Helio's first dedicated store opens its doors

Say you're in the market for a Helio device; perhaps a Hybrid data card or that hot new Drift all the kiddies are talking about. Could you get it from some third-party wireless outlet or Helio's online store? Sure, of course you could, but where we come from, we go big or we go home. Helio's Santa Monica flagship store has just opened its doors, and the MVNO is hoping would-be members (and current members alike) drop by to buy their next Helio device -- or, in the words of Helio honcho Sky Dayton himself, "cruise by to meet up or just hang out with friends." If Santa Monica is a bit out of the way, look for San Diego, Palo Alto, and Denver to flip their switches by year's end with New York following in early '07.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 21st 2006 11:32PM]

I have yet to actually see a Helio in person, but the concept is definitely neat.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 22nd 2006 11:53AM]

A whole store to show off 2 phones and 1 data card?

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 22nd 2006 1:10PM]

I remember when affordable data rates and WM5 phones were part of the Helio plan, and then they launched and went after the myspace crowd for shame.

Is this the first MVNO with a B&M store?

[Justin Ried Posted Nov 22nd 2006 2:10PM]

Yep, this is the first B&M store from an MVNO. Helio has said that power users will be addressed as the product portfolio expands - Drift adding Bluetooth and GPS-enabled apps for starters.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 22nd 2006 4:11PM]

Any chance of a Helio phone with tethering capability or, even better, bluetooth tethering? Any way to do so with the Drift? (maybe not with the hybrid card being pushed) Anyone used the Drift?

Justin mentions the product portfolio expanding, targeting power users. Does that mean a smartphone or blackberry type product is on the way? (I suppose the Drift is _kind_ of blackberry like, from what I know about it.)

Yeah, a lot of questions.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 23rd 2006 2:23AM]

Er, is it me or does it look like the guy in the picture has a sword on the back of his pants?

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 24th 2006 3:56PM]

cool

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 9th 2007 2:24AM]

i am interested in weather this thing will bluetooth tether.

i know it has bluetooth, but don't know if we can use the connection.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 27th 2007 12:18AM]

WARNING--STAY AWAY from Helio unless you're a masochist, read on:

http://hubpages.com/hub/My-Helio-Nightmare