So I reported on the 5th in a post which has quickly driven my bandwidth upwards, leaving me ranked #2 for the google of "Helio Ocean Release." Well today I did some more sleuth work trying to further the information available. Helio had initially appeared to close ranks and begin being tight lipped about it, but I later found a weak link in the chain. I did about a dozen phone calls looking for information and have provided a short concise list of my call log and the information I obtained.

I did not misrepresent myself, though I didn't volunteer that this information would be blogged. I didn't trick anyone for any information, I just was an interested buyer looking for a date and price.

My call log:

• Helio Call #1 - Got no solid information, the agent was friendly and apologetic but he didn't give any date. When I mentioned the availability at Game Stop being on the 12th he half acknowledged it as being solid information.
• Game Stop - Got confirmed that they would be selling on May 12th and it would be $294.99. They wouldn't offer any discounts for new Helio customers, that would have to go through Helio.
• EB Games - Unhelpful altogether.
• Various Local Stores - Also all unhelpful.
• FYE - Mostly unhelpful but said they would sell it at MSRP
• Helio #2 - Spoke with a tech support girl who said that Helio would be selling the Ocean TOMORROW May 11th. But it would only be available from them. So you would order it over the phone (1.888.88.HELIO) but she didn't have any of the prices other than the MSRP.

So that's the news. The girl from Helio said that tomorrow was the day she had been told to tell customers. It would be logical considering that Game Stop would be receiving their Helios tomorrow as well, so they would begin hitting the public that day and Friday.

I plan to order from Helio since I will be a new customer and want to get the deal on the Ocean.

Now, given the response to the information I posted on this blog I discovered that there is a hunger for Helio information, so with that knowledge I've launched HelioBase.com.