iPhone step aside. Helio's Ocean does what you don't (and their NYC store opens tomorrow)

Maybe Apple's iPhone is getting all the attention this week. And most of the critics are talking about how it's living up to the hype. But what they're not saying how the same amount of money might serve you better if you invest it in something else that's not only less money, but that spanks the iPhone on some of its weaknesses. Helio's Ocean for example. Here at Pepcom's Digital Experience event in New York City (a veritable gadgetfast), Helio was not only showing off the Ocean phone, but talking about how it's opening a flagship store down in Soho that's right around the corner from the Apple Store where prospective iPhone buyers are currently camping out.

Take your pick of iPhone shortcomings:

• No memory expansion capabilities.
• Lack of support for Bluetooth's stereo profile.
• No physical QWERTY keyboard (let alone a numeric keyboard for basic phone usage).
• Lack of any 3G network capabilities.
• No removable battery

Helio's Ocean has it all. It can play music and video, get your e-mail and do text messaging (or call Mom). It has Bluetooth stereo headset support. It runs over Sprint's 3G-rated EV-DO network (better for Web access). It supports storage expansion through a microSD slot. And use the video above to check out the physical keyboards (yes that's plural with an "s"). Through an innovative convertible design, it has both a QWERTY keyboard and a numeric keypad. It's batteries are replaceable.

Best of all though? It's cost. $295. That's half of what the 8GB iPhone costs (so you can go out an buy lots of extra batteries). There's more (like its built-in GPS features). Here at Digital Experience, Helio spokesperson Courtney Carlisle gave me the lowdown. Check out the video and tell me what you think.