Second Google Android mobile tips up

AUSTRALIAN FIRM Kogan has announced the second cellphone to use Google's Android software, which will also be the first Android-based mobile to reach the shops Down Under.

Dubbed 'Agora', the smartphone will be offered in two models without tether to a wireless provider contract. The base model Agora will sell for AUS$299 ($192.90 or £131.55) while the upscale Agora Pro will cost AUS$399 (or about $257.65 or £175.57 at time of writing).

Both models will feature 3G High Speed Data Packet Access (HSPDA) at up to 1.5Mbps, Bluetooth 2.0+ Enhanced Data Rate (EDR) rated at up to 3.0 Mbps (2.1Mbps effective), a QWERTY keyboard, 2.5-inch touchscreen and a microSD storage card slot. The high-end Pro model will also have WiFi data connectivity, GPS and a 2.0 megapixel camera included.

In a statement, company founder Ruslan Kogan said, "The Android operating system means the handset can capture and play music, photos and video, surf the web, play games, navigate, and organise your life with extremely powerful applications."

He added that the firm supports open sauce software and said that the Android mobile OS offers a promising alternative to "Apple’s proprietary operating system for the Iphone."

"The open source nature of Android means the operating system will continually improve over time,” Kogan said.

Applications preloaded on the Agora cellphones will include Gmail, Google Search, Google Calendar, Google Maps, Google Talk and Youtube. In addition, Agora owners will also be able to download more application software later from Google's online store. µ

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