 2 is ready to rock, Helio will have regained some financial stability and can start looking to expand. If you want a closer look, the FCC documentation is available right over here.

[via PCMag]

Helio has risen again! After being gobbled up by Virgin Mobile USA (NYSE: VM), Helio has emerged with new branding. Virgin Mobile USA will be pushing their newly acquired Helio brand with the slogan, “Helio By Virgin Mobile: Plan To Have It All.”

Not a bad way to cater to the post-paid side of the US wireless market, if we do say so ourselves. And, with the Shuttle expected to be launched as the first Virgin Mobile handset to feature the previously Helio-only Buddy Beacon service,  Virgin Mobile could have a good thing going here.

Virgin Mobile also saw to it that the Helio $80 monthly plan includes unlimited voice minutes, which falls in line with Virgin Mobile’s “Totally Unlimited” plan.

Helio

[Via: MocoNews]

A month ago Virgin Mobile USA said that it will acquire Helio for $39 million. The Richard Branson-Sprint (NYSE: S)’s MVNO has announced that it’s a done deal. Under the terms of the agreement, Helio shareholders (SK Telecom (NYSE: SKM) and EarthLink) got 13 million shares of Virgin Mobile USA (NYSE: VM) Class A common stock, or about $38 million based on the average closing price. Additionally, SK Telecom and Virgin Group will each invest $25 million in Virgin Mobile USA for preferred shares.

According to Virgin Mobile USA’s CEO, Dan Schulman, with the acquisition of Helio the company gets:

• a set of unique and differentiated data applications;
• entry into the postpaid market, with a sophisticated billing and customer care platform;
• approximately 170,000 Helio customers;
• revised terms for the Sprint PCS Services Agreement, expected to result in an 8% reduction in the Company’s effective cost per minute in 2009;
• reduction in net debt of approximately $35 – $40 million, through the investments of $25 million each by SK Telecom and Virgin Group in the form of preferred mandatory convertible stock at the price of $8.50 per share;
• an increase to Virgin Mobile USA’s total revolver from $75 million to $135 million, through additional commitments of $25 million by Virgin Group and $35 million by SK Telecom; and
• the addition of SK Telecom as a strategic shareholder with two seats on the Company’s Board of Directors.

We wish all the best to the bigger company and look forward to see Virgin Mobile USA introducing new products and services in the future.

In an effort to cut some of its costs and make the business more attractive to Virgin Mobile USA (NYSE: VM) (part of acquisition agreement?), Helio has closed all of its stores except the one in the New York City.

Apparently, the NYC store won’t be closed for now and Virgin Mobile will decide (or at least announce) later what it will do about it.

As part of its acquisition, which is expected to close by the end of September, Virgin will cut Helio’s staff from 570 to just 200…

[Via: MobileBurn]

It seems the not-quite-defunct MVNO has been so inspired by its recent Virgin Mobile buy-out deal that they’ve decided to release a couple. Helio isn’t exactly known for rolling out new handsets on a timely basis, but there’s something about being gobbled up by another carrier that has apparently spurred Helio to go live with new color variants for the Helio Mysto and Helio Heat.

The White Mysto and Red Heat are now available from Helio, but only if you’re a card-carrying member of the Korean community. Mirroring Helio’s move to give Korean-Americans first-crack at the Helio Mysto, the carrier will be making initial stock of the White Mysto and Red Heat available to Korean customers.

Head on over to your local Helio dealer to get your hands on the cool, new White Mysto and red-hot Red Heat.

[Via: Heliocity]

It’s basically a done deal, pending regulatory approval, that is. Virgin Mobile USA (NYSE: VM)’s acquisition of Helio has been expected to happen for some time now, and now that it’s finally official, there are bound to be handfuls of Helio customers with questions about the takeover. More like 170,000 handfuls of Helio customers, to be more precise.

So, rather than leaving it up to Helio customers to find out the hard way that they’ll be subject to an ETF (early termination fee) if they decide to jump ship from Helio amidst the Virgin Mobile USA takeover, Helio has put together a little Q&A fact-sheet.

Most notable is that Helio is still accepting new activations and will be keeping current contracts intact – that means ETFs are still in place, people.

Keep reading to find out the details on what Helio customers can expect during these confusing times.

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