Ultra-Thin Slider From Helio Offers New GPS Search Services

May 9, 2008–Helio’s Mysto is an ultra-thin slider featuring a large, reflective mirror-like screen, a svelte, sapphire blue body and electrostatic keys that make the device shiver when pressed. Mysto also debuts two new Helio GPS search services, WHERE and Tellme, adding to Helio’s burgeoning portfolio of GPS-enabled services that started with the industry-first launch of GPS-enabled Google Maps for mobile and GPS-tagging of photos and videos, plus real-time Garmin turn-by-turn Navigation. Combined with nationwide 3G access and Helio’s acclaimed user interface and suite of communications services, Mysto is an ultimate mix of good looks and intelligence.

Mysto is manufactured exclusively for Helio for the U.S. market by Samsung. Customized with Helio's UI and line-up of services, Mysto is based on the hugely successful overseas U600 model, which has enjoyed sales in the millions in the short time since release in Europe and Korea. “Mysto is a startling combination of beauty and brains,” said Sky Dayton, CEO of Helio. “We packed our best communications services and some amazing new GPS features into one of the thinnest sliders available. Mysto feels like a finely tuned machine in your hand.”

Beautiful Genius
Mysto combines exquisite design and sophisticated technology to meet Helio members’ needs. Smooth to the touch, thin and sexy, Mysto boasts a 2 megapixel camera with 4x digital zoom, night mode and built-in Photo Studio for high quality photos and video, a large mirror-like 2.2 inch QVGA display, 100MB of available internal memory expandable via microSD to 4GB, an HTML browser, stereo Bluetooth and support for an array of audio and video formats including MP3 and AAC audio, and MPEG-4 and H.264 video.

Mysto also has external electrostatic keys that vibrate with “haptic feedback” with the tap of a finger, giving users the look of touch sensitive controls and the tactile sensation they want while using one-click search to jump onto the Web from the device idle screen, navigating through Helio’s ultimate inbox messaging hub made famous on Ocean, or playing a favorite song or video downloaded from Helio Player.

Lose Your Lost
With the introduction of WHERE and Tellme, Mysto expands on Helio’s line-up of GPS-enabled services that already include geo-tagged images and videos uploaded to Flickr and YouTube, Buddy Beacon, Google Maps for mobile and Garmin Mobile. Tellme, a subsidiary of Microsoft and the first one-touch voice search application for mobile in the U.S., lets users simply press one button and say a word to receive local search results, no need to know your location or spend time typing, just say what you want and get it. Tellme returns local listings containing phone numbers, maps, turn-by-turn directions and the ability to SMS the listing to friends. Now, Helio members don’t have to worry about saving restaurants, theaters or other business listings in their address books and finding a late night snack is a snap.

WHERE, a service of uLocate Communications, a GPS widget platform worldwide that gives users access to a library of location-enabled applications. WHERE provides information on things like local weather and events based on the user’s current location. WHERE is accessible on Mysto through its location-aware mobile browser and is a free service for Helio members.

Availability and Pricing
Mysto is now available at Helio retail locations, www.helio.com, by calling 888-88-HELIO and at thousands of retail locations nationwide for $149. Tellme is available on Mysto for $2.99 per month. WHERE is free of charge to All In Members; data charges apply for A La Carte Members.

SOURCE Helio