• 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
  • Font size
  • Print
  • 7 comments

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.

Originally posted at Wireless
Recent posts from Crave
MP3 Insider Podcast 170: Holiday hullabaloo
BMW debuts the new 5-series online
Out-of-this-world gifts for space fiends
Indecent Exposure Podcast 69: Intervals explored
GoPro HD Hero Motorsports sacrifices simplicity for flexibility
Tweaks can't save low-buck LG's picture quality
Tamrac's new foldable tripod is like tent poles
Creative set to release latest Flip Video competitor
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

About Crave

The name says it all. Crave is our blog about gorgeous gadgets and other crushworthy stuff. If you would like to contact Crave with a tip or comment, please write to: crave@cnet.com

Add this feed to your online news reader

Crave topics

Let the battle for holiday gadget shoppers begin

Retailers try different strategies for competing with behemoths like Amazon and Wal-Mart in the cutthroat competition to lure those giving electronics as gifts.

Firefox hopes to one-up IE with fast graphics

Windows 7 features called Direct2D and DirectWrite will speed up Internet Explorer 9 performance. But Firefox hopes it might retool for the same benefit first.