wow. old skool. my dad used to have one of the 1st mobile phones out - he had to carry it in a briefcase!
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iPhone Alternative: Helio Ocean
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wow. old skool. my dad used to have one of the 1st mobile phones out - he had to carry it in a briefcase!
Bothering
It bothers me quite a lot to see this advertisment-slash-"rumor?" as the main post on the first page.
What the hell is going on with this site?
It bothers me quite a lot to see this advertisment-slash-"rumor?" as the main post on the first page.
What the hell is going on with this site?
Hey Arn, at least you're comparing the iPhone to an actual competitor, and not something like...oh...say a Blackberry 8700..*cough* AI *cough*.
But seriously I think Helio has some potential, the only thing that phases me as already mentioned is that it's a bit of a beast.
Some other good alternatives I think are the 83XX series blackberries and the HTC TyTn or whatever it's called.
But seriously I think Helio has some potential, the only thing that phases me as already mentioned is that it's a bit of a beast.
Some other good alternatives I think are the 83XX series blackberries and the HTC TyTn or whatever it's called.
S
SamL
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A straight up copy and slow post off of MarketMatador.com
Check out the article @: http://www.marketmatador.com/2007/07/24/who-knows-helio/
Check out the article @: http://www.marketmatador.com/2007/07/24/who-knows-helio/
selective truths in the comparison
Helio did not tell the whole story there...
1. The Ocean doesn't have WiFi, forcing you to use only the cell network to transfer data. 3G data coverage is only avalible around citys, and where there is no 3G or standard data (which is most of the US - see attached map) you have no data at all and can only use the phone's voice services.
2. They neglected to explain that unlike the iPhone, which uses a GSM/GPRS modem for its long range communications, the ocean uses CDMA-2000/EV-DO, a closed and dieing standard avalible only in the US and Korea, rendering the Ocean useless in the entire rest of the world.
For these reasons + its meager interface, tiny buttons and fugly case design, i will never buy an Ocean, or any other CDMA phone for that matter.
Helio did not tell the whole story there...
1. The Ocean doesn't have WiFi, forcing you to use only the cell network to transfer data. 3G data coverage is only avalible around citys, and where there is no 3G or standard data (which is most of the US - see attached map) you have no data at all and can only use the phone's voice services.
2. They neglected to explain that unlike the iPhone, which uses a GSM/GPRS modem for its long range communications, the ocean uses CDMA-2000/EV-DO, a closed and dieing standard avalible only in the US and Korea, rendering the Ocean useless in the entire rest of the world.
For these reasons + its meager interface, tiny buttons and fugly case design, i will never buy an Ocean, or any other CDMA phone for that matter.
Attachments
Wtf?
Why is this relevant to mac rumors? What is this? Gizmodo? Have we sold out here or something? Seriously, I've never seen a more irrelevant post on this site.
Why is this relevant to mac rumors? What is this? Gizmodo? Have we sold out here or something? Seriously, I've never seen a more irrelevant post on this site.
I don't think that's the point at all. Like you say there are multiple alternatives to the iphone, especially if you look outside the US too, there are many "much better" devices (on paper, not necessarily in person).. I'd hate it if they ended up on macrumors, as they have naff-all to do with anything Apple. You have to draw the line somewhere, and the logical place to draw it would be before *any* of the "alternatives".. No reason should cause this to be up, even a joke.
Sidekicks, Treos, random SEs and Nokias.. A lot of the Macrumors members were tired of the iPhone hype itself.. If MacRumors is going to start going on about other random devices too, that'll make people even worse.
I don't mind too much as it looks like an interesting device, but it probably shouldn't be here. If you're doing this, what about alternatives to the AppleTV, Cimena Display and other satellites of the Mac range?
I fully agree with you on that point, it really shouldnt be on the front page of this site maybe in the forums but not on the front page.
I do hope Macrumors hasn't set it's heart on becoming another gutter level dollar driven tech blog.
F*(kin internet is already fast becoming nothing more than one massive virtual shillzone...
F*(kin internet is already fast becoming nothing more than one massive virtual shillzone...
No. No advertising money was exchanged.
Hey... if I were on a plane to SF to report on a certain Media event... then I'd be too busy to explore this sort of thing.
(fyi, this is a "real" story. debate the merits of the iphone vs the helio. This site's never been about fan-boy-ism, as much as enthusiasm about apple products. despite what people think, this is not an ad, the timing is not about pettiness, maybe a little bit of humor, and a few other reasons mixed in)
arn
So basically you are bitter about not being invited to the event. PS I caught on to this in a previous post today. My suggestion is to get over it. This is not what macrumors should be about....this is the FRONT PAGE for @#$% sake.
I wouldn't buy a Helio because if enough people make a stink or spam Apple's feature request line about "iPhone doesn't have feature *" then Apple can just release a software update and enable IM or video recording or whatever else the people want. Heck, someone could just hack the iPhone and write an app for that feature.
3G or any hardware special thing can be a dock connected or Bluetooth thing. As in:
"If you want 3G you can get a dock-connected self-powered 3G modem and go to town. Don't blame us if the modem dies before the iPhone does."
I don't see the big deal since everyone knows Wifi is fast enough for reading a webpage. And for people who can't get off the Internet ... take a break for once and immerse yourself in Real Life.
3G or any hardware special thing can be a dock connected or Bluetooth thing. As in:
"If you want 3G you can get a dock-connected self-powered 3G modem and go to town. Don't blame us if the modem dies before the iPhone does."
I don't see the big deal since everyone knows Wifi is fast enough for reading a webpage. And for people who can't get off the Internet ... take a break for once and immerse yourself in Real Life.
I remember a month ago when Helio was going to charge members to access YouTube (even after paying for a "no strings attached" unlimited internet thing). It took all the pissed off Helio users to make them change that.
Oh, and for the record, it is a f#%$ng phone company and it is a f*$@ing phone.
Oh, and for the record, it is a f#%$ng phone company and it is a f*$@ing phone.
GPS support
Agreed in full, however, it has one thing that is missing from iPhone, GPS. considering that Google maps is somewhat integrated with the iPhone (remember the coffee order Steve Jobs made at the first public demonstration of the iPhone) it would be great if the phone could actually guide you there too.
Video is something I personally do not care about so much, it would be a nice extra, but GPS could greatly enhance the functionality of the iPhone.
Agreed in full, however, it has one thing that is missing from iPhone, GPS. considering that Google maps is somewhat integrated with the iPhone (remember the coffee order Steve Jobs made at the first public demonstration of the iPhone) it would be great if the phone could actually guide you there too.
Video is something I personally do not care about so much, it would be a nice extra, but GPS could greatly enhance the functionality of the iPhone.
Extremely dissappointed at this item appearing on the front page. Sure, no money changed hands, but it reads like an advert. And while Macrumors isn't Apple's monkey, I thought it supported Apple because the people behind it (and us) LIKE Apple. Why give space to a strange bit of competition?
OK, Macrumors wasn't invited to the event today, but as people have said, it's an unofficial rumours site. Why would they be invited? Having said that, I don't see how this "news" item is a dig at Apple or a subtle bit of "Macrumors is miffed at not being invited", because as I said I don't think anyone would think Macrumors would be anyway.
Whatever the reasons, unfortunately my opinion of Macrumors has decreased somewhat today. It's still the best Mac site around with the best forum, but this piece is the first serious misjudgement.
OK, Macrumors wasn't invited to the event today, but as people have said, it's an unofficial rumours site. Why would they be invited? Having said that, I don't see how this "news" item is a dig at Apple or a subtle bit of "Macrumors is miffed at not being invited", because as I said I don't think anyone would think Macrumors would be anyway.
Whatever the reasons, unfortunately my opinion of Macrumors has decreased somewhat today. It's still the best Mac site around with the best forum, but this piece is the first serious misjudgement.
People are being stupid. As someone whos been reading this site for a long time its pretty obvious arn isn't serious.
How dare apple turn a blind eye towards arn! i say post more alternatives... bring the machine down!
How dare apple turn a blind eye towards arn! i say post more alternatives... bring the machine down!
Stop. Just stop right there, because you're wrong on multiple points.
First, 3G coverage is available for most of the population. Yes, most of us Americanos live in cities where 3G is available.
Second, if you happen to be one of those few unlucky people who doesn't have 3G coverage, you still have 1x coverage - which is itself comparable to EDGE in throughput and has lower latency.
In addition, Helio operates using Sprint, Verizon and Alltel's network infrastructure to deliver all that coverage - and doesn't charge for roaming, Try matching that with AT&T.
As for your comment about CDMA EV-DO (a technologically superior code-division service) to GSM/EDGE (a slower time-devision service with all the corresponding drawbacks like dropped calls, poor voice quality)... whatever. I guess that's why all the GSM providers are using W-CDMA (CDMA EV-DO's little brother) for their network upgrades, huh?
arn's ticked off because he wasn't invited to the Stevenote so he's doing this.
Just an opinion..
That is the first thing I thought as well.
This article has no place on Macrumors whatsoever. It is not a rumor, and has nothing to do with Mac or Apple.
That is a useless phone. Check out what Japan or the UK have in terms of cell phones. The Nokia N95 is selling well at the moment. 5MP camera, GPS and a good browsing experience. USA still suck in terms of phones.
I used to think like this, but the iPhone just doesn't kick it for me any more. I was very excited at first, but now I couldn't care less about it. Give it 3G and a 3MP camera at least and GPS, then I will snap one up.
As for girls. I might not want to get an iPhone because every other bugger is going to have one and I like to be different. Think different, everyone: Get and iPhone! hmmm...?
Sony Ericsson have some seriously amazing phones coming out soon - to all networks in the UK. They really do fight the iPhone. The only things the iPhone has are multi-touch and a 'large screen' to watch videos on. But we can't buy videos on itunes in the UK. So the mass market won't know what to do with it until that happens. Not only that, but when the hell am I going to watch a video on a 3.5" screen? Bus? Don't use one. Train/plane .... MacBook please!
I used to think like this, but the iPhone just doesn't kick it for me any more. I was very excited at first, but now I couldn't care less about it. Give it 3G and a 3MP camera at least and GPS, then I will snap one up.
As for girls. I might not want to get an iPhone because every other bugger is going to have one and I like to be different. Think different, everyone: Get and iPhone! hmmm...?
Sony Ericsson have some seriously amazing phones coming out soon - to all networks in the UK. They really do fight the iPhone. The only things the iPhone has are multi-touch and a 'large screen' to watch videos on. But we can't buy videos on itunes in the UK. So the mass market won't know what to do with it until that happens. Not only that, but when the hell am I going to watch a video on a 3.5" screen? Bus? Don't use one. Train/plane .... MacBook please!
Agreed. Slightly annoying to comment on a sh*tty phone on Macrumors. I would go to many, many other forums to waste my time talking about phones.
This is where I waste my time talking about Macs.
I posted this phone, specs and comparison weeks ago in the iPhone forum. Hardly breaking news !
