Kogan Agora is the world's second Android-based smartphone

The Australian manufacturer Kogan announced today the Kogan Agora and the Kogan Agora Pro based on the Android OS. The duo will start shipping in two months. Both handhelds pack 2.5-inch TFT touchscreens, QWERTY keyboards, and 3G support in a neat Blackberry-esque package.

A month ago the Australian company Kogan Technologies announced its intention to make an Android phone by the end of 2008 using their outsourced manufacturing line in China. Seems like they were almost up to the task as they will miss the deadline by only a notch - the Kogan Agora should be available by January 29th 2009.

The new Android gadget has two different versions - Agora and Agora Pro. Both feature 262K color QVGA touchscreen displays, QWERTY keyboards, quad-band GSM and tri-band 3G (HSDPA) support plus Bluetooth 2.0, FM radio and a microSD memory card slots. Coming with a price premium of about 60 US dollars, the Agora Pro will also add a 2 megapixel camera, Wi-Fi and a GPS receiver to the feature pack.

Agora and Agora Pro will hit the shelves (first in Australia) at the end of January at prices of 190 US dollars (299 AUD) and 250 US dollars (399 AUD) with no network lock whatsoever.

Kogan Agora and Kogan Agora Pro (notice the camera on the back)

Both are already available for pre-order at the Kogan online store: Australian and New Zealand customers should go this way, while all international orders are received here.