Second Google phone, Agora, to launch in January

PC World - The world's second Google phone, based on the Android mobile operating system, is set to launch at the end of January. Manufactured under the Australian brand Kogan, the phone will come in two flavors, for $225 or $295.

The Agora and Agora Pro models are both available for presale on Kogan's Web site and are sold SIM-free -- that is without a contract or network locking. If your wireless carrier is AT&T or T-Mobile, you can snap up the Kogan Android on Jan. 29 when the units officially go on sale. Check with your carrier first, but migrating to the Agora should be as easy as swapping out the SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) card in your existing handset with the Agora. There's no need to renew your contract or pay any extra fees.

The Agora Pro is the more powerful of the two models and features a 2.5 in. touch screen and an integrated QWERTY keyboard. On the Agora Pro you can browse the Internet and check your e-mail via the phone's 3G connection or via Wi-Fi. The phone also has GPS navigation and features a 2-megapixel camera.

The Agora is lacks the Agora Pro's extras such as GPS, Wi-Fi and the camera, but it comes in cheaper at $225 (including U.S. delivery) in comparison to $295 for the Agora Pro. Both models come with only 256MB of memory, but this can be expanded via the phone's microSD card slots.

Weighing at 130 grams, both models also feature Bluetooth connectivity and FM radio. Kogan also says the phone's talk time is up to 400 minutes while the standby time is of 300 hours. A Mini USB is used for charging and connecting to PCs.

Kogan Technologies is an Australia-based, online-only business founded two years ago by Ruslan Kogan. Kogan manufactures all of its products in China and aims at selling high-quality electronics cheaply online. Kogan also sells LCD TVs, Blu-Ray players, video cameras and -- now -- mobile phones.