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iPhone Alternative: Helio Ocean
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I don't know what is more ridiculous, the look or the name "Ocean"
Where do they come up with these losers?
Where do they come up with these losers?
If it doesn't have a really effective mult-touch human interface and Mac OS X (mobile) operating system (or one as user friendly) then it's not an iPhone alternative - infact there isn't one and probably won't be one.
That said there will be 100's of phones trying hard to be as attractive to use as the iPhone and that's not a bad thing - becuase the iPhone will do well in any comparison where it is unique and those areas which might need a tweak or a new option can be added any time!
Apple need to open up sooner rather than later for hardware and software developers.
I'm rating this Ocean thingy a positive - flattery to the iPhone!
That said there will be 100's of phones trying hard to be as attractive to use as the iPhone and that's not a bad thing - becuase the iPhone will do well in any comparison where it is unique and those areas which might need a tweak or a new option can be added any time!
Apple need to open up sooner rather than later for hardware and software developers.
I'm rating this Ocean thingy a positive - flattery to the iPhone!
O NOES!!!!11onene! Arn actually has a personality and can make a joke which is not understood by 80% of the mac community on this site.
Calm down everyone. Open your minds, laugh at the humor of it, move on. Really, how many people did he dissuade from getting an iPhone and getting a Helio Ocean?
Calm down everyone. Open your minds, laugh at the humor of it, move on. Really, how many people did he dissuade from getting an iPhone and getting a Helio Ocean?
Actually, I'm glad Arn posted this. I think the iPhone is ... neat, but I'd never buy one. Way to expensive. Has lots of features, but missing some key ones for me, and has features that I'm not sure I would ever use. I don't really need a PDA, mobile web browser, or any of that. I need fast access to email, a basic contact list, good phone signal, and battery life. The iPhone does all that, but it does a ton more, which adds to the expense but doesn't add any value, FOR ME. Also, GPS is something sorely missing from the iPhone. Plus, I HATE AT&T.
Also, wouldn't want to combine my iPod and cell phone because they have two completely different purposes and draining battery from one for the other is not acceptable to me. (One is a communication device, one an entertainment device. I wouldn't want to drain my phone battery by listening to my iPod).
I saw some commercials for the Ocean, looked pretty slick. Never read much about it after that though. This post got me over to their site where I could look at their service and products. The Ocean is still a bit pricey for a phone in my book, but not $500 at least. Their other phones offer the features I'm most interested in anyways - GPS and GMail integration are the top two things for me; unlimited data transfers, unlimited text, photo, and video messaging, basic web surfing are nice as well.
Their pricing for shared plans aren't bad either. Bit expensive for a single line, imo ($65 for 500 minutes and unlimited data) but you can add second lines for $10 each (which is cheap, since most other carriers make you get a $20 more expensive family plan before you can start adding $10 lines). In the end, unlimited data services and 500 minutes (which is all the wife and I use anyways, since most of our calls are either too each other or nights/weekends) is $75 for two phones. We pay $60 for 500 minutes with NO data features on Sprint (although we do get 7pm nights, which is great).
Anyways, the iPhone isn't for everyone, even Apple loving nerds like me. I'm glad to see some of the other options explored!
Also, wouldn't want to combine my iPod and cell phone because they have two completely different purposes and draining battery from one for the other is not acceptable to me. (One is a communication device, one an entertainment device. I wouldn't want to drain my phone battery by listening to my iPod).
I saw some commercials for the Ocean, looked pretty slick. Never read much about it after that though. This post got me over to their site where I could look at their service and products. The Ocean is still a bit pricey for a phone in my book, but not $500 at least. Their other phones offer the features I'm most interested in anyways - GPS and GMail integration are the top two things for me; unlimited data transfers, unlimited text, photo, and video messaging, basic web surfing are nice as well.
Their pricing for shared plans aren't bad either. Bit expensive for a single line, imo ($65 for 500 minutes and unlimited data) but you can add second lines for $10 each (which is cheap, since most other carriers make you get a $20 more expensive family plan before you can start adding $10 lines). In the end, unlimited data services and 500 minutes (which is all the wife and I use anyways, since most of our calls are either too each other or nights/weekends) is $75 for two phones. We pay $60 for 500 minutes with NO data features on Sprint (although we do get 7pm nights, which is great).
Anyways, the iPhone isn't for everyone, even Apple loving nerds like me. I'm glad to see some of the other options explored!
I have Sprint right now and I get the best signal/coverage of anyone I know. I get GOOD signal places where other companies get NOTHING, as well as all the places everything else works. The sound quality for calls is good, no worse than a normal phone. Point being that cell coverage is HIGHLY geographic. Before you make blanket statements about a particular companies coverage/service you should consider the location of the person you're talking to (in this case, a public forum with users worldwide).
Um, if it has OSX Mobile then it is an iPhone. The Ocean and any other smartphone are alternatives. Alternatives aren't meant to be identical, they're meant to be different but do the same
International coverage.
The few people I know that use Helio love it. I looked into it for myself. I needed a phone that offering good International coverage.
Helio does offer good service/ $ rates for Central and South America, parts of Asia, and the USA. BUT.... it had VERY BAD COVERAGE / roaming rates in Europe.
The few people I know that use Helio love it. I looked into it for myself. I needed a phone that offering good International coverage.
Helio does offer good service/ $ rates for Central and South America, parts of Asia, and the USA. BUT.... it had VERY BAD COVERAGE / roaming rates in Europe.
Calling the Ocean an alternative to the iPhone is like saying ground beef substitutes for filet mignon. Actually, it's not even that close.
GSM or CDMA?
Obviously Helio is an MNVO, but with whom? What network does it use? If it works overseas, it's probably a GSM phone, which would make them an MNVO with T-Mobile (since they're bashing AT&T)...
Anyone know for sure?
Obviously Helio is an MNVO, but with whom? What network does it use? If it works overseas, it's probably a GSM phone, which would make them an MNVO with T-Mobile (since they're bashing AT&T)...
Anyone know for sure?
Yeah, the iPhone is the ground beef
Sprint
Yep...it's CDMA. So no coverage in Europe. No unlocked SIM cards. None of that good stuff. That's why I only use GSM
ME!! And now it's in my head and it's too late!
My only hope is too start a multiday glue-sniffing binge to try and kill whichever brain cell this memory is stored on!!
I was shocked this morning to see this post. My first impression was that someone was feeling a bit miffed about not being invited to today's Media Event. Maybe this would have been better placed in the MacBytes area? Especially in light of today's REAL news. But there again, I'm not a MacRumors editor. Good god, one hour and eight minutes 'til...
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
the Ocean article
This is MacRumors way of saying" F.. you Apple for not inviting us to todays event..."
This is MacRumors way of saying" F.. you Apple for not inviting us to todays event..."
Gee, that screen looks small, I don't see that on their chart. How abotu dimensions, I don't see that either. Can I zoom in on webpages with a tap? Nope. Can I scroll using my finger? Nope. But it's a full blown ipod with video and MP3's right? Nope. Oh oh, but it must have WiFi tho right? Nope. I'm sure they can have a conference call of 5 peolle right? Who knows, that's not posted. It does full calendaring and contact integration? Again, who knows!?? "Only Ocean has the Ultimate Inbox, where your email, text, picture and Instant messages are located all in one place and are just a touch away." What a ****** idea. That's what I need, one friggin place for everything and me not being able to find certain messages when I need to reference them.
Seems like you get what you pay for. If you are 15 and want a brick to talk with your script kiddie buddies on MySpace and AIM, then that Ocean looks like the body of water for you. For me who wants more iPod functions, beautiful browsing experience in a device that fits nicely in my front pocket along with Apple's reputation for seamless integration of hardware/software, the iPhone is it for me.
Seems like you get what you pay for. If you are 15 and want a brick to talk with your script kiddie buddies on MySpace and AIM, then that Ocean looks like the body of water for you. For me who wants more iPod functions, beautiful browsing experience in a device that fits nicely in my front pocket along with Apple's reputation for seamless integration of hardware/software, the iPhone is it for me.
ALOT of phones sound better on paper than the iPhone... no one will argue that I think. I previously had the XV6700. It can do basically everything the iphone can do, PLUS 3G, record video, camera flash, expandable memory, removable battery, 3rd party apps... and I can keep going.
Would I trade in my iPhone to go back? NO WAY!!! It's hard for me to explain what makes an iPhone superior, because people don't understand it when I simply say, "The iPhone does what it does 'The Right Way'."
- The XV6700 can play music & videos, but I never used it in that way. Because it didn't have a compatible program like iTunes to make syncing simple. The usability of the player is horrible. And the battery life never enabled me to finish watching a 2 hour movie.
- The XV6700 had a camera flash. But seriously, it's just a tiny lamp that made no difference what so ever. Unless the subject is no farther than 6 inches away, the flash has no effect.
- The XV6700 had a removable battery because you HAVE to change batteries constantly. I can pound my iphone for a whole day, knowing that the battery won't die (before I charge it again when I go to sleep). With my previous phone, I ONLY enabled wifi & bluetooth when I needed it. I put my gmail sync to manual mode. And I disabled the vibrate ring. All in effort to make sure my battery will survive the day.
- Should I even have to write down the internet browser comparisons? Lets just say I no longer have to bring my macbook wherever I go anymore.
I never used the Helio Ocean... but I'm just voicing my opinion on "paper comparisons" against the iPhone. I've been hearing alot of people trash the iphone based on a features list... but you really have to use it to appreciate it.
Would I trade in my iPhone to go back? NO WAY!!! It's hard for me to explain what makes an iPhone superior, because people don't understand it when I simply say, "The iPhone does what it does 'The Right Way'."
- The XV6700 can play music & videos, but I never used it in that way. Because it didn't have a compatible program like iTunes to make syncing simple. The usability of the player is horrible. And the battery life never enabled me to finish watching a 2 hour movie.
- The XV6700 had a camera flash. But seriously, it's just a tiny lamp that made no difference what so ever. Unless the subject is no farther than 6 inches away, the flash has no effect.
- The XV6700 had a removable battery because you HAVE to change batteries constantly. I can pound my iphone for a whole day, knowing that the battery won't die (before I charge it again when I go to sleep). With my previous phone, I ONLY enabled wifi & bluetooth when I needed it. I put my gmail sync to manual mode. And I disabled the vibrate ring. All in effort to make sure my battery will survive the day.
- Should I even have to write down the internet browser comparisons? Lets just say I no longer have to bring my macbook wherever I go anymore.
I never used the Helio Ocean... but I'm just voicing my opinion on "paper comparisons" against the iPhone. I've been hearing alot of people trash the iphone based on a features list... but you really have to use it to appreciate it.
I seldom read or post to the forums, but I am am a regular MacRumors reader.
For what its worth, I don't really care whether this is:
A. An ad.
B. A joke.
C. Some kind of petty retribution against Apple.
D. A "new direction" for MacRumors.
Because really, I don't want to see any of those things on my Mac news site of choice. I think I'll be getting my event coverage today from another site, thank you.
For what its worth, I don't really care whether this is:
A. An ad.
B. A joke.
C. Some kind of petty retribution against Apple.
D. A "new direction" for MacRumors.
Because really, I don't want to see any of those things on my Mac news site of choice. I think I'll be getting my event coverage today from another site, thank you.
Everyone is right here.. I come here to get apple news and rumors. No mater how cool or interesting the other phone looks, it is not an apple news and I don't want to see it here. There is lots of other sites for this sort of news and I can get it from there. This phone looks very ugly and you can't even compare it with my cool iphone. I want this to be removed from this site.
Wow... open up your mind. Whoever wrote the Helio Ocean piece is being fair and trying to bring new conversation to the boring old iPhone stories.
Now, if it were the Microsoft Ocean, I would have a significantly different view.
My Take
Honestly Arn, I'm glad you're not going to the event.
I love MacRumors because I know I can come here and read unbiased, legitimate concerns/reviews/rumors about all that's happening in Cupertino.
So in some little strange way, I think this site just went up a few notches in my book. It's good to know Apple doesn't have you by the belt or give you reason to sway any reviews or things of that nature.
But...I can certainly see why you'd be a bit jaded. I know if I had a website devoted to the Mac community at large, and Apple shut me out of a 'media' event, I'd be asking myself "What am I doing all this for?"
I guess it all comes down to what you want to get out of this site.
My guess is Apple takes those other guys seriously, for whatever reason.
As for me, I'm happy right here on MacRumors.com.
Keep up the good work.
Honestly Arn, I'm glad you're not going to the event.
I love MacRumors because I know I can come here and read unbiased, legitimate concerns/reviews/rumors about all that's happening in Cupertino.
So in some little strange way, I think this site just went up a few notches in my book. It's good to know Apple doesn't have you by the belt or give you reason to sway any reviews or things of that nature.
But...I can certainly see why you'd be a bit jaded. I know if I had a website devoted to the Mac community at large, and Apple shut me out of a 'media' event, I'd be asking myself "What am I doing all this for?"
I guess it all comes down to what you want to get out of this site.
My guess is Apple takes those other guys seriously, for whatever reason.
As for me, I'm happy right here on MacRumors.com.
Keep up the good work.
Puttering around the site, I found a few answers to your questions:
iPhone = 480x320 IIRC.
I know where you're going with this, but in response to a message seething with so much sarcasm, I gotta be pedantic.
MP3, AAC, WMA, MPEG-4, H.264, VOD, MOD
Mind you, with 200 MB of internal storage, you'll need to use memory cards to store any significant amount of content.
Display – 2.4 inch QVGA display, 240 x 320, 260K colors
iPhone = 480x320 IIRC.
I cannot imagine that they would have designed the controls to be manipulated using any other appendage
I know where you're going with this, but in response to a message seething with so much sarcasm, I gotta be pedantic.Personal Entertainment Center – Supports:
MP3, AAC, WMA, MPEG-4, H.264, VOD, MOD
Mind you, with 200 MB of internal storage, you'll need to use memory cards to store any significant amount of content.
Come on now, Canuckistan? Any backwater former Soviet republic has better mobile service options than Canada.
Sadly, how true. So sad .... in the analogue days Canada had one of the better networks in the world, too bad so much investment just went down the drain.
Oh yeah, some 'competition' would help too.
I love it when cranky fanboys get all upset and pee their pants! I think lots of prospective iPhone buyers have compared (even if only passively) other smart phones like the Ocean.
I love it even more when fanboys like gxnixon LIE and state they're boycotting such and such a site .... when they OBVIOUSLY check ALL the major sites on an annoucement date like today.