Helio pits Apple's iPhone against Ocean

Let's face it, the comparisons between (insert phone here) and Apple's handset began long ago, and now that the thing is actually in customers' hands, the potshots are likely to start flying at mach speed. Enter Helio, who has already felt it necessary to create a comparison chart essentially showing off the areas in which the Ocean is stronger (or at least more attractive) than the iPhone. Quite frankly, the chart does make a few good points, most notably around the iPhone's lack of GPS, strangely omitted MMS ability, and the obligatory removable battery; of course, we personally aren't offended nor joyous about "MySpace integration," but we suppose it could sway some folks tweens one way or another. We know you're anxious to see just what Helio has to say about the strong competition, and while the chart doesn't seem quite as hostile as the apparently bitter Helio salesman we ran into earlier today, be sure to give it a read after the break.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 30th 2007 8:37AM]

I was pretty close to buying an Ocean, but there is one HUGE problem - it cannot sync up calendars. Can you imagine having to retype everything in it?

I wouldn't consider it. too bad, because their rates are fantastic ($149 buys you unlimited everything including voice per month). I think the phone is pretty good too. It's a glaring omission to not fully support MS Office and other calendar programs. They're right up there with Palm in not thinking through everything. See my opinion of Palm's dismal planning: http://danmosqueda.blogspot.com/2007/05/palm-foleo-doa.html.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 30th 2007 9:13AM]

I suspect the iPhone is a bit thinner, which is quite important when you carry it around all day.

Personally I would go for the iPhone just for this reason, however I would like one with wireless syncing and 3rd party apps.

There's nothing else in the Helio that would sway me.

http://bla.st/iphone/

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 30th 2007 9:41AM]

Wi-fi? They don't mention it, although I guess 3G may be sufficient. And I think that "Full HTML" is a total lie, one that they are opening themselves up to liability for.

Again, it is a total comparison of hardware features, when the iPhone is really about the software. It just shows that, like the iPod, nobody else gets it or is willing to spend the time getting it right. I mean it is now how many years, and the other MP3 players still often have interface flaws.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 30th 2007 10:19AM]

I owned the Ocean...and quite frankly was disappointed. Movies played choppy no matter what settings you converted them to, the HTML is actually Googlized for Mobiles(you can work around it, but why should I have to?), and you cant play music while doing other functions on the phone... Oh yeah, you need to type an IM? Well you just closed your browser and the page you were reading to do it.. there is NO multitasking on that phone at all. I went back to my BB pearl, where the only draw back is the suretype, and that isnt that hard to master. The iPHONE it is not that great either... EDGE on a $600 phone? wtf?! Not happening for me folks...no matter how much you iPansies love apple products.....I cant see why you would want this revision.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 30th 2007 12:35PM]

I don't know of many phones that let you respond to IMs through the browser.

The sidekick3, which is KNOWN and repescted for the best aol app you can get, requires you to jump out of the browser to respond to IMs, even though there are shortcut combinations to get to it in just one click.

And the iphone can only im through the browser, I'm yet to see how iPhoneChat app works, but you'd have to switch windows to answer ims, I'd imagine. So that's even more inconvinient to an iPhone.

I think I'll get the Ocean 2 if Helio's still around.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 30th 2007 11:07AM]

I wanted the helio ocean when I saw it - the plans are better, there ius a gps, and 3G, but, the iphone is just slicker, sounds better and as far as its shortcomings go, you wont notice because the damn thing is just so damn cooler.

As for the ocean, google maps looks shitty on the small screen, and its slow as well rendering the actual maps. Even though the connection speed is faster, their video subsystem on the ocean lacks.

I would rather have a phone with less springs, and slideing things. You cant "play" with an ocean, you just use it.. the iphone is very WOW.

While the ocean does its job, this is a case where, the thing should have been larger, so it could be made thinner. all that functionality with a small screen sort of stinks.

Lastly, the iphone doesnt need a myspace app, because the broweser rocks. the one in the ocean needs it, because myspace on regular mobile browsers, and even any online community website, sucks. Simply, you need a better browser.

As with WinMo5, you wont see myspace or flicr apps being popular, they simply dont need it.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 30th 2007 12:07PM]

I also have to go with what PEZ says.

On paper that Helio Ocean is so much better than the iPhone is almost every way. Even if the specs are balanced for the Ocean. But which will sell better? I think the Ocean is nice and it should be more than sufficient to handle most people needs. So why will so many more people go and purchase the iPhone? Because it's probably a lot more fun to use. It's sleeker and it probably feels so much better in one's hands. They'll be plenty of accessories for the iPhone and maybe better support. There's just something about that iPhone interface that's pure dazzle and foolishly I'd go for the iPhone. I guess dazzle is hard to quantify. It defies logic or rationality. Go figure.

I can understand why iPhone haters would call me a fool and Apple fanboy, but I use WinXP and MS Office and both are very useful to me, yet I would still choose the iPhone over the Ocean.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 30th 2007 12:40PM]

If Apple made the Ocean, I'm sure the iPhone would be ignored much like the LG Prada and the ocean would be getting all the attention.

"The Helio iPhone doesn't even have 3g! Or IM! Next!"

Only a company like Apple would be forgiven for such huge flaws.

[derX Posted Jun 30th 2007 12:36PM]

...seems to me like Helio is doing the same thing Apple did in it's comparison to rival phones. I mean the hardware keyboard count is almost as pitiful to Apple's comparison of the displays' materials (i.e.: to highlight it's glass surface).

I just don't get these companies. Apple is MUCH more well-known than is Helio. This being the case, they should attempt to *gain* credibility; with such a one-sided comparison, it seems a little hinky. They failed to compare things the iPhone *pwns* the Ocean at: internal memory; the web browser; inclusion of WiFi [it's downplayed in the network comparision when I believe it should've been a separate column], etc...I completely understand *their objective* is to show the Ocean's superiority over the iPhone (if it exists, of course--which is highly subject to debate), but to be so overtly biased in omitting crucial details raises my eyebrow a bit.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 30th 2007 3:03PM]

I agree with Jonathan... It seems that once "iDay" came, people realized that the iPhone wasn't all it cracked up to be. Now people are making arguments based on, "it's sleeker", or "it's cooler". What people really mean is "Apple made it". And no, I'm not an Apple-Hater. I would take an iPod over any other mp3 player on the market.

Yes, looks matter, but the phones capabilities matter much more.. For $600+(Notice the plus, because there are accessories that you just HAVE to have.) you get basically a nice interfaced 8Gb?! iPod that answers calls.

I'm personally waiting until later because the 1st Gen at least will merely be a show off handset, it just doesn't have a practical everyday use. Apple has potentially a very great phone, but only when the focus shifts to the actual capabilities(aside from the iPod), should we talk about it as the "Jesus Phone"

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 30th 2007 5:23PM]

This is what we call benchmarketing, not benchmarking.

To me Helio isn't even close to iPhone. Their comparison chart totally avoided all other factors that iPhone is doing a much better job, like a large display, intuitive UI design, multi-touch, etc.

And, iPhone only has an "HTML browser" but Helio has a "full HTML browser"... Just don't get it.

[keithwwalker Posted Jun 30th 2007 6:37PM]

Helio doesn't get it, screen size is everything!

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 1st 2007 11:31AM]

You apple lemmings are just so funny. I don't care for the Helio phone either, but there is absolutely no way you'd get me to use an iphone. Try texting on that thing if you have large fingers, no keyboard is an issue. Everyone that's the apple fanboy is talking about the fact that the slow EDGE network doesn't mean anything because it has Wi-Fi. Well I guess as long as you're using it in a coffee shop, hotel or office to browse the web that's ok, but try using the phone to browse the web where you don't have a Wi-Fi signal, almost unusable. For a $600+ phone that's a huge oversight. Nice to not have to worry about that battery though, oh wait, if the battery does go out, which it will for hardcore users, and ends up dying all together, you get to send you cell phone away to have the battery replaced by apple, and should be able to get your phone back in about a week to 10 days. What?!?!
Hope you don't buy 2 Iphones and want a family plan and think you're going to get by on the cheap for the data plan on the 2nd phone, you get the family plan at the normal AT&T rate, which is ok, and that includes data on your first another $30 a month for the 2nd though. What happened to Jobs' promise of every iPhone plan including unlimited data and texting. Not there.
Iphone=overhyped, and way overpriced.