Pantech Matrix Dual Sliding Phone Has More Buttons Than Sense

Formed from the same genetic ooze as Pantech's Slide Duo smartphone and rebranded Helio Ocean handset, the Matrix is a mildly frustrating device: spec'd with the best, but dressed in the worst. An HSDPA-enabled handset with GPS, a full QWERTY keyboard in addition to a dialpad, and two cameras should have the software to leverage the hardware, but AT&T and Pantech have chosen to stick with an in-house OS rather than opt for Windows Mobile as they did with the Duo QWERTY smartphone. Still, it doesn't look like a bad feature phone for people who message more than they talk, and it's available today at AT&T stores. [Crave]

Helio Offers Unlimited Service for $99/Month, Refurbed Ocean for $99

Good news for people thinking of picking up a Helio Ocean: Helio has lowered its rates for its all-in plans, giving you all-you-can-eat service for $99 a month. It's also starting to offer refurbished phones through the Helio Refreshed service, with the Ocean now available refurbed for a mere $99. That's a pretty awesome deal for one of our favorite phones seeing it lists for $295 new. [Helio via Electronista]

AT&T's Dual-Sliding Pantech Duo In the Wild

The Pantech Duo, seen previously as the Helio Ocean, has just been spotted in the wild by a tipster. He takes some sample shots next to his V3xx RAZR, which should give you a good idea of how large it is in comparison. If it's as thick as the Ocean, prepare to be either appalled or flattered when your friends comment on your third testicle. [Update, added side shot] More »

Sizemodo: Helio Fin vs. Ocean vs. iPhone vs. HTC Touch

Here's how the Helio Fin, the thinnest clamshell in the US, stacks up against other equally thin phones. As you can see, it's pretty much the same thickness as the iPhone, which is amazing since the Fin actually flips open. It's slightly thinner than the HTC Touch, and is dwarfed by the bulge-tastic Helio Ocean. More Sizemodo after the jump. More »

Custom Apps Now Possible on Helio Ocean (Opera Mini)

Not only is the iPhone getting its third-party cherry popped, the Helio Ocean is now running third-party apps now as well. The first proof of concept app is Opera Mini, the smallish browser from Opera that lets even lousy phones browse like a star. To get it to work on your Ocean (even though the default Ocean browser is just fine for us), just follow the directions on Heliocity. After you're done, you may want to check to see how you can support them to get even cooler apps on the Ocean. [Heliocity]

Helio Adds YouTube Features, New MySpace App

We told you the YouTube on Helio's 3G was free now, but they've gone and added a couple more features to it since Monday. First, Helio users can record videos on their Oceans and upload them to Helio Album. Why's that cool? Because if you configure your Helio Album correctly, it can push those videos to YouTube and Flickr (for pictures, we're assuming). More »

Helio's 3G YouTube Access Now Free

Helio originally wanted to charge a few bucks a month for YouTube, but in response to the iPhone's free access, they're doing it free, too. And that's over 3G, so it'll be fast where ever you have EVDO coverage. See? One-up-manship can be beneficial for all. Oh, did I mention that you can upload your Helio vids to YouTube? It ain't the slickest phone out there, but it sure has legs.

Helio Ocean: Do You Use the Keyboard or Dialpad?

We've got a bet going here about the Helio Ocean. I say Lam's a weirdo because he uses the numbers on the QWERTY keyboard to dial, and Lam says I'm a weirdo because I use the dialpad (the numbers) to dial. Both of us use the quick-lookup contacts from the start screen. More »

Helio Ocean: The Cake

Our female-fearing cousins over at Kotaku are familiar with cakes made in the shape of their favorite things (games), but we don't often get the pleasure of eating our own gadgets. That's why this Helio Ocean cake made by a geeksugar reader is so sweet (heh). More »

Fat Joe Reviews the Helio Ocean

What has the world come to? Why is Fat Joe trying to do our job and review the Helio Ocean? We're not going out and mackin' on the ladies and rapping it up. C'mon Fat Joe, stick to what you know! Wide scrizzle fo life. – Jason Chen More »

Ten Takes on the Helio Ocean

After scoring a few units of our own to play with, we talked about the Helio Ocean a ton last week—eventually posting an extensive features review that shouldn't be missed by anyone seriously considering a smartphone. More »

Helio Ocean Roundup: All The Hot Details in One Place

If you were around last week, you saw that we got ourselves a fever for the Helio Ocean and we covered the silly out of that thing. If you want to go back and see what all the fuss was about, this is the place to find it. We've got everything you could want to know about the phonedevice that Gizmodo readers prefer to the iPhone. Walk with me. More »

Helio Ocean Available Today, Friday May 11

Hey folks, just a quick note to let you guys know that the Ocean is going to be available today, Friday, May 11. You can get one by going to helio.com, calling 1-888-88-HELIO, or going to one of their retail stores in Santa Monica, Palo Alto, San Diego, Denver or NYC. More »

How to Sync Your Contacts with the Ocean

The Helio Ocean is an emailing machine, allowing you to manage a whole slew of email accounts at once. Also, Helio, unsurprisingly, would love it if you stocked up on their phones. You know, if you grabbed an Ocean for going to work and a Heat for going out at night. But what about loading your contacts up on it? Won't that take forever by hand? And what about keeping your contact info synced up between multiple devices? You don't want to have to re-enter every new number you get, do you? More »

Helio Ocean Core Features and Hands-on Impressions

We've had the Helio Ocean for a few hours now, so we thought it'd be a good time to go over the core features and answer a few of your questions while we were at it. More »

AdWatch: Helio Ocean's Robotic Birth

Speaking of the Helio Ocean (which is actually barely edging out Apple's iPhone in our poll earlier today), we've got a new ad they're running for the Ocean's TV campaign. We don't want to describe the entire video to you here—because where's the fun, or the point in that—but it does remind us of that Bjork video from a few years back with the robots making out. Except there are no robots making out. Or committing suicide. – Jason Chen More »

Helio Ocean Coming May 21st?

Helio's iPhone-trouncing Ocean may be available for purchase as soon as May 21st, which is a mere two weeks away. Over at the Boy Genius Report they claim that a tipster says that everything is lined up for a "general release on May 21st and a limited/internal/partner release 5-8 [days] prior." Hey, that's really soon! Awesome! More »

Helio Ocean Video Walkthrough

Craving some more one-on-one time with Helio's new dual slider? The guys at PhoneScoop got an in-depth video of Helio's Ocean including a look at the phone's features and interface. The new Web browser (which lets you view full Web pages) looks especially cool. Combine that with their all you can eat EV-DO/text messaging plan and the Ocean looks like a nice option for the Net-addicted. – Louis Ramirez More »

Helio Ocean Gallery and Video: Every Friggin Detail, Right Here

Now that I've seen it, what can I say about the Helio Ocean? For starters, its not as huge as I thought it would be with the triple layer of LCD, 9-key, and QWERTY. It's nice, with a lot more functionality than a Sidekick III (never mind the 3G network access), but I wouldn't call it as stylish, not even next to Helio's other handsets. It has the buddy finding, a new browser, and a nice dual sliding setup. For more impressions check out John Biggs' post at crunchgear.com, and for lots of videos, keep an eye on Vincent Nguyen's slashgear.com. More »