Pantech Ocean Cell Phone
Earlier this year, Helio CEO Sky Dayton said that the Ocean is the phone he "dreamt of making" when he first took over as the MVNO's chief executive. The Helio-designed, Pantech-built Ocean has also been near the top of my - and every other phone reviewer's - "can't wait for it" list since it was announced. Featuring a unique dual-slider design affording dedicated QWERTY and dialing pads, a 2mp camera, media player, and messaging-centric features running over Sprint's 3G data network, Ocean looked ready to take the mobile phone world by storm.
Now that it's been available for a few weeks, “Ocean's” been put through the ringer by reviewers and users alike. Helio's motto is "don't call it a phone," and Ocean really brings that slogan to life more than any other Helio device. While it of course works just fine as a phone, Ocean would be overkill for the user interested primarily in voice calling - this device, coupled with the provider's "All In" unlimited data plans, is clearly meant for the always-connected IM and MySpace set. In fact, it reminds me of a T-Moble Sidekick, what with its chunky body and robust support for IM, Email, and Web services.
But is Ocean all it's been hyped up to be? After a few weeks with the device I can definitely say, "yes and no." In a nutshell, Ocean is feature rich and very fast, but also both clunkier and cheaper-feeling than I expected. While smaller than an Sidekick 3, Ocean's QWERTY pad is cramped, and in general I wish Helio had done away with some of the buttons in favor of a slimmer profile and/or larger screen. And the software is a little buggy and sort of does "everything pretty well" instead of "anything great." But Ocean is also feature-rich, user-friendly and - in a few places - quite innovative and smart.
So ... Is the Ocean for you? To answer that we must delve into the details ...
Helio's slogan for Ocean is "Shape Shifter," a reference to its signature dual-slider design. The handset is a candybar with three distinct layers: Display, Dialing, and QWERTY. Helio tapped Pantech to build the phone, but also retained separate engineers to custom design a triangular spring for the dual-sliding mechanism. Ocean is finished in black soft-touch plastic with silver trim. While the rubber-like finish is easy to grip, the device itself frankly isn't all that comfortable to hold. To be fair, since the Ocean fits into one hand (it's smaller than a Sidekick 3) I'm judging it against other candybar/slider phones instead of larger devices like the Sidekick 3 or Pocket PC phones, which I wouldn't really expect to be comfortably held and used one-handed.
Still, at 114mm x 56mm x 23mm and weighing 165g, Ocean looks and feels like a big, heavy candybar phone. It's weird - it's not long and wide enough to look like a smartphone, but doesn't have the "pleasant heft" I've come to associate with certain high-end phones like the Nokia N-Series or SE K790/800 models. Instead, Ocean has more of a cheap plastic feel to it. Some of that assessment is my personal sense of style rearing its head - I'm sure lots of people love the way Ocean looks and feels (and the matte finish is more smudge resistant than shiny plastic). One objective note, however, is that while the sliders are generally smooth and snap open and shut with assurance, they also have a bit of wobble to them if you press on the wrong edge while a layer is extended.
The topmost layer of the phone, which is always exposed, features a 2.4" display that works in both landscape and portrait orientations, depending on which keypad is in use. Held vertically, the screen is bordered by the earpiece and two softkeys on top and the microphone and navigational array - D-pad surrounded by two more softkeys, and dedicated Call, Hang Up, and Back buttons - below.
Sliding the top layer up vertically reveals the middle dialing layer. This layer is finished in silver and comprised of a standard 12-button numeric keypad. While I've heard a few folks complain about the slightly rounded shape of the dialing buttons, I found them quite roomy and comfortable to use.
Sliding the top layer to the right - or "up horizontally" - actually moves both the display and dialing layers to reveal the QWERTY layer. 34 of the 35 buttons in the QWERTY layout are finished in dark grey; the ALT key is bright orange, which makes it easy to spot and also kind of cool looking. The QWERTY keys are small ovals, save the space bar which is a double-width oval. During use, I found the QWERTY keys to be a bit cramped - specifically, the space bar is too small and the top row is too tightly bordered by the two upper layers of the device. My thumbs constantly pressed against the edge of the upper layers of the Ocean, which got to be uncomfortable when tapping out emails or navigating extended Web and IM sessions. It's not at all impossible to use, and the raised key design helps, but the keyboard is definitely smaller than what you'll find on a Sidekick or full-fledged smartphone like the Cingular 8525 or T-Mobile Wing.
Ocean's back panel has a centered battery cover flanked by cutouts for the rear-firing stereo speakers. Above the battery cover is the camera housing, which includes a flash assist light and self portrait mirror in addition to the sensor for the 2 megapixel shooter. Along the right side of the phone (when held vertically) are the microSD memory card slot and dedicated speakerphone and camera buttons. A headphone jack, volume up/down buttons and play, skip forward, and skip back media buttons are located along the left side. A rear-mounted port takes the included AC adapter and USB data cable.
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It was widely thought the day would come at some point, but it looks as if Virgin Mobile is shuttering the Helio brand name. Not only is the Pantech Ocean 2 no longer available on the website (oddly enough, it leaves the ancient Ocean as the only QWERTY device available), but the "Helio" moniker is gone from the devices, being replaced by the actual brand names. According to the screenshots of the phones (which we all know aren't... Q. I am looking at new phones and my problem is this: Which do you rate higher, the Helio Ocean or the Sprint instinct? (I'm not switching to another GSM network for other reasons, so iPhone is o-u-t) (I know Sprint and Helio use SK, so calling should be the same, right?)
Also, are there any other phones you'd recommend on Sprint that may be better than the Ocean (I'll be using it mainly for multimedia, email, web, txt,... Looks like the end is near for Helio and all you Helionauts, I'm sad to say. Ryan Block - the Editor in Chief of Engadget Ryan Block - just reported that Helio store managers are being notified that Virgin will be shuttering the doors on some, or possibly all, of Helio's retail outlets across the country as part of their takeover of the copmany. Furthermore it looks like Virgin will simply absorb all that is Helio, doing away with... At long last some news on the forthcoming sequel to Helio's flagship device: The Ocean 2, aka OZ2. The notable changes seem to be on the inside, as OZ2 rocks the same dual slider form factor as the original and looks to be more or less the same size, if a little more rounded and futuristic looking. Honestly, it's hard to tell from the sole photo that hit the Web over on Engadget Mobile.What's easier to get a read on are Ocean 2's... Normally I try to remain neutral about cellular carriers and equipment manufacturers, and keep my commentary to objective handset reviews and information regarding rate plans, new services, and such. But given my own recent experiences with Helio and the growing displeasure expressed by their customers around the Web, I felt compelled to mention this to any of you considering signing up with Helio: Helio's customer service is the... Earlier this year, Helio CEO Sky Dayton said that the Ocean is the phone he "dreamt of making" when he first took over as the MVNO's chief executive. The Helio-designed, Pantech-built Ocean has also been near the top of my - and every other phone reviewer's - "can't wait for it" list since it was announced. Featuring a unique dual-slider design affording dedicated QWERTY and dialing pads, a 2mp camera, media player, and... Pros: The overall design of the phone is great. The fact that you can check your email and even add an account to your email list if it is not one of the ones provided. The internet via Opera Mini is much faster than you would expect. The duel sliding motion of the phone makes the phone very easy to use. I also enjoy the scrolling option on the center button. It is so much easier to navigate through the different options and the web. Cons: The life of the battery gets drained if you surf the internet, so be sure to bring your charger with you. Since this is a new phone there are no plastic cases for protection. Also the phone is a little heavy. It does take some time to get used to. Summary: I've been a Helio customer now for almost two years. When I first signed up with Helio, I had the gold version of the Heat. Great phone but I was really waiting to upgrade to the Ocean. When I called customer service to upgrade to the Ocean after my first year of service, I was told if I held off for a couple of months I would get a great deal on the new Ocean 2. I then waited until the week of the Ocean 2 to debut and to my delight Helio (Virgin Mobile) rewared me with the new Ocean 2 for FREE. Of course the catch was that I had to pay for sales tax and shipping, but I gladly obliged. After about almost a month, I am impressed with this phone and its capabilities. Myself and my two other roommates have the Ocean (they have the Ocean 1 and I'm the only one with the Ocean 2) and we're the talk of the town. I couldn'thave asked for a better phone. I only wish it came in other colors, but I'm not complaining about the sleek red color and design. I am anxiously awaiting someone to come out with a screen protector and plastic case for the phone. Since it is slightly longer and wider than the Ocean 1 the cases available for the Ocean won't work with the Ocean 2. My only complaint is the battery life of the phone. However you can't expect to have everlasting battery life when you can call someone, email, text, make a posting on Facebook, view a Microsoft Word document in fileviewer and play guitar hero all on the same phone. Pros: IM/TEXT/DOWN LOADING MUSIC FROM P.C./ Cons: What speakerphone? Their RMA is faulty and will send you back worse than what you sent them to fix in the first place. Ex dust in screen, loose screw under battery and are quick to refer you to the Terms and conditions. Summary: I bought this phone because I wanted a companion while driving my bus. Bluetooth works ok(headset only) i was very disapointed to learn that the speaker quality is less than average. In fact customer service will have you send them your device promissing better quality only to send a referb back to you in a come as it is condition. GOOD-LUCK. Pros: Acess to email thru Yahoo, Google. MSN, AOL. Chatting thru Yahoo AOL, easy access to your own Helio web mail address. Dont have to call customer care (email them) Wap web browser from Helio, or HTML third party browser from Opera. Great for myspace, facebook, youtube, google, craigslist and more,round shape helps keep the device in your hands better than a square device. 3G web network, Great Individual plans/Family plans Cons: Freezes if you enter into a new area than what your used to (will do it once and then be used to it), not many bluetooth profiles, speakerphone almost non hearable, if sprint stinks in your area this might not be so great, but itll still work. Summary: Wow, a multi media power house meet business functionality. This M2D is not meant to be used primarily as a phone, but more of a media center for those who are on the road or for teens who are into posting pics and blogs :D or for business persons who do mostly texting or emailing. Having said that i love it! I can post a video to Youtube one minute and then surf the internet the next or check my bank account balance online, or check flights or what ever. I say that for those who dont like the Ocean, you used it for the wrong purpose. This is a completely functional device that is lots of fun! I hope u will find this review helpful Pros: Some but not any to brag about Cons: qwerty buttons tiny, freezes often, and very limited bluetooth! Summary: Don't be fooled by the hype that the ocean has around it its a mediocre phone and if your considering it you would be better off getting the instinct or something. With bluetooth you cant send or receive files only use headsets. 0 out of 1 people found this review helpful Pros: Couldn't find any Cons: Device & customer service Summary: I had 3 devices in 30 days. They would crash and the Heli techs could not solve the problem. The customer service is pathetic. They told me it takes up to 6 weeks to post payments, made it nearly impossible to get my number back and after 3 months I still don't have a refund. I do however have an FCC complaint!! 17 out of 33 people found this review helpful the n96 vs. iphone 3g might be pretty cooland you might be right about the sidekick release date noah i will check it with my friends at the store next to me who work for t mobilecheck out my site at touchhacker.com I second the iPhone 3G versus HTC Touch HD...also possibly versus N96? I would love an ocean vs iphone, don't think i've seen any helio reviews or fights at all. Though, since there seems to be so much interested in them, i think a touch HD vs Iphone would be the best fight. The touch HD is prolly the only phone that can seriously be taken as a iphone killer, i know its a tired phrase but a bigger screen / better camera/ browser (in my opinion) etc puts it up to par. Thats good to hear. but i think the ocean vs ocean 2 would be a good dogfight. i think they should have called the ocean 2 the ocean 1.5.I still think a good one would be the g1 vs the n96.I look foward to further dogfights. I have noticed that the space bar on the qwerty keypad is small, does it bother you? This might be a good time to go with Helio because the deposit amount is waived as part of a special limited time offer. You can find out more by going to the following link: http://www.heliobuy.com/h... [quote user="jkdog"]The Helio Ocean is a far better phone, but you have to make sure the service is available in your area. Helio is known for having poor customer service (long hold times).[/quote]How would I check that? I live in Portland, Oregon The Helio Ocean is a far better phone, but you have to make sure the service is available in your area. Helio is known for having poor customer service (long hold times).
Here is the link to Noah's review of the Ocean -> http://www.phonedog.com/c...
Click on the link below to compare them side to side :)
http://www.phonedog.com/c...
Good luck
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