Virgin Mobile USA has announced the long-awaited Helio Ocean 2, a dual slider phone with easy access to popular messaging and social networks and sites. The Ocean 2 will be on sale for $149 at www.virginmobileusa.com beginning February 12, 2009.

With the similar hardware built as the first Helio Ocean, the Ocean 2 has a larger 2.6-inch display screen with QVGA resolution, 2 megapixel camera and microSD card slot. One-click access to updates and alerts across multiple social networks and media sharing sites such as Facebook, MySpace, Flickr and YouTube convenient for users on the move. Its Media Player also provides background mode playback allowing the user to multi-task while listening to music.

Able to work in landscape mode for web browsing, the Ocean 2 also comes with application to view / edit the Microsoft Works, Excel and PowerPoint files right from the device.

Together with the launches of new Helio Ocean 2, Virgin Mobile is eliminating the $5 charge for unlimited mobile to mobile calling and all contract customers will have Unlimited Nights & Weekend calling starting at 7 PM.

Additional Features:

• 3.5mm standard media headset jack/headset
• Stereo Bluetooth® Wireless
• Upgraded Alert Manager
• 3D gaming
• Video ringtones and wallpapers
• Opera Mini preload
• Full-featured Planner includes Calendar, To-Do List, Notepad, Stopwatch, Alarm, Calculator and World Time Clock

Virgin Mobile USA is initially releasing the Ocean 2 in a limited edition Red; black Ocean 2s will start to become available later this year.

[via slashgear]