GeekSugar

Helio Ocean Now Available

GeekSugar — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 10:00:15 -0700

As a thank you for their sponsorship I would like to take the opportunity to explain that there is a reason behind the Helio "Don't call us a phone company" ads. The devices aren't just phones, they actually are mobile, talking and messaging machines. Case in point: The Helio Ocean device released earlier this month is a dual-slider with both a numeric keyboard and a separate QWERTY keyboard.

The device merges instant messaging, text messaging, picture messages and e-mails with over-the-air music downloads, video-on-demand, a camera, HTML browser, GPS-enabled Google Maps, photo caller ID and audio with stereo bluetooth. It also features Myspace for Helio and Helio Music. If the device's features weren't enough to convince you, check out the Helio Ocean Cake one of our readers made as an ode to hers.

The Ocean is available for $295 at Helio Stories or Helio Online.

Edible Geek: Helio Ocean Cake

GeekSugar — Tue, 29 May 2007 09:04:58 -0700

I must admit, I had a little warning that LilPeaPod was planning on making her boyfriend a special Helio Ocean Cake so it was all I could think about this weekend. It turned out a bajillion times more beautiful than I dreamed and certainly outdoes the Rubik's Cube cake, matching his and her TiVo cakes and even an assortment of geeky wedding cakes. "I wanted to do something really special for the BBQ we were having in his honor," said LilPeaPod. "After tossing around ideas of gifts, I came up empty handed. He has everything that he wants! What could top his Helio Ocean?! That's right my friends, A Helio Ocean CAKE!!! My Mom helped me with the details, walked me through frosting the cake, how to use fondant, painting the pieces with food coloring and four point five hours later we had this masterpiece."

To check out more pictures of the Helio Cake, read more

View 16 Photos ›

"Needless to say my boyfriend was blown away and I got kudos from all his tech loving pals," added LilLeaPod. "And food coloring stains on my new Yumsugar apron. Finally broke it in."

Up Close Look At Helio Ocean

GeekSugar — Wed, 16 May 2007 08:00:44 -0700

The wait for the Helio Ocean ended last week and while it took a few days to get our hands on the hot device, our hardcore Helio fan LilPeaPod swooped hers up and shared her review of the device on TeamSugar.

As I have told you before, the device is being marketed as the "world's first dual slider that has it all." The "all" includes: full keyboard, separate numeric keypad, idle screen search, video, camera, e-mail, text messaging, AIM and audio with stereo bluetooth. Of course, it also supports Helio Music, GPS-enabled services and applications and photo caller ID.

LilPeaPod says the dual slider is everything she ever wanted out of her SKII and didn't get. "I can surf the web faster than I could with my SK, Pearl or SDA," says LilPeaPod. "Yes, I've had a lot of phones. But this is by far the easiest surfing experience yet. The speakers on the back are killer. Really great sound." As for things she thinks need improvement, she said she wishes there were Alt Keys on both sides to make switching between numbers, letters and symbols a little easier - there is only one on the left on this model. She also wishes there was a wider space bar (I can attest, it's tiny!)

To check out a full gallery of the Helio Ocean and for more review, read more

View 10 Photos ›

While the device was released more than a month in advance of the iPhone, some people are saying it will give the Apple phone a run for its money. What are your thoughts? Have you checked out the device yet?

Check out LilPeaPod's full review of the Helio Ocean.

Do you want to share information about your favorite gadgets with me? Follow the steps below and submit your reviews to the My Favorite Gadgets group.

I know that this long list looks scary, but trust me, once you get the hang of it, it'll be a snap the second time around.

First of all, join the My Favorite Gadgets group
Click "Create and Share!" on the left hand side
Choose "Blog"
Give your photo a Title
Leave the category as "general"
Change the channel to "technology and gadgets"
Add keyword(s) (for example mine for this photo was "My Favorite Gadgets")
Click on the "Add Image" link below the "body" box
A popup window will happen - click on "Browse" to find your image on your computer
Once you have the image chosen, click "Submit"
The popup will show you your image, choose size: "normal" - if you want, you can give it a title (which will show up as a caption)
Click "Insert" and the popup will go away
Your "body" box will now have some text in it. Leave it as is. If you want to add some text before the picture, do it before the code that has appeared.
Click Submit

So join the My Favorite Gadgets group and start posting your great photos! Yours just might end up on the geeksugar homepage!

Helio Ocean Rolls Into Market

GeekSugar — Sat, 12 May 2007 08:04:57 -0700

The much anticipated Helio Ocean hit the market Friday and hardcore Helio fans like LilPeaPod couldn't be more excited. It's being marketed as the "world's first dual slider that has it all."

The "all" includes: full keyboard, separate numeric keypad, idle screen search, video, camera, e-mail, text messaging, AIM and audio with stereo bluetooth. Of course, it also supports Helio Music, GPS-enabled services and applications and photo caller ID.

While the device was released more than a month in advance of the iPhone, some people are saying it will give the Apple phone a run for its money. In fact the last time I checked more than 50 percent of people who voted on Gizmodo's Helio Ocean vs. Apple iPhone poll had chosen the Helio. What are your thoughts? Have you checked out the device yet?

View 2 Photos ›

Source

Helio Pushes Gmail Right to Your Phone

GeekSugar — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 03:00:00 -0700

I know that at least one of our readers will dig this little bit of news coming from Helio, because she's a die hard Ocean fan! If you use Gmail on your Ocean, Fin, or Mysto messaging center, then rejoice! The days of "sending/receiving" your mail are over.

Yesterday, Gmail enabled a push feature on your handset that allows your mail to download right to your phone, without even so much as a request. All that is needed to start the feature is to hit "Send/Receive" as you would normally in your Helio's Gmail inbox, and clicking "yes" on a pop up that asks if you want to enable the brand spankin' new feature. . . and you would click yes, since getting your mail to auto download is so much better than pushing buttons! I tested it out on a friend's Ocean, and after a quick restart, it works great!

Slideon MP3 Player - Taking A Beat From Helio Ocean?

GeekSugar — Thu, 17 May 2007 09:00:02 -0700

Inspired by the hot slider phones of the day, specifically the Helio Ocean, this audio/video player by designer Ian Murchison brings that technology into new areas of the market. All of its controls are hidden under the screen allowing for a sleek, smooth exterior to the product - sounds a bit like the iPhone, doesn't it. This device would feature flash based storage and be able to charge via the headphone jack.

View 2 Photos ›

Source: Yanko

Daily Tech: The Helio 2 Is New and Improved

GeekSugar — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 11:55:11 -0800

After a thorough review, the Helio Ocean 2 gets two big thumbs up. You can now pick one up from Virgin Mobile for $149. - Crave
TechCrunch's Michael Arrington chatted with 28-year-old Etsy founder Rober Kalin at the World Economic Forum at Davos. - TechCrunch
What is with exploding cell phones? Another incident has been reported in China where a man was killed when his phone exploded in his chest pocket. - Switched
WiFi Rail has finally reached a deal to provide high-speed WiFi to Bay Area BART transit system and on all BART commuter trains by the end of 2010. - Engadget
Talk about putting the "on" in Monday! MC Hammer has just released a free iPhone App called the HammerTime app. - Gizmodo
Find out what the best sites are for uploading HD footage. - Unplggd

This Week On Geeksugar - Dually Talented Human Ghetto Blaster

GeekSugar — Sat, 02 Jun 2007 12:16:41 -0700

This past weekend I was out and about in San Francisco and saw this geekalicious musician along the Embarcadero. The Dually Talented Human Ghetto Blaster
Just a few days after Justin TV announced it would allow users to create their own channel and share their life with whoever has enough time to watch, the network has signed on a female lifecaster, appropriately named Justine. Female Lifecaster Joins Justin TV Network
Gone are the days of sending doves or handwritten notes announcing your engagement and alive are the days of broadcasting your proposal, nuptials and honeymoon online for the whole world wide web to fawn over. Trend: Brides And Grooms Tell All Online
I don't often wear big clunky jewelry, but when it's create-your-own LEGO jewelry, I may need to reconsider. Totally Geeky or Geek Chic? Brickwall LEGO Ring
Sam Peterson II, who used a Michigan cafe's free wireless network to check his e-mail will be dishing out enough dough to buy 3/4 of an iPhone and weeks worth of community service for his offense. Man Charged for Using Cafe's Free Wi-Fi
The new Google Maps Street View feature, which allows users to click on maps in major cities and get real images of the street, shows some images people might not want broadcast throughout the web. New Google Maps 'Street View' Causes Ruckus
I must admit, I had a little warning that LilPeaPod was planning on making her boyfriend a special Helio Ocean Cake so it was all I could think about this weekend. It turned out a bajillion times more beautiful than I dreamed and certainly outdoes the Rubik's Cube cake, matching his and her TiVo cakes and even an assortment of geeky wedding cakes. Edible Geek: Helio Ocean Cake

Geeks We Love: Peter Ha of CrunchGear

GeekSugar — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 08:00:15 -0800

In my daily online tech travels, there are always sites that I visit not once, not twice but multiple times a day. One of the sites in this daily line-up includes CrunchGear, a chic tech blog filled with gadgets, geek gear and up-to-the minute news stories. I particularly enjoy reading posts by freelance writer Peter Ha, who dishes about everything from his wild Seoul trip adventures to his first experience on a Virgin America flight. Peter incorporates honesty (Sony I don't understand your commercials), wit, and insight into all of his articles, making them fun and enjoyable to read. I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Peter and getting to know all his geeky quirks and favorites. Let's just say that after I learned he contributes to Surfing magazine and men.style.com, I was even more of a fan... talk about the ultimate geek chic package!To learn more about Peter and check out the entire interview, read more
GS: Tell my few readers that haven’t heard of you a little about yourself…
PH: Let’s see here, I was born and raised in Oregon and spent some time along the west coast before moving out to NYC. I’ve been freelancing for CrunchGear since December of ’06 and I’m now the news editor. I also contribute to Surfing magazine and men.style.com.

GS: You knew you were a geek when...
PH: I’ve been a geek since day 1. If I had to pick one particular moment then it would have to be…the day I started writing for CrunchGear.

GS: What are the top three gadgets you can't live without?
PH: Hands down, I’d go with my MacBook, Pentax K100D Super and then it’s a toss up between my iPod, Helio Ocean and Sidekick Slide. If I had to pick, though, I’d take my…Ocean.

GS: What are you hoping Santa will bring you for Christmas?
PH: You know, there really isn’t that much I find myself salivating over anymore. It’s quite sad, really. I wouldn’t mind a couple of new lenses and maybe a MacBook Pro. I’m pretty content with what I have now. I also don’t have any more room in my apartment for gadgets. Heh.

GS: What are your favorite websites?
PH: Waiter Rant, Jango, gossip blogs, OurStage, NOTCOT, flickr, and I’ve found myself obsessing over Facebook, again.

GS: How many blog feeds are in your RSS reader?
PH: Somewhere in the range of 150, but it changes daily as I drop some feeds and add new ones.

GS: Who do you think are the top 3 sexiest female geeks in the world?
PH: Cali Lewis is a good friend of CrunchGear and I’ve always had a crush on her. Natali Del Conte isn’t too shabby and I’m leaving the last spot for someone new to come along, but Amanda Congdon isn’t unattractive.

GS: Who do you think are the top 3 sexiest male geeks in the world?
PH: Me, myself and I. Ok and maybe Matt Hickey.

GS: How many hours do you spend online a day?
PH: I spend entirely way too much time online! I’m usually at my desk by 7:30 and I’ll sit there until 5 or so. I’ll get a few things done here and there in between and then I’m back on my computer until I go to bed around 1 or 2. So, I’d have to say I’m online anywhere from 12 to 16 hours a day.

GS: What is one geeky habit you’re trying to quit?
PH: I’m not so sure this is a geeky habit, but I really need to detach myself from work ‘after hours’. I’m constantly on my Sidekick/Ocean checking e-mails, AIM and CG.

GS: Which do you think will come first... The next generation iPhone, the Google phone, or something so cool we can't even talk about it?
PH: I think it’s safe to say that the next iPhone will be first, but you never know what some of the other phone manufacturers are laboring over right now. CES is just around the corner and I expect big things to be announced.

GS: How do you feel about people calling you a “geek?”
PH: I’m not ashamed to call myself a geek. I was just watching the show Chuck and one of the characters in a flashback to ’99 said the new millennium would be the age of the geek. I think everyone is geeky in their own special way. I just have a platform to show the whole world.

GS: What are some non-geeky things you do in your spare time?
PH: I try and surf as much as I can, but it’s hard living in the city and not seeing what the ocean is doing so I usually get skunked. I enjoy doing anything outdoors since I grew up in the great state of Oregon. I’ve been pretty keen on photography lately as well. So I’ll just wander the city and snap pics of anything that piques my interest.

GS: What's the best part about being a writer for CrunchGear?
PH: All the new toys I get to play with before everyone else.

Geeks We Love: Devin Coldewey of CrunchGear

GeekSugar — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 06:01:32 -0800

What better way to countdown to Valentine's Day than by showcasing fun interviews with some very special Geeks We Love. Without further adieu (cause I know you want to know who the hottie is in the pic below), I bring to you today's geeky guy - The geekalicious Devin Coldewey, a Seattle-based freelance tech writer who works as an associate editor for CrunchGear-one of my fave tech blogs. You can't help but love a guy with a great sense of humor, who watches nature documentaries, knows a ton about gadgets, and was once . . . a preschool teacher. . . (all together now, awww!) Keep reading to learn more about Devin, and find out why he thinks the MacBook Air is a "sexy lemon!"
GS: Tell my few readers that haven’t heard of you a little about yourself:
DC: Well, I used to be a preschool teacher, but now I do this ridiculous gig. Writing about cool stuff all day, kind of awesome. My life isn't too exciting. . . I spend my days and nights hanging out at bars and cafes writing, reading, and seeing friends. I really love obscure music, nature documentaries, and old-school video games.

GS: When we chit-chatted at CES, you mentioned that you don't read a ton of blogs each day. Is this true? And if so, how do you get all your info for stories?
DC: Well, what I write on isn't always what I keep tabs on. I love looking up stuff like new camera gear, Indie gaming news, and PC hardware. . . But for random cool gadgets like that bad breath detector you guys had, I feel there is so much out there, that I have to leave it the guys who are naturally inclined that way. We edit each other and say "dude, is this cool or not?" all the time, and trade posts when we know the other guy would have loved to have found it.

To check out the rest of the interview, and to see what Devin describes as the ultimate geeky Valentine's Day date (trust me it's realllly good), read more

GS: What three gadgets can't you seem to live without and why?
DC: It may sound strange, but I'm not really a gadget guy. However, I've recently gotten a Helio Ocean, which is chunky but awesome - full HTML internet, GPS, 3G, MySpace and YouTube apps, it's really great to have around. I usually have my MacBook Pro with me, which is indispensable since it's, well, my computer unless I'm at my gaming box. Lastly I have my Canon Rebel XT, which is just a fantastic camera. The Mac and the Canon have been all the way around the world with me and survived a lot of abuse, so I'm not afraid to take them pretty much anywhere.

GS: Your MacBook AirHead story seemed to stir up alot of discussion across the blogosphere. I totally agree with your perspective (and the awesome ditzy model-actress' entourage analogy), but for those who were a tad confused, can you briefly explain why the MacBook Air is a "sexy lemon"?
DC: Oh man, I really shook up the hive with that one! From the time the thing came out of the envelope to when they showed its specs, I was in love. The Air is a beautiful piece of engineering and industrial design. But it fails at everything it wants to be. It's too wide to be a subnotebook like the Eee. It's too limited to be your only computer, and it's too expensive to be a supplementary one. It's just not useful was my point. People pointed out, rightly, that practicality was the farthest thing from Apple's mind when they designed this thing, but one of Apple's best points has always been that it's not JUST eye candy-it also works. People tolerate the premium price because it's a good product and it looks great to boot. The Air is flagrantly placing form before function, I mean my MacBook Pro is two years old and still faster than it, and really it's not that heavy or thick. The Air is, in terms of usability, a lemon - but undoubtedly a sexy one.

GS: Being based in geek-chic Seattle, what would you describe as the ultimate geeky Valentine's date in the city?
DC: Uh oh - my inexperience is going to show here. I don't go out on a lot of dates, I prefer to spend time in a less formal way with a girl, doing fun stuff and not worrying about who pays, which date it is, what exactly the other intends, and that whole game. It's depressing! But if I had the chance to spend a couple hours with a like-minded lady friend, I think this is what I'd do:

If it's nice and still light out, go to the park for a bit and play on the equipment. Fun as hell, and grown-ups often forget this. If there's time, try to get in a few rounds of Super Mario Kart on the SNES or some cooperative Katamari Damacy. Then off to a nice but cozy restaurant I know well - I don't need to impress this girl, just make sure we can have some good food and laugh and talk and maybe see some people we know. Not very geeky. . . but we could have our DS's under the table, pictochatting about how awkward some of the dates around us look. After dinner, get a coffee somewhere and share headphones for watching an episode of Planet Earth or Yacht Rock or something. Then meet friends for a drink - hey, I know it's Valentine's Day but everyone gets date fatigue and it's good to shake things up. This is a good time for sidelong glances and secret text messages to each other. Go somewhere else for a more private drink or share a bottle of wine at a nice overlook somewhere - Seattle has lots of great little spots with great views. If we pick a park, we can climb on the equipment again. Depending on how things go, maybe one last round of Mario Kart?