MVNO Helio L.L.C. continues to roll out devices in the face of financial challenges, offering a new Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. slider handset sporting haptic feedback on exterior keys.
The Mysto is available for $149 with contract to subscribers of “Helio powered by SK Telecom,” the mobile virtual network operator’s (MVNO) offering for Korean-Americans, according to Rick Heineman, spokesperson for Helio. The device will be available to the “general market” after Jan. 1, Heineman said.
The Mysto is Helio’s fourth device on offer; the others are free, $80 and $200.
When Helio’s Ocean launched in May, analyst Tuong Nguyen at Gartner praised the MVNO’s commitment to offer a series of innovative devices and services. But Nguyen noted that Helio’s current trajectory is unlikely to meet its stated goals for subscriber numbers or financial stability anytime soon, and questioned how long the MVNO could last.
Helio posted a net loss of $92.3 million in the third quarter, and has cut jobs to slow financial losses. SK Telecom recently agreed to continue funding the MVNO, while EarthLink has decided to cap its investment.
New Helio device sports haptic feedback
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