Comments on: Updated: Helio Cuts 100 Jobs

By: Ripped off

Ripped off — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 16:37:56 +0000

Helio has literally the worst customer support ever, and makes the phone (which is great) not worth having. They lied to me and said they cancelled my account and refunded my charges after incompetently failing to port my number for three months and 25+ hours on the phone with them. Now I have debt collectors calling me saying I owe 400 dollars!

DONT SIGN A HELIO CONTRACT, you're signing away all hope.

By: Michelle

Michelle — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 17:05:23 +0000

What i dont get is why Helio is being compared to Boost or Virgin mobile since Helio is not a pre-pay system. Helio is contract and more and more i am seeing people with it. I have one i love it. Everyone i show falls in love with all of it features.... Helio may no be so heard of or popular but they sure as hell are starting to get out there. i laugh in the face of amp'd, boost and virgin mobile.... HAHAHHA

By: » Disney MVNO closes - Taking bets on Helio I’m Building Something Here: Experiments on Entrepreneurship and Value Creation in the Social Web

Fri, 28 Sep 2007 12:45:32 +0000

[...] . And so yesterday as the Disney MVNO announced it’s closing this comes as no surprise. Helio cut jobs a month ago, and lost one of its largest investors last week - so it looks like its just a matter a [...]

By: Dateline

Dateline — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 06:30:02 +0000

I work for Helio, I prefer to be called "mentally special" over incompetent. We'll last while we can but I'll probably end up working in a Pokemon factory in Korea to pay back SK for all that funding. There's probably that kind of clause my contract.

I've heard Korea is a beautiful place in the Spring...

By: Kajeet、トウィーン層をターゲットにしたMVNO$36.8M調達 » Mobile Venture News » Tracking Emmerging U.S. Mobile Technologies and Companies for the Japanese Investment Community.

Wed, 12 Sep 2007 00:46:30 +0000

[...] 最近のMVNO関連はAmp’dの会社更生法申請、Helioの100人規模の人員削減などの話題が目立ちました。それだけに、今回のKajeetの資金調達はちょっと意外な気もしました。 [...]

By: wirelessjunkie

wirelessjunkie — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 17:51:18 +0000

Let's not also forget the many other lawsuits like the screen patent infringement lawsuit. And the recent survey about how cumbersome the touchscreen QWERTY keyboard is...Don't knock what reputation can do to a company just entering into the wireless foray!

By: wirelessjunkie

wirelessjunkie — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 17:49:02 +0000

I agree that the Ocean is not a better phone but until Apple can justify the $500 to $600 for their iPhone w/o GPS and 3G network not to mention the battery issue/class action lawsuit , the iPhone will sit on the shelves for many more thousands of potential buyers!!!

By: Helio lays off about 100 employees, says sales are bullish | Gadget Guild

Helio lays off about 100 employees, says sales are bullish | Gadget Guild — Mon, 03 Sep 2007 04:36:00 +0000

[...] [Via GigaOM] [...]

By: Tech Referrals & Reviews » Helio lays off about 100 employees, says sales are bullish

Sun, 02 Sep 2007 02:22:27 +0000

[...] [Via GigaOM] [...]

By: Helio lays off 100 employees amidst strongest performance yet

Helio lays off 100 employees amidst strongest performance yet — Sat, 01 Sep 2007 17:41:19 +0000

[...] [Via: GigaOM] [...]

By: Helio lays off about 100 employees, says sales are bullish at RazorSharp iPods & Raw Gadgets

Sat, 01 Sep 2007 16:01:35 +0000

[...] [Via GigaOM] [...]

By: Dudley Bryan Jr.

Dudley Bryan Jr. — Sat, 01 Sep 2007 02:24:51 +0000

David, they don't have a "better" phone. They have a phone with more "features". The iPhone has much more quality and expandability. Just watch a video of anyone browsing the web on a Helio Ocean, and dare to call it a better phone. It's a terrible joke. A pre-school toy.

Whereas the iPhone's feature set will only grow over time (I won't go into the tri-fronts of web apps, Apple, and nascent 3rd party support), Helio runs its business at a loss in attempts to make its exhorbitant operating costs as an MVNO payoff by locking customers into its network and building a base.

Verizon's 3G network has its series of "gotchas". The most recent being the YouTube kerfluffel. Clearly allowing its users access to online video scared them, considering their underlying service fees through Verizon. Helio dropped its barriers when it started generating significant customer outrage (they're reputation is their most valuable asset). Just smells like total system failure a' brewing. Try to get a "smart" phone on Verizon's network and see what they begin to charge you. I pay $60/mo. for my iPhone.

By: telcomexec

telcomexec — Sat, 01 Sep 2007 01:02:28 +0000

The only MVNO, that has executed on its business plan and is growing month by month, is Tuyo Mobile. The target segment for this entity is the Latino market. It has the strength of IDT's calling card customer base, to draw from and the wireless angle, is a natural migration path, for this segment. It has come up with some creative offers and capabilities. The other positive aspect, is that all of the back office capabilities are in-house. No reliance on third parties, other than for wireless network and fulfillment.

By: Reticulating

Reticulating — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 22:32:18 +0000

Many have said that they have not met anyone with a Helio. I have 2 Oceans and the wife and I love the thing. Texting is very easy. If she is at the store I can just text her what else we need. Another thing that happened was that we wanted to see Harry Potter at the IMAX. Which is over 50 miles from home but only 10 from my work. After some trial and error I sent her a Buddy Beacon signal and her and the kids were able to use it to find the place. Really neat. I don't know how they will do but the product is good.

By: David

David — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 21:10:47 +0000

There's an obvious answer to this - they project softer sales due to the iPhone. They might have a better phone, but Apple is just cooler.

By: wirelessjunkie

wirelessjunkie — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 19:33:05 +0000

I’m a Helio dealer and allow me to confirm that July was a “FABULOUS” month for Helio and the Ocean..”The iPhone Killer!” That’s how I’ve sold plenty, haha (no offense to you die -hard Apple suckups!!!) Whether Helio survives or not…I don’t care as long as they bring out KEWL handsets for me to sell until they die!!! I can’t keep enough Oceans on hand to keep up with the demand…