• On MovieTome: See the villain of IRON MAN 2!
December 4, 2008 8:18 AM PST

Non-G1 Android phone to hit Australia in January

by Suzanne Tindal

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.

Recent posts from Wireless
First open-source Symbian software released
LiveAndroid software gains functions
T-Mobile launches iPhone challenger
Nielsen: Kids' online time leaps dramatically
Sprint sells Netbook for a buck
Palm Pre set for European launch
FAQ: How to vanquish mobile spam
Report: DOJ looks into telecom dominance
Add a Comment (Log in or register) (7 Comments)
  • prev
  • 1
  • next
by DarkHawke December 4, 2008 8:41 AM PST
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!
Reply to this comment
by Remo_Williams December 4, 2008 9:02 AM PST
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).
Reply to this comment
by johnqh December 4, 2008 9:50 AM PST
This looks way slicker than the G1
Reply to this comment
by coryschulz December 4, 2008 10:53 AM PST
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.
Reply to this comment
by kingrah1 December 4, 2008 11:44 AM PST
too bad i bought my g1 last night, ohh, wait, g1 has a better larger screen
Reply to this comment
by MadLyb December 7, 2008 4:20 AM PST
Very nice design. Hope it comes to the US.
Reply to this comment
by sarah_oneill December 9, 2008 12:35 PM PST
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.
Reply to this comment
(7 Comments)
  • prev
  • 1
  • next
advertisement

With Chrome, Google reignites the OS wars

roundup Google Chrome OS, due in 2010, underscores the Web giant's cloud-computing ambitions and opens new competition with Microsoft.
• What Chrome OS has on Windows that Linux doesn't

Laying a guilt trip on military robots

q&a Georgia Tech's Ronald Arkin aims to configure armed robots with a built-in "guilt system" to help them avoid civilian casualties.

About Wireless

Check out the latest wireless news on CNET News, featuring the latest news on cell phones, mobile gear, VOIP, and internet access via broadband and wireless connections.

Add this feed to your online news reader

Wireless topics

advertisement
advertisement

Inside CNET News

Scroll Left Scroll Right