Gadgetell | Tech News, Reviews, and Interesting Things

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]

• THQ to close 5 studios, maybe more
• Circuit City files for Chapter 11, bankruptcy protection
• Satellite Radio in Trouble

Just last week we saw the announcement about CompUSA closing their doors and now they have a “tentative” schedule for liquidation that has been leaked. The schedule was leaked to The Consumerist by a CompUSA repair tech, who we can only imagine was bitter about his upcoming lack of employment.

According to the tech that leaked the story that the process is already underway, and hopefully his “schedule” will hold true. Currently the General Managers are all being given the official word and all new product shipments have stopped. Starting today December 11, 2007 the employee discount will end and it will also be the last day to check your computer in for a repair or to make a return. Going forward all sales will be final and if a return is permitted it will be on a case by case basis.

Wednesday will begin the time that most people will enjoy, this is when they savings are said to begin, with just 10% off at first, but that is just the beginning as the prices are supposed to drop on a weekly basis. Not a real crazy schedule up till this point, with just a 10% discount initially this sounds like a legitimate schedule, time will tell if its accurate.

Read [Consumerist]

• Nokia N810 gets price cut, now just $299
• Will Helio be the next MVNO to join the dead pool?
• Best Buy moving in at 17 CompUSA locations