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It is looking like Helio customers may soon be making their monthly payments to Virgin Mobile. Recent reports coming from a Helio “tipster” are claiming that we can expect to see some of their corporate stores and kiosks begin to close very soon.

It has also been mentioned that Helio and Virgin were looking towards a merger, but it seems that Virgin has backed out of those talks and the merger will not be happening. At least not without some drastic changes first. Those changes are said to be that Helio either considers a bankruptcy claim or a major liquidation. Which seems to fit nicely in line with those stores beginning to close.

Helio, while maybe not offering the widest selection of handsets does at least have a solid group. I would imagine that the customers main change would be who they write their checks to, but I would also hate to see the current selection of Helio handsets to go away, the Ocean for one is a nice, full featured phone at an affordable price. Either way it does not look good for those in the MVNO business, its also pretty safe to say that SK Telecom made a big mistake when they took the controlling stake in Helio.

Via [Gizmodo]

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Sprint is planning on closing all of their stores, to include licensed dealer locations from 9am to 11am PST today. During this time all partners, owners and employees will watch a webcast. While this is most likely just some employee training, we can always hope for something good, possibly some news of the rumored $60 unlimited calling plan?

Lets just hope the closing of the Sprint stores offers us geeks a little more exciting news than the Starbucks closing. All things considered better coffee is a good thing, but we were hoping to hear something a little more tech friendly.

Via [IntoMobile]

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We recently learned that Palm was planning on closing all of their retail locations, that fact was even later confirmed by Palm, but it seems there may have been a little confusion. It turns out that those airport retail locations will indeed remain open, it seems they are not actually owned by Palm but by Airport Wireless.

Now rest assured next time you are stuck in that airport you will still be able to drop in and pick up that overpriced accessory or

kill time with the latest Palm device until your flight leaves. There was a mention of the stores seeing some re-branding, so it may not be an official Palm store, but the stores will still remain.

Via [Engadget Mobile]

• Palm watches wistfully as HTC buys other design firm
• Can a Hail Mary save Palm?  Warning issued
• Opinion: GameStop keeps expanding at the cost of local, intimate gaming shops

Palm has confirmed the latest rumor regarding the closing of their retail locations. Initially the news of the store closings made it seem like Palm had finally hit the dark tunnel at the end of the line, however their statement regarding the closings gives us a little more hope for the future. According to Palm the store closings will allow them to “focus on its next-generation smartphone platform.“ Still a little skeptical, but we would like to trust them.

As for the store closings, Palm will be closing all of their eight branded stores in California and all 26 airport locations. They will be keeping just one store open which is located at their headquarters in Sunnyvale, California. The closings will all take place over the next five weeks. Sad to see the closings, but hopefully this will allow Palm to deliver that magic device we are all waiting to see.

Via [RCR Wireless News]

• Palm watches wistfully as HTC buys other design firm
• Opinion: GameStop keeps expanding at the cost of local, intimate gaming shops
• Can a Hail Mary save Palm?  Warning issued

According to a user over on the TreoCentral user forums, Palm is preparing to close its retail locations by January 31, 2008. At this time, there has not been any official confirmation, however with all the recent trouble that Palm has been having it has a ring of truth to it. The user “treoneo” of course cannot reveal his “source” so time will have to tell on this one.

With all the recent popularity of the Centro, Palm’s troubles have been getting pushed into the back of our minds a little bit. I do mean a little bit though because I am sure its not hard to remember all the delays of Palm OS II, not to mention the recent employee layoffs. Its sad to say but it seems like the end is getting closer for Palm.

Read [TreoCentral] Via [EngadgetMobile]

• Palm watches wistfully as HTC buys other design firm
• Opinion: GameStop keeps expanding at the cost of local, intimate gaming shops
• Can a Hail Mary save Palm?  Warning issued