Non-G1 Android phone to hit Australia in January

The Agora phone is set to launch Down Under on January 29.

(Credit: Kogan Technologies)

The first mobile phone running Google's Android operating system will hit Australia next month, with a company called Kogan Technologies announcing the imminent release of an Android-based handset it calls the "Agora."

The phone, which can be ordered from Kogan's Web site, will be shipped to Australian and international customers on January 29. The price to buy the standard handset has been set at 299 Australian dollars ($193.90), with a more featured version called the Agora Pro going for 399 Australian dollars.

Standard features of the Agora include a full QWERTY keyboard with a central navigation key, a 2.5-inch touch screen, a microSD slot, and 3G connectivity. The Pro adds a 2MP camera, Wi-Fi connectivity, and GPS navigation.

There has been no news yet as to when the other Android phone, the HTC Dream, also known as the G1, will reach Australia.

Suzanne Tindal of ZDNet Australia reported from Sydney.

[DarkHawke]

Sheesh! Figures the first Android phone the U.S, gets is as homely as a 91-year-old maiden aunt and Oz gets this sleek little filly! Still not an iPhone-killer, but AT LEAST it has pretensions towards spiff!

[Remo_Williams]

Looks like the mini-USB is still your headset interface here. Proc speed looks to be faster. The specs are light on Bluetooth profile support, touch screen type (hi, capacitive screens suck).

[johnqh]

This looks way slicker than the G1

[coryschulz]

Agreed, this looks WAAYYY nicer than the G1. Does this have a touch screen too? I have an iPhone but I'm still very excited to see how the Android platform develops.

[kingrah1]

too bad i bought my g1 last night, ohh, wait, g1 has a better larger screen

[MadLyb]

Very nice design. Hope it comes to the US.

[sarah_oneill]

The australian community already seems to decry the disappointing changes made to the kogen phone since it was first publicized. At any rate, the more android phones, the better, as I see the mobile and android app market. There is an interesting <a href="http://www.atelier-us.com/mobile-wireless/article/another-google-phone-is-different-because-its-australian">related article here</a>. Hopefully the strengths of the Android OS will make up for some fairly unimpressive specs.