Helio nixes 3G/WiFi service for laptops

If there's one thing I can say about mobile provider Helio, it's that they've always been innovative. Whether bringing Korean handsets to American shores, debuting cutting-edge mobile services or offering hybrid EV-DO/WiFi service to laptop users, the company has long done things its own way. Unfortunately, it seems that these gambles haven't always paid off, as the company's innovative "Hybrid" service for laptops--which could switch seamlessly between Helio's own EV-DO and Boingo WiFi hotspots--was apparently too far ahead of its time. While the company had previously announced that it was cutting off the service, it has now announced an official date for the service's termination: May 8, 2007. Helio's website says that subscribers to the service can keep the card for their laptops and will only be billed through May 7, 2007. Since the service is billed in advance, subscribers may get a check reimbursing them for the rest of the month. The company also has instructions for uninstalling the service, which you can find here.

For more on Helio's Hybrid service:
- see the company website