Remember the mobile phone called Helio OZ2, as it was known when the device was spotted on FCC earlier this summer. The Pantech made device was planned by Helio as Helio Ocean 2, but ever since Helio was taken over by Virgin Mobile in June, it disappeared from the news and everybody seems forgotten about the phone.
One may wonder why I am recalling it, but it seems important as the there are latest indications about launching of the device somewhere in early 2009 as revealed by the sources from virgin mobile at the latest CTIA event. They also confirmed that work is under progress for Ocean 2, and you may soon see it tagged under the new brand name, Umbrella.
However, Helio subscribers can expect only two changes to their services. One, an increase in included minutes on the $80 talk plan (from 1,500 to unlimited) and the other, addition to Helio download store in the form of Virgin Mobile’s social networking apps and tools.
Not much different from the Helio Ocean, the smartphone is expected to come jam packed with:
* 3 megapixel camera
* Dual slider, just like the original
* micro SDHC support
* 1GB internal storage
* In-browser Flash support
* 30fps video recording
* Touch-sensitive directional pad
* PC sync capability
Also, since Virgin’s host network Sprint is planning to add WiMax, it is also speculated that Virgin may think it worthy and make good of the opportunity by adding WiMax available for its releases.
