http://mobile.engadget.com/2006/11/10/helio-drift-hands-on/ Engadget Mobile Comments for Helio Drift hands-on http://mobile.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://mobile.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://mobile.engadget.com/2006/11/10/helio-drift-hands-on/http://mobile.engadget.com/2006/11/10/helio-drift-hands-on/http://www.osnews.com/ua.php and reply with its user agent you see in that page. This information is very important for mobile web developers like myself, in order to autodetect the phone in the future! Thanks!]]>Nov 10th 2006 3:06PMhttp://mobile.engadget.com/2006/11/10/helio-drift-hands-on/http://mobile.engadget.com/2006/11/10/helio-drift-hands-on/Nov 10th 2006 3:24PMhttp://mobile.engadget.com/2006/11/10/helio-drift-hands-on/http://mobile.engadget.com/2006/11/10/helio-drift-hands-on/
now if it only included those A2DP headphones...]]>Nov 10th 2006 3:26PMhttp://mobile.engadget.com/2006/11/10/helio-drift-hands-on/http://mobile.engadget.com/2006/11/10/helio-drift-hands-on/
Maybe next time.]]>Nov 11th 2006 3:35PMhttp://mobile.engadget.com/2006/11/10/helio-drift-hands-on/http://mobile.engadget.com/2006/11/10/helio-drift-hands-on/Nov 10th 2006 3:36PMhttp://mobile.engadget.com/2006/11/10/helio-drift-hands-on/http://mobile.engadget.com/2006/11/10/helio-drift-hands-on/
Makes more sense that it can't do a turn by turn because it doesn't have an antenna. Anyone?]]>Nov 10th 2006 3:54PMhttp://mobile.engadget.com/2006/11/10/helio-drift-hands-on/http://mobile.engadget.com/2006/11/10/helio-drift-hands-on/
RE: MuDoggy
The way I read the turn-by-turn comment above is that you can look up directions just as you can w/ Google, it just doesn't actively tell you "turn left/right" (nor will it take over the dog on your dash and have it point left or right) because it doesn't do live tracking (i'm guessing to save battery power as that feature would be a power hog).]]>Nov 10th 2006 4:06PMhttp://mobile.engadget.com/2006/11/10/helio-drift-hands-on/http://mobile.engadget.com/2006/11/10/helio-drift-hands-on/Nov 10th 2006 5:05PMhttp://mobile.engadget.com/2006/11/10/helio-drift-hands-on/http://mobile.engadget.com/2006/11/10/helio-drift-hands-on/Nov 10th 2006 5:26PMhttp://mobile.engadget.com/2006/11/10/helio-drift-hands-on/http://mobile.engadget.com/2006/11/10/helio-drift-hands-on/Nov 11th 2006 9:46AMhttp://mobile.engadget.com/2006/11/10/helio-drift-hands-on/http://mobile.engadget.com/2006/11/10/helio-drift-hands-on/Nov 11th 2006 2:18AMhttp://mobile.engadget.com/2006/11/10/helio-drift-hands-on/http://mobile.engadget.com/2006/11/10/helio-drift-hands-on/Nov 11th 2006 6:35AMhttp://mobile.engadget.com/2006/11/10/helio-drift-hands-on/http://mobile.engadget.com/2006/11/10/helio-drift-hands-on/Nov 11th 2006 3:55PMhttp://mobile.engadget.com/2006/11/10/helio-drift-hands-on/http://mobile.engadget.com/2006/11/10/helio-drift-hands-on/
Helio only has one official store as far as I know, which is in Santa Monica. All the stores listed on the website are third party companies selling their phones. They are color coded, so you can immediately tell what type of store it is.]]>Nov 11th 2006 4:28PMhttp://mobile.engadget.com/2006/11/10/helio-drift-hands-on/http://mobile.engadget.com/2006/11/10/helio-drift-hands-on/
The good:
It's small.
Google maps + gps is REALLY fast and REALLY accurate
UI can be pretty at times, but not always configurable.
Great coverage from the piggy back off Sprint and Verizon.
Don't have to worry about overage fees because everything is included and unlimited.
Camera is really nice for a cell phone.
Lots of built in memory, and microSD for expandability

The Bad:
UI can be a bit slow at times.
Battery life sucks.
Can't install Opera Mini (worse because the built in browser SUCKS)
Can't install Gmail app for mobile
Can't use m.gmail.com (gmail for mobile devices, when I asked by email, all they said is that its not supported)
The slot covers on the side are flimsy and will probably get broken off if you aren't careful
Cable connection is proprietary, and phone doesnt charge over the included usb cable.
headphone jack is smaller than regular headphone plugs, so you have to use the included, or get an adapter.
UI can be a pain at times, and no options to change somethings... examples??
Process for sending a txt:
1 Menu
2 Write a txt
3
3a T9Word is the default option, and you cant change the default. abc mode is of course the last option in the list when you go through them, AFTER korean even...
4 click OK
5 type in recipients
5a you can't just choose from your contact list to send the message to. To use the list you have to do the following: Menu->search contacts->type in some letters->choose from the results->add to recipient list.
6 Send message.. finally

Yes, it really is that complicated. I believe the way they prefer you do it to save time is to choose a name from your contact list first, then choose to send them a txt, which is considerably easier.

The Ugly:
Buddy beacon uses mapquest and not google maps, why??
Dial mode uses very bright colors, which you can change.. to other bright or pastel colors. No option for white on black or anything even close.

Overall I think its a decent device, and most of my gripes are with the software, which they can change with a firmware update, of course. They do have a 30 day happiness guarantee, which is nice if you can't get past some of these things.
]]>Nov 22nd 2006 10:52AMhttp://mobile.engadget.com/2006/11/10/helio-drift-hands-on/http://mobile.engadget.com/2006/11/10/helio-drift-hands-on/
I like the features of the Drift, especially the Google Maps app, but not sure if I want to sacrifice shoddy design and crafstmanship just for the nifty applications.

Are there any other Drift owners noticing this? And, if so, have you tried to resolve the issue with Helio or Samsung directly?]]>Jan 8th 2007 8:19PMhttp://mobile.engadget.com/2006/11/10/helio-drift-hands-on/http://mobile.engadget.com/2006/11/10/helio-drift-hands-on/
The Drift needs the extended battery for anyone who actually makes phone calls. Standard battery is worthless. Add $50 to the cost of the phone for the better battery life.

Over all I really like the phone, Gmaps has already made me extremely pleased with the device. Flaky gmail support is very annoying, no Gmail App support is truely frustrating. Phone book, Mesg, and many other features on the phone are designed poorly for flow. Looks like it was designed by a artist with no concept of efficiency.

I am still happier with Helio compared to Verizon, but it's a shame that the phone has so much potential and stupid flaws make what should be and excellent product just average.

TomTom App support would be nice.]]>Jan 21st 2007 6:26AMhttp://mobile.engadget.com/2006/11/10/helio-drift-hands-on/http://mobile.engadget.com/2006/11/10/helio-drift-hands-on/If you really want to see the battery on your Drift die in a hurry, just take a trip out beyond the normal Cell service area (until an R displays next to your antenna icon), and watch the battery die in no time.

This will happen just sitting in your pocket (no talking, no BlueTooth, no Buddy-Beacon, no messaging).

I don't know if this is a design flaw or not, but the battery sure dies faster out "in the sticks".

I hope Helio decides to start selling these with the bigger battery.

droj]]>Jan 21st 2007 2:53PMhttp://mobile.engadget.com/2006/11/10/helio-drift-hands-on/http://mobile.engadget.com/2006/11/10/helio-drift-hands-on/Jun 17th 2007 12:13PMhttp://mobile.engadget.com/2006/11/10/helio-drift-hands-on/http://mobile.engadget.com/2006/11/10/helio-drift-hands-on/
I also have the exact same design flaw on my Helio Drift. It wasnt there when I opened the box but after a few minutes of playing with it I noticed the crack. Its no big deal but it does bother me a bit.]]>Feb 1st 2007 1:45AMhttp://mobile.engadget.com/2006/11/10/helio-drift-hands-on/http://mobile.engadget.com/2006/11/10/helio-drift-hands-on/
I am very happy with the Helio execpt the battery life! But something I'll have to live with!]]>Apr 20th 2007 7:39PM