Australians getting their first Android based phone

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Ruslan Kogan, the 25 year old entrepreneur and head of Kogan Technologies, today announced that Australians will soon be able to get their hands on the first Google Android based phone in that country.

Dubbed the Kogan Agora, the device has a form-factor similar to a Blackberry or Samsung Blackjack with a 2.5-inch TFT-LCD touch-sensitive (320 X 240 pixel) screen positioned above a blacklit QWERTY keyboard. The device will be sold without a contract for $299 AUD, and $399 AUD for a "Pro" version.

Additional features include:

3G over UMTS/HSDPA (850, 1900, 2100 MHz)
GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)
Bluetooth 2.0
microSD slot
624 MHz processor
ROM: 256 MB
RAM: 128 MB
Dimensions (HxWxD) 108 mm x 64 mm x 14.8 mm
WiFi*
GPS*
2.0 megapixel camera*
* "Pro" version only

The phone will begin shipping in early 2009.

Originally the phone was to sell for $199 AUD. Kogan explained on the company's blog that "the price has changed a little -- the impact of the global financial crisis on currencies means that $199 is simply impossible."

The first phone to use Android, the T-Mobile G1, was launched in the United States in September 2008.

#1 /- Razorfold on 04 Dec 2008 - 03:52

Looks decent, like a smoother version of the blackjack imo.

#2 +Jase on 04 Dec 2008 - 05:03

299 AUD - Nice.. I think I will get one.

What is the difference with the 299 and the Pro Version?.. this sounds like something Microsoft would release... Where's the Android Home version?

(1 reply) #3 D.J.P on 04 Dec 2008 - 05:04

Sure the UTMS/HSPDA freq. are right?

Far as I know, we don't use 1900MHZ here.

850 MHZ: Telstra's 3G
900/2100: Optus 3G
2100 also covers other 3G providers.

@Jase: Pro version has a 2.0 MP Camera, Wi-Fi & GPS
2.0 megapixel camera*
* "Pro" version only
(Edit didn't notice the other two *'s)

Last edited by D.J.P on 04 Dec 2008 - 06:04

#3.1 Marshalus on 04 Dec 2008 - 13:52

D.J.P said,

It's taken directly from their website.

(3 replies) #4 +Jase on 04 Dec 2008 - 05:11

So we are paying $100 more just for 2.0 MP?..seems rather far fetched to me. I thought Google where smarter than this.

#4.1 Pc_Madness on 04 Dec 2008 - 07:06

Jase said,

Google made the OS, not the phone.

#4.2 +Jase on 04 Dec 2008 - 07:16

Ah yes.. Silly me.. sorry.

#4.3 Marshalus on 04 Dec 2008 - 13:52

And Wifi, and GPS.

#5 dyreryft on 04 Dec 2008 - 05:24

Not quite post was a little deceiving

Pro version gets

WiFi *
GPS *
2.0 megapixel camera *

I think those features justify the extra $100

#6 +shawncm217 on 04 Dec 2008 - 05:58

Beats the tar out of the G1. Plus, I only see one version.

#7 +Jase on 04 Dec 2008 - 06:04

so the Normal Version does not have WiFi?

#8 Sacha on 04 Dec 2008 - 08:35

This phone has the exact same specs as the Samsung i780.
Same screen, keyboard, form-factor, bands, gps, hsdpa, camera, wifi, ... .
OK, thee is ONE difference: 1300mAH battery instead of 2x1500maH battery.

Other non-spec differences:
More expensive
Runs Android
Is released a year after i780.

Maybe if it was released earlier I would think about buying this instead of my i780. I might have been willing to pay an extra $50 for Android instead of Windows Mobile 6.1. Too late now though.

Last edited by Sacha on 04 Dec 2008 - 08:49

#9 Quick Reply on 04 Dec 2008 - 11:24

I don't mind doing a pre-order but plonking down $299-$399 up front before it has materialised is a bit risky other wise I would order one right now.

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