Helio Heat with Electrostatic Touchpad

Virtual network operator Helio announced the Heat, a uniquely stylized slider phone. The variant of the Samsung A303 uses touch-sensitive controls around the central keypad, minimizing the clutter at the front. As with the Drift, GPS is built-in and uses Google Maps to both pinpoint the phone's location as well as use the carrier's Buddy Beacon feature to find other users. A 1.3-megapixel camera, Bluetooth, and MP3/MP4 playback are further shared with other Helio models. Software and a gallery follow after the jump.

Web-friendly software is the true novelty of the phone, Helio says. For the first time, mobile versions of Boing Boing, Digg, Metroblogging, and Wikipedia are accessible from the phone -- allowing cellphone owners to track and contribute to alternative news sources. All four sites will be available for free by the end of this month when accessed with an unlimited data plan; the Heat itself is available today in Onyx for $150 and will ship in the pictured Gold in the near future.

Features:
Innovative interface, touch control with electrostatic touch pad.
3G for fast downloading and messaging.
GPS, advanced satellite technology for directional and social eventing.
Bluetooth, for connectivity to wireless accessories.
Memory is only 136 MB, but this is a phone.
Camera, 1.3 mega pixel with flash, video and built in photo studio.
Entertainment, media player, music and video on demand.
Speaker Phone.
Calculator.
Address Book, 1,000 contacts - 5,000 numbers.
Alarm Clock.
Calendar.
Picture Caller ID.
Technical Specifications.
Talk Time, up to three hours.
Standby, up to eight hours.
Dimensions, 3.6” H x 1.8” W x 0.6” D.
Weight, 3.17 ounces.
Band, CDMA 1xEV-DO 800/1900 Mhz.
The Helio “Heat” phone should be available now, and will cost around the $180 US mark.