Helio unveils new Samsung phone

Mobile virtual network operator Helio L.L.C. added a new phone to its lineup, the “Heat” from Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. The slider-style phone supports Helio’s full-track music download service and GPS location offerings, as well as touch-sensitive keys. The phone is selling for $150.
“Young people want more than their parents’ off-the-shelf ‘phone’,” said Sky Dayton, CEO of Helio. “Helio members are driving today’s trends in clothes, music and social networking and mobile is no different. With Heat, we’re delivering another exclusive device with a blend of unique design and high technology they can call their own.”
The Heat joins Helio’s previously released Drift phone, also from Samsung. Gone from the MVNO’s handset lineup are the Hero from Pantech Corp. and the Kickflip from VK Mobile. Asian handset vendor VK Mobile went bankrupt last year.
In other Helio news, the MVNO announced it will offer wireless access to popular Internet sites including Boing Boing, Digg, Metroblogging and Wikipedia. Helio has made a name for itself in providing wireless access to popular sites, and was one of the first wireless carriers to offer cellphone access to social networking site MySpace.