Helio Ocean misses the iPhone target market
March 26, 2007I am a little confused about the Ocean’s target market. In its brief existence, Helio has targeted the teen market where social networking, IM, and SMS integration were considered key selling points. The new product, dubbed the Ocean, markets Microsoft Exchange and GPS capability.
Presumably, the teen market doesn’t give a rats ass about Exchange and GPS, so who will want this product? Let’s assume that the new market is young professional segment.
Does Helio have a salesforce that can tie up with enterprises to allow access to Exchange? Even if Helio has a sales team to target enterprise market, will businesses hitch their critical mobile mail needs to a MVNO, when the MVNO business model is still unproven and shaky at best? If the target market is young professionals, will they drop $300 for the Ocean in May, when they know that they can wait for another 3 days* for the iPhone and do a true comparison?
Why do images of Apple Newtons sometimes drift uninvited across our mind’s eye?
Newtons are collectors items – this is more of the Microsoft Bob variety. No one will care and no one will miss it. Let’s just hope this blunder doesn’t put Helio under.
* – 3 days if the iPhone appears on June 1.
LATE MAY! MAN, i thought this thing would be released in f’ing april. I’ve been going phoneless for months just waiting for this thing. i swear, helio is putting me off with the vaguest release date ever.
No worries man….its coming out May 8th. I’ve been using a Broken Razr for a month in anticipation for this phone. A friend of mine works for helio. The wait will be over on may 8th
Finally, a date for when I can hope to expect the Helio, even if its not 100% accurate at least its something I can look forward to.
May 11th is when it hits stores according to the sales reps at Helio and Gamestop, of all places. They say if it doesn’t hit the 11th it’ll be that weekend.
“Does Helio have a salesforce that can tie up with enterprises to allow access to Exchange?”
If an organization/enterprise already has Exchange, then once Ocean has the functionality (which is “soon”) then it will work. Its not like the organization can allow only certain devices. Or if they can, the ones I work with don’t. Basically, if my device supports it, it will work with my Exchange service.
“If the target market is young professionals, will they drop $300 for the Ocean in May, when they know that they can wait for another 3 days for the iPhone and do a true comparison?”
Absolutely. As a young professional I want a stylish phone, but with all the features of a smartphone. I’m not convinced that the iPhone has that. I want a REAL keyboard that I can feel the keys on. GPS is a great feature- another gadget I can eliminate by rolling it into my phone.
Plus, if the iPhone gets as big as the iPod its not cool, unique or cutting edge anymore. I like the Helio because people will ask me about it. Who says “Oh wow, is that an iPod!?”
Let’s not forget the Helio plans. A flat rate (lower than what I’m paying for Verizon) gets me my minutes, and unlimited data, text, email, picture messaging, EVERYTHING.
Lastly, I’m not going to have to cut off an arm and a leg, or camp outside the Apple/Cingular store to get this puppy. Like I alluded to, nothing turns me off more than the idea of flocks of people fighting over the “next big thing”. That’s why I don’t have an Xbox 360… much less an Xbox.
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