Engadget http://www.engadget.com Engadget http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif Engadget http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Kogan intros 10-inch Agora tablet with ICS in Australia, ships next month starting at $179]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/29/kogan-agora-ics-tablet/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/29/kogan-agora-ics-tablet/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/29/kogan-agora-ics-tablet/#comments Kogan intros 10-inch Agora tablet with ICS in Australia, ships next month starting at $179

The sea of budget-friendly slates just keeps on comin' -- and hey, we're certain you won't mind it in the least. This time around it's Kogan bringing its own sub-$200 Agora tablet to folks living in the land of Oz. Those near 200 bucks will give Aussies a taste of Android 4.0, as well as a 10-inch, 1024 x 768 display, one rear 2-megapixel shooter, a 1.2GHz Cortex A8 CPU under the hood and 16GB of built-in storage (expandable via microSD). Meanwhile, those looking to keep spending to a minimum can look towards the lesser-priced $179 slab, which is identical in every bit, save for the lower 8GB of internal storage. Barring any major mishaps, Kogan says it expects to start shipping the new Agora on June 25th, with pre-orders being taken as we speak at the source link below.

Gallery: Kogan 10-inch Agora tablet

Kogan intros 10-inch Agora tablet with ICS in Australia, ships next month starting at $179 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 29 May 2012 07:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>agoraagora tabletAgoraTabletandroidandroid 4.0android 4.0 ice cream sandwichAndroid Ice Cream SandwichAndroid ICSAndroid4.0Android4.0IceCreamSandwichAndroidIceCreamSandwichAndroidIcsBudget TabletBudgetTabletIce Cream SandwichIceCreamSandwichicskogankogan agorakogan agora tabletkogan tabletKoganAgoraKoganAgoraTabletKoganTabletslateslatestablettabletsTue, 29 May 2012 07:47:00 EST<![CDATA[Kogan advertises Samsung LCDs in its HDTVs, Samsung would rather not take credit]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/06/kogan-advertises-samsung-lcds-in-its-hdtvs-samsung-would-rather/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/06/kogan-advertises-samsung-lcds-in-its-hdtvs-samsung-would-rather/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/06/kogan-advertises-samsung-lcds-in-its-hdtvs-samsung-would-rather/#comments It won't be shocking to most in the electronics industry, but the rest of the world probably doesn't realize that many products use components from other manufacturers and even direct competitors. So much like most hard drives are made by one of only a few companies, there are only about four LCD panel manufacturers. But just because it's Samsung inside doesn't make it the same, and in that vein Samsung took pause with the Australian value-minded brand, Kogan, when its commercial very plainly exposed just who makes the panels in its TVs . The cease and desist notice didn't sit well with Ruslan Kogan, who claims his company never agreed to obscure that fact and that he wouldn't "conceal the truth from the public." While we usually wish everyone could just get along, we can totally see where Samsung is coming from on this one, as there is far more involved in making a quality TV, beyond sourcing a great panel.

Continue reading Kogan advertises Samsung LCDs in its HDTVs, Samsung would rather not take credit

Kogan advertises Samsung LCDs in its HDTVs, Samsung would rather not take credit originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 06 Dec 2011 02:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adadvertisementaustraliabrand powerBrandPowerHDhdpostminiHDTVKoganlawsuitlcdSamsungTVTue, 06 Dec 2011 02:07:00 EST<![CDATA[Kogan Agora is world's first Google Chromium OS laptop, ships next week]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/02/kogan-agora-is-worlds-first-google-chromium-os-laptop-ships-ne/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/02/kogan-agora-is-worlds-first-google-chromium-os-laptop-ships-ne/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/02/kogan-agora-is-worlds-first-google-chromium-os-laptop-ships-ne/#comments
Kogan, the Aussie company behind such gadgets as the fist-sized Bluetooth GPS watch and gesture-controlled IPTV, is adding a Chromium OS laptop to its family of Google-powered Agora products. The 11.6-inch computer has a spec list rivaling the midrange notebooks of 2006, including a 1.3 GHz Celeron processor, 1GB of RAM, and a 30GB SSD. That's not a lot of oomph, but with cloud-based storage and Google's open source Chromium running the show, this thin client laptop should be in decent shape. There's also a 3.5-hour battery, SD card reader, webcam, Bluetooth, and an HDMI output. Like all Kogan products, the Agora is only available in Australia (AUD 349, about $372) and the UK (£269, about $440), so if you live down under or across the pond and don't want to install the open-source (free) OS yourself, look for the laptop to hit Kogan's online stores tomorrow.

Continue reading Kogan Agora is world's first Google Chromium OS laptop, ships next week

Kogan Agora is world's first Google Chromium OS laptop, ships next week originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 02 Jun 2011 11:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chromiumchromium osChromiumOsgooglegoogle chromegoogle chrome osgoogle chromiumgoogle chromium osGoogleChromeGoogleChromeOsGoogleChromiumGoogleChromiumOskogankogan agorakogan laptopKoganAgoraKoganLaptoplaptopruslan koganRuslanKoganThu, 02 Jun 2011 11:11:00 EST<![CDATA[Kogan's Agora Internet TV Portal promises Android Market access, our LCDs remain skeptical]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/14/kogans-agora-internet-tv-portal-promises-android-market-access/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/14/kogans-agora-internet-tv-portal-promises-android-market-access/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/14/kogans-agora-internet-tv-portal-promises-android-market-access/#comments Believe it or not, we're still rooting for Ruslan Kogan and the rest of his Aussie compatriots, but the company's announcement today of an Android 2.2 set-top TV box with full Market access is, as usual, equal parts intriguing and unbelievable. The Kogan Agora Internet TV Portal: Powered by Android is priced at A$149 with a 1GHz Cortex A8 processor from Samsung, 512MB of RAM, 2GB of flash storage, HDMI output and three USB ports for external storage, that it claims will bring the full internet -- including everyone's favorite Angry Birds -- to your TV screen. According to the sales page it's expected to ship May 27th to anywhere you like, as long as it's in Australia or the UK. We'll mark our calendars to see if it beats official Google TV boxes to Market access in the living room (we're still waiting for the TV shown off last year), but in the meantime check after the break for a press release with more details on this box, a familiar looking 7-inch tablet that also claims access to the Market's thousands of apps and a couple of netbooks. Finally, we spotted a video from ARM fan Charbax checking out what could be the OEM version of the TV box at CeBIT, so that's included after the break as well.

Gallery: Kogan Agora Internet TV Portal, tablet, netbooks

Continue reading Kogan's Agora Internet TV Portal promises Android Market access, our LCDs remain skeptical

Kogan's Agora Internet TV Portal promises Android Market access, our LCDs remain skeptical originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 14 Apr 2011 10:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2.2a8agoraagora internet tv portalAgoraInternetTvPortalandroidandroid marketAndroidMarketfroyogooglekoganruslan koganRuslanKogansamsungset top boxSetTopBoxtvvideoThu, 14 Apr 2011 10:12:00 EST<![CDATA[Kogan's latest fantasy product? An IPTV with Chrome browser, WiFi & gaming]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/10/kogans-latest-fantasy-product-an-iptv-with-crome-browser-wifi/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/10/kogans-latest-fantasy-product-an-iptv-with-crome-browser-wifi/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/10/kogans-latest-fantasy-product-an-iptv-with-crome-browser-wifi/#comments The always optimistic Kogan isn't just aiming at tablets, it's posted a video showing off a new IPTV that could do what the big boys won't when (if) it ships later this year. These Chinese built HDTVs feature WiFi and video on-demand widgets similar to what everyone else is doing, but things start to get interesting in this YouTube video (embedded after the break) around the 1:05 mark when he pulls up a Chrome browser window and navigates the internet easily using the remote, as well as testing out some gesture controlled games and a Bluetooth keyboard. More than a few no-name builders had displays with similar capabilities up and running at CES so it's easy to see someone shipping one or two of these but with Kogan's track record (what happened to those OLED TVs?) it's difficult to disguise our doubt it will be among them. True believers are invited to post suggestions for other features on the company blog -- we're thinking a dedicated Engadget Show channel is just what the doctor ordered.

Continue reading Kogan's latest fantasy product? An IPTV with Chrome browser, WiFi & gaming

Kogan's latest fantasy product? An IPTV with Chrome browser, WiFi & gaming originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 10 Apr 2010 11:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>australiabluetoothbrwoserchromegesture controlGestureControlhdtviptvkoganruslan koganRuslanKoganwifiSat, 10 Apr 2010 11:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Kogan announces $200 HD tablet, with networked TVs, Agora handset, and leprechauns to follow]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/03/kogan-announces-200-hd-tablet-with-networked-tvs-agora-handse/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/03/kogan-announces-200-hd-tablet-with-networked-tvs-agora-handse/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/03/kogan-announces-200-hd-tablet-with-networked-tvs-agora-handse/#comments
Ah, Ruslan Kogan -- we can't help but want to see this starry-eyed dreamer succeed, even if we still haven't got our Android handset. According to Australia's APC, the man's gunning for the iPad market with an as yet unnamed tablet of his own. The goal? A full HD, ARM 600MHz-powered capacitive touchscreen device with 512MB RAM, 2GB storage, and an SDHC card for under $200 (presumably that's Australian dollars, meaning about $180 US). Apparently the above prototype runs Windows, Android and Ubuntu, although Windows won't be an option if -- and we do mean if -- this thing ever solidifies, due to production costs. As for that display, it's tipped to be 800 x 480, the sting of which is taken out by the unit's 1080p HDMI output. You say you're not in the market for a slate? Kogan's also said to be working on networked TVs ("probably by the end of the year") and a Blu-ray player with WiFi and YouTube widgets. As for the aforementioned Agora handset? "[S]oon," he says. "I can't give a time frame on that, though. It'll be as soon as we're allowed to." This is one mysterious man indeed. We can't help but wonder when he's going to get serious and tackle something big, like perpetual motion.

Update: We just realized that this is none other than SmartQ 7 MID first handled, oh, back in May!

Continue reading Kogan announces $200 HD tablet, with networked TVs, Agora handset, and leprechauns to follow

Kogan announces $200 HD tablet, with networked TVs, Agora handset, and leprechauns to follow originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 03 Mar 2010 01:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidBlu-Rayblu-ray playerBlu-rayPlayerhdhdmik-padkoganKogan TechnologiesKoganTechnologiesRuslan KoganRuslanKoganslatetabletubuntuVaporwareyoutubeWed, 03 Mar 2010 01:54:00 EST<![CDATA[Kogan's Twitter reading, Facebook browsing digiframe]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/23/kogans-twitter-reading-facebook-browsing-digiframe/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/23/kogans-twitter-reading-facebook-browsing-digiframe/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/23/kogans-twitter-reading-facebook-browsing-digiframe/#comments
Let's face it: digital picture frames are kind of lame. But companies seem to think that if they keep throwing more features at us we're going to suddenly decide that we actually want an extra 800 x 600 display that does nothing but flash pictures of the yokels we were escaping when we hitchhiked out of Yoknapatawpha County, Mississippi, at the tender age of 16. To that end, Kogan's 8-inch WiFi LCD digiframe packs in a number of tricks we've seen before, and a few we haven't: it accepts photos via email, RSS feeds, Flickr, and Facebook. Email pics to a central address and see them displayed on a group of these things. The free SeeFrame app for iPhone even lets you send images directly from your handset. Or if Twitter's your bag, you can apparently view your feed on the thing as well. Sound great? All this can be yours for a not-so-cool AUD $169 (about $139 in the States). Now all you need are some friends -- friends with digital cameras (or access to a scanner). Sadly, not even Kogan can help you there.

Read - Look where they're Twittering at you now: from a photo frame
Read - Kogan 8-inch WiFi LCD Digital Photo Frame

Continue reading Kogan's Twitter reading, Facebook browsing digiframe

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Kogan's Twitter reading, Facebook browsing digiframe originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 23 Jun 2009 10:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>digiframedigital photo frameDigitalPhotoFramefacebookkoganrsstwitterTue, 23 Jun 2009 10:51:00 EST<![CDATA[Kogan's Bluetooth GPS watch is not for the fashion forward]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/16/kogans-bluetooth-gps-watch-is-not-for-the-fashion-forward/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/16/kogans-bluetooth-gps-watch-is-not-for-the-fashion-forward/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/16/kogans-bluetooth-gps-watch-is-not-for-the-fashion-forward/#comments
If we have one word of advice for folks looking to get into the tech game (that is, besides "why bother?") it would probably be "set the bar low." Don't try to change the world with an unlocked 3G Android handset until you've mastered the basics, like maybe a netbook or, better yet, a watch. Of course, it would be a bit much to expect a true visionary to stop short of a humble timepiece. To this end, Kogan's rebranding that old Mainnav chronometer, the one that packs Bluetooth, a GPS receiver, a temperature sensor, speedometer, pedometer, altimeter, and Google Earth functionality into a package that most of us would probably rather not be seen wearing in public. Available for AUS $129 (about US $85).

[Via SlashGear]

Filed under: ,

Kogan's Bluetooth GPS watch is not for the fashion forward originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 16 Mar 2009 09:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gpsgps watchGpsWatchkoganwatchMon, 16 Mar 2009 09:54:00 EST<![CDATA[$320 Kogan Agora netbook gets the hands-on treatment, Aussie-style]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/12/320-kogan-agora-netbook-gets-the-hands-on-treatment-aussie-sty/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/12/320-kogan-agora-netbook-gets-the-hands-on-treatment-aussie-sty/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/12/320-kogan-agora-netbook-gets-the-hands-on-treatment-aussie-sty/#comments$320 Kogan Agora netbook gets the hands-on treatment, Aussie-style
We admit to being more than a little skeptical when Ruslan Kogan, Aussie tech entrepreneur, promised a cheap netbook within weeks, after his Agora smartphone stumbled out of the gates, but sure enough he's come through, making a run down to Australian PC Authority with a very working prototype of his upcoming netbook -- confusingly also called the Agora. What he demonstrated was a fairly standard 10-inch netbook package, featuring an Atom N270, 1GB of RAM, 160GB hard disk, and a 3-cell battery, as well as a Pro model with twice the RAM and battery, both available with gOS and, eventually, Windows 7. What makes this upcoming model notable is the price: the cheaper model is expected to retail for $499 AUD, which in American dollars is just a tick over $320, while the Pro will go for $549 AUD, or about $355 US. Both models are expected to drop down under next month, and while no domestic release was confirmed, at that price this is one import we wouldn't mind seeing come up over.

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$320 Kogan Agora netbook gets the hands-on treatment, Aussie-style originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 12 Mar 2009 07:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>agoraagora netbookAgoraNetbookkogankogan agoraKoganAgoraruslan koganRuslanKoganThu, 12 Mar 2009 07:44:00 EST<![CDATA[Kogan hopes you'll spend stimulus bucks on Kevin37 HDTV]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/08/kogan-hopes-youll-spend-stimulus-bucks-on-kevin37-hdtv/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/08/kogan-hopes-youll-spend-stimulus-bucks-on-kevin37-hdtv/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/08/kogan-hopes-youll-spend-stimulus-bucks-on-kevin37-hdtv/#comments
This, folks, is the tell-tale sign of someone eager and willing to capitalize. Kogan, the guy who almost made a QWERTY-packin' Android phone, has conjured up a brilliant way for Aussies to spend their forthcoming stimulus checks. You see, the Australian government has sent out AU$900 checks to citizens who made under AU$100,000 last year in an effort to boost the overall economy, and lo and behold, this 37-inch HDTV (comically named Kevin37 -- the locals know what's up) is priced at exactly AU$900. As for specs, you're looking at a 1,366 x 768 resolution panel, 1,200:1 contrast ratio, six-millisecond response time, 600 nits of brightness, a PAL / SECAM / NTSC tuner and a slew of connectors. Get your orders in now before you think better of it, and watch for it to head your way in late April.

[Via Gizmag]

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Kogan hopes you'll spend stimulus bucks on Kevin37 HDTV originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 08 Mar 2009 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AustraliaeconomyhdhdtvKevin37koganlcdothersSun, 08 Mar 2009 00:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Kogan promises Linux netbook in "weeks," we have our doubts]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/24/kogan-promises-linux-netbook-in-weeks-we-have-our-doubts/http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/24/kogan-promises-linux-netbook-in-weeks-we-have-our-doubts/http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/24/kogan-promises-linux-netbook-in-weeks-we-have-our-doubts/#commentsRuslan Kogan, the Australian who built up our hopes only to let them down recently with his make believe Agora, is back with more outlandish promises, and for whatever reason, we think he actually expects us to just believe him this time. During a recent interview, Kogan noted that he would like to be taking orders for a Linux-based netbook that he designs and specs in as little as "two to two and a half weeks." He's expecting to sell the 10-inch machines for around $529 to $539, which will buy you an Intel Atom processor, 160GB of HDD space, 1GB of RAM and a decent amount of magical pixie dust, we imagine. In related news, Kogan's also hoping to have OLED TVs out within just a few months and region-free BD decks shortly thereafter. See, our skepticism isn't that unwarranted, now is it?

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Kogan promises Linux netbook in "weeks," we have our doubts originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 24 Feb 2009 10:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>koganlinuxnetbookopen sourceOpenSourceRuslan KoganRuslanKoganTue, 24 Feb 2009 10:44:00 EST<![CDATA[Kogan shows off Agora prototype, promises retail model will be way cooler]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/23/kogan-shows-off-agora-prototype-promises-retail-model-will-be-w/http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/23/kogan-shows-off-agora-prototype-promises-retail-model-will-be-w/http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/23/kogan-shows-off-agora-prototype-promises-retail-model-will-be-w/#comments
So, what's up with Kogan these days? It's just been a few weeks since the Australian shop went back to the drawing board with its Android-based Agora series, but Ruslan Kogan himself is talking up big plans for the redesigned version -- whenever it gets around to launching. According to Gizmodo Australia, Kogan says he wants the retail Agora to feature a 3.8-inch full touchscreen in concert with Cupcake's virtual keyboard place of the physical portrait keyboard he'd originally envisioned; cool, yes, but sadly, he'll have to play second fiddle to the Magic at this point. In the meantime, he's carrying around his original prototype, which looks... shall we say, not ready to ship. Then again, a hand-built Android set is better than no set at all, eh?

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Kogan shows off Agora prototype, promises retail model will be way cooler originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 23 Feb 2009 21:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>agoraagora proAgoraProandroidaustraliaedgegsmhsdpakoganmobileothersumtsMon, 23 Feb 2009 21:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Back to the drawing board: Kogan working on a redesigned Agora]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/27/back-to-the-drawing-board-kogan-working-on-a-redesigned-agora/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/27/back-to-the-drawing-board-kogan-working-on-a-redesigned-agora/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/27/back-to-the-drawing-board-kogan-working-on-a-redesigned-agora/#comments
It's always fun to root for the little guy, but more importantly, it's fun to root for the $200 unlocked Android phone with 3G, right? It wasn't clear what would become of Ruslan Kogan's dream of building his own Android set after Google apparently told him the Agora's design wasn't such a good idea, but let's be honest: the dude probably didn't build his Australian off-brand electronics empire by giving up every time he hit a bump in the road. We talked to Ruslan today to confirm reports that there's a new model in the works, and he assured us that his company is "certainly in the process of redesigning and launch [sic] the improved Kogan Agora" -- which presumably means he'll be putting a phone onto the market that'll overcome the app compatibility issues that kept the original model from shipping this month. We don't have a timeframe yet, but considering how quickly he was able to pump out the first draft, we wouldn't be surprised to see something within a handful of months.

Filed under: ,

Back to the drawing board: Kogan working on a redesigned Agora originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Jan 2009 12:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>agoraagora proAgoraProandroidkoganTue, 27 Jan 2009 12:23:00 EST<![CDATA[Back to the drawing board: Kogan working on a redesigned Agora]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/27/back-to-the-drawing-board-kogan-working-on-a-redesigned-agora/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/27/back-to-the-drawing-board-kogan-working-on-a-redesigned-agora/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/27/back-to-the-drawing-board-kogan-working-on-a-redesigned-agora/#comments
It's always fun to root for the little guy, but more importantly, it's fun to root for the $200 unlocked Android phone with 3G, right? It wasn't clear what would become of Ruslan Kogan's dream of building his own Android set after Google apparently told him the Agora's design wasn't such a good idea, but let's be honest: the dude probably didn't build his Australian off-brand electronics empire by giving up every time he hit a bump in the road. We talked to Ruslan today to confirm reports that there's a new model in the works, and he assured us that his company is "certainly in the process of redesigning and launch [sic] the improved Kogan Agora" -- which presumably means he'll be putting a phone onto the market that'll overcome the app compatibility issues that kept the original model from shipping this month. We don't have a timeframe yet, but considering how quickly he was able to pump out the first draft, we wouldn't be surprised to see something within a handful of months.

Filed under: , , , , , ,

Back to the drawing board: Kogan working on a redesigned Agora originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Jan 2009 12:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>agoraagora proAgoraProandroidedgegsmhsdpakoganmobileothersumtsTue, 27 Jan 2009 12:23:00 EST<![CDATA[Kogan 'not aware' of sketchy Agora clone]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/21/kogan-not-aware-of-sketchy-agora-clone/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/21/kogan-not-aware-of-sketchy-agora-clone/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/21/kogan-not-aware-of-sketchy-agora-clone/#comments
Only in the bizarro world of KIRF can canceled, nonexistent handsets be cloned and released in quantities of 100 for just $240 a pop, and by all accounts, that's what has happened -- already -- to poor Ruslan Kogan and his doomed Agora. The Aussie with an admirable desire to get one of the first Android devices on the market recently had to delay his pet project indefinitely over compatibility concerns, but knockoffs running knockoff OSes have no such concerns, which is where the lovely Shining phone comes into play. After seeing the all-too-familiar render, Kogan contacted iTWire to say that "I am not aware of this manufacturer and I have doubts that it runs Android OS. It is certainly not what the Agora was going to be or in anyway related to it." 'Course, all it'd take is a couple chats over dinner between Chinese ODMs for Kogan's design to get recycled running something less than Android -- and granted, the Shining isn't identical to the Agora, but the similarities are striking, are they not?

Filed under: ,

Kogan 'not aware' of sketchy Agora clone originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 21 Jan 2009 03:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>agoraandroidkirfkoganshiningWed, 21 Jan 2009 03:38:00 EST<![CDATA[Kogan 'not aware' of sketchy Agora clone]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/21/kogan-not-aware-of-sketchy-agora-clone/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/21/kogan-not-aware-of-sketchy-agora-clone/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/21/kogan-not-aware-of-sketchy-agora-clone/#comments
Only in the bizarro world of KIRF can canceled, nonexistent handsets be cloned and released in quantities of 100 for just $240 a pop, and by all accounts, that's what has happened -- already -- to poor Ruslan Kogan and his doomed Agora. The Aussie with an admirable desire to get one of the first Android devices on the market recently had to delay his pet project indefinitely over compatibility concerns, but knockoffs running knockoff OSes have no such concerns, which is where the lovely Shining phone comes into play. After seeing the all-too-familiar render, Kogan contacted iTWire to say that "I am not aware of this manufacturer and I have doubts that it runs Android OS. It is certainly not what the Agora was going to be or in anyway related to it." 'Course, all it'd take is a couple chats over dinner between Chinese ODMs for Kogan's design to get recycled running something less than Android -- and granted, the Shining isn't identical to the Agora, but the similarities are striking, are they not?

Filed under: , ,

Kogan 'not aware' of sketchy Agora clone originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 21 Jan 2009 03:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>agoraandroidkirfkoganmobileothersshiningWed, 21 Jan 2009 03:38:00 EST<![CDATA["Shining" phone steals a little Agora magic]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/20/shining-phone-steals-a-little-agora-magic/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/20/shining-phone-steals-a-little-agora-magic/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/20/shining-phone-steals-a-little-agora-magic/#comments
Okay, we don't really know what's going on here, but a "Shining" phone that looks almost exactly like the original version of the Kogan Agora Android phone just popped up on Alibaba with a three-day delivery time and a 100-unit wholesale price of $240. Of course, the Agora was just delayed indefinitely, so this could just be nothing; contracting design and development out to faceless Chinese manufacturers like Kogan's doing is pretty much a deal with the KIRF devil, and those are definitely renders on the site, not actual pictures. Still, we're dying to see a flood of non-G1 Android handsets shake up the mobile market, and if getting stoked over sketchy Asian copies of semi-vaporware Australian phones is how we have to get our kicks, well, we're looking for new friends with an extra 24 grand and a healthy sense of forgiveness.

[Thanks, Raymanism]

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"Shining" phone steals a little Agora magic originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 20 Jan 2009 06:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Okay, we don't really know what's going on here, but a "Shining" phone that looks almost exactly like the original version of the Kogan Agora Android phone just popped up on Alibaba with a three-day delivery time and a 100-unit wholesale price of $240. Of course, the Agora was just delayed indefinitely, so this could just be nothing; contracting design and development out to faceless Chinese manufacturers like Kogan's doing is pretty much a deal with the KIRF devil, and those are definitely renders on the site, not actual pictures. Still, we're dying to see a flood of non-G1 Android handsets shake up the mobile market, and if getting stoked over sketchy Asian copies of semi-vaporware Australian phones is how we have to get our kicks, well, we're looking for new friends with an extra 24 grand and a healthy sense of forgiveness.

[Thanks, Raymanism]

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"Shining" phone steals a little Agora magic originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 20 Jan 2009 06:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>agoraagora proAgoraProandroidandroid phoneAndroidPhonekirfkogankogan agorakogan agora proKoganAgoraKoganAgoraProshiningTue, 20 Jan 2009 06:02:00 EST<![CDATA[So close, yet so far: Kogan Agora delayed indefinitely]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/16/so-close-yet-so-far-kogan-agora-delayed-indefinitely/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/16/so-close-yet-so-far-kogan-agora-delayed-indefinitely/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/16/so-close-yet-so-far-kogan-agora-delayed-indefinitely/#comments
Oh, Kogan -- we were so, so hopeful that you weren't peddling vaporware, and the latest indications seemed to suggest that the Agora and Agora Pro were very much real devices. We wanted to root for the little guy, get another Android handset out into the unlocked market, review it, and love it to death. Unfortunately, scrappy Australian entrepreneur Ruslan Kogan has decided to delay the launch of his independently-designed phones indefinitely citing concerns over compatibility with future Android apps -- concerns that were likely raised in a hush-hush meeting he'd recently scored with Google. One issue, it seems, is that the Agora's screen resolution won't likely play nice with Android apps going forward; that doesn't seem quite right since the form factor is totally standard, but who really knows? The dude's had working prototypes on video, so we can't totally write it off just yet.

[Thanks Alex Z., and everyone who sent this in]

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So close, yet so far: Kogan Agora delayed indefinitely originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 16 Jan 2009 00:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>agoraandroidaustraliakoganFri, 16 Jan 2009 00:48:00 EST<![CDATA[So close, yet so far: Kogan Agora delayed indefinitely]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/16/so-close-yet-so-far-kogan-agora-delayed-indefinitely/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/16/so-close-yet-so-far-kogan-agora-delayed-indefinitely/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/16/so-close-yet-so-far-kogan-agora-delayed-indefinitely/#comments
Oh, Kogan -- we were so, so hopeful that you weren't peddling vaporware, and the latest indications seemed to suggest that the Agora and Agora Pro were very much real devices. We wanted to root for the little guy, get another Android handset out into the unlocked market, review it, and love it to death. Unfortunately, scrappy Australian entrepreneur Ruslan Kogan has decided to delay the launch of his independently-designed phones indefinitely citing concerns over compatibility with future Android apps -- concerns that were likely raised in a hush-hush meeting he'd recently scored with Google. One issue, it seems, is that the Agora's screen resolution won't likely play nice with Android apps going forward; that doesn't seem quite right since the form factor is totally standard, but who really knows? The dude's had working prototypes on video, so we can't totally write it off just yet.

[Thanks Alex Z., and everyone who sent this in]

Filed under: , ,

So close, yet so far: Kogan Agora delayed indefinitely originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 16 Jan 2009 00:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>agoraandroidaustraliakoganmobileothersFri, 16 Jan 2009 00:48:00 EST<![CDATA[Kogan's Android-powered Agora gets handled on video]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/07/kogans-android-powered-agora-gets-handled-on-video/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/07/kogans-android-powered-agora-gets-handled-on-video/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/07/kogans-android-powered-agora-gets-handled-on-video/#comments
Color us believers, friends. Not only did we catch the Agora in full glorious -- albeit blurry -- color yesterday, we're now seeing it handled by some lucky type who owns a video cam that's able to focus. We're pretty stoked about this device and with a dash of luck we may have a chance to check it out ourselves in the next few days. Video follows the break.

[Thanks, Vuki]

Continue reading Kogan's Android-powered Agora gets handled on video

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Kogan's Android-powered Agora gets handled on video originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 07 Jan 2009 01:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>agoraandroidcesces 2009Ces2009koganWed, 07 Jan 2009 01:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Kogan's Android-powered Agora gets handled on video]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/06/kogans-android-powered-agora-gets-handled-on-video/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/06/kogans-android-powered-agora-gets-handled-on-video/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/06/kogans-android-powered-agora-gets-handled-on-video/#comments
Color us believers, friends. Not only did we catch the Agora in full glorious -- albeit blurry -- color yesterday, we're now seeing it handled by some lucky type who owns a video cam that's able to focus. We're pretty stoked about this device and with a dash of luck we may have a chance to check it out ourselves in the next few days. Video follows the break.

[Thanks, Vuki]

Continue reading Kogan's Android-powered Agora gets handled on video

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Kogan's Android-powered Agora gets handled on video originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 01:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>agoraandroidcesces 2009Ces2009koganmobileTue, 06 Jan 2009 01:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Android-powered Kogan Agora meets Mr. Blurrycam on way to CES debut]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/05/android-powered-kogan-agora-meets-mr-blurrycam-on-way-to-ces-de/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/05/android-powered-kogan-agora-meets-mr-blurrycam-on-way-to-ces-de/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/05/android-powered-kogan-agora-meets-mr-blurrycam-on-way-to-ces-de/#comments
Okay, yes, we were mad skeptical that the Agora would ever see the light of day, and you know what? This is one situation where we're absolutely delighted to be proven wrong. Kogan's homegrown Android handset just got pictured in the wild -- the first time we've seen anything but a render -- on its way to a supposed CES debut. Rest assured: if it's really going to be meandering around Vegas this week, we will hunt it down.

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Android-powered Kogan Agora meets Mr. Blurrycam on way to CES debut originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 05 Jan 2009 22:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Okay, yes, we were mad skeptical that the Agora would ever see the light of day, and you know what? This is one situation where we're absolutely delighted to be proven wrong. Kogan's homegrown Android handset just got pictured in the wild -- the first time we've seen anything but a render -- on its way to a supposed CES debut. Rest assured: if it's really going to be meandering around Vegas this week, we will hunt it down.

Filed under: , , , , , ,

Android-powered Kogan Agora meets Mr. Blurrycam on way to CES debut originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 05 Jan 2009 22:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>agoraandroidbreaking newsBreakingNewscesces 2009Ces2009edgegsmhsdpakoganmobileothersumtsMon, 05 Jan 2009 22:42:00 EST<![CDATA[Kogan's Agora gets tweaked ahead of release -- in Photoshop, anyway]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/13/kogans-agora-gets-tweaked-ahead-of-release-in-photoshop-any/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/13/kogans-agora-gets-tweaked-ahead-of-release-in-photoshop-any/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/13/kogans-agora-gets-tweaked-ahead-of-release-in-photoshop-any/#comments
You're bound to face a few hiccups when you're a no-name brand trying to source an Android handset from a no-name ODM buried deep inside a Shenzen industrial park, and it seems Kogan's going through those growing pains right about now. The Australian company still says the Agora and Agora Pro will ship before the end of January (barely), but it looks like they're down to the wire with tweaks to the phone's design. For starters, the soft keys are gone -- not much use for those in Android anyway, last we checked -- replaced with a decidedly WinMo-esque set of home and back keys; the keyboard's been redesigned, too, and the d-pad is looking more usable than it had been before. For the Agora's price point, we're still sold on this thing -- but only if we can get something more than a printout of a pretty render delivered to our doorstep.

[Thanks, Big Mike]

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Kogan's Agora gets tweaked ahead of release -- in Photoshop, anyway originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 13 Dec 2008 15:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>agoraagora proAgoraProandroidaustraliakoganSat, 13 Dec 2008 15:47:00 EST<![CDATA[Kogan's Agora gets tweaked ahead of release -- in Photoshop, anyway]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/13/kogans-agora-gets-tweaked-ahead-of-release-in-photoshop-any/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/13/kogans-agora-gets-tweaked-ahead-of-release-in-photoshop-any/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/13/kogans-agora-gets-tweaked-ahead-of-release-in-photoshop-any/#comments
You're bound to face a few hiccups when you're a no-name brand trying to source an Android handset from a no-name ODM buried deep inside a Shenzen industrial park, and it seems Kogan's going through those growing pains right about now. The Australian company still says the Agora and Agora Pro will ship before the end of January (barely), but it looks like they're down to the wire with tweaks to the phone's design. For starters, the soft keys are gone -- not much use for those in Android anyway, last we checked -- replaced with a decidedly WinMo-esque set of home and back keys; the keyboard's been redesigned, too, and the d-pad is looking more usable than it had been before. For the Agora's price point, we're still sold on this thing -- but only if we can get something more than a printout of a pretty render delivered to our doorstep.

[Thanks, Big Mike]

Filed under: , , , , , ,

Kogan's Agora gets tweaked ahead of release -- in Photoshop, anyway originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 13 Dec 2008 15:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>agoraagora proAgoraProandroidaustraliaedgegsmhsdpakoganmobileothersumtsSat, 13 Dec 2008 15:47:00 EST<![CDATA[Kogan intros world's second Android phone: Agora / Agora Pro]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/03/kogan-intros-worlds-second-android-phone-agora-agora-pro/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/03/kogan-intros-worlds-second-android-phone-agora-agora-pro/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/03/kogan-intros-worlds-second-android-phone-agora-agora-pro/#comments
We'll be totally honest -- we pretty much blew Ruslan Kogan off when he proclaimed that he was about to push out a $199 Android phone by the year's end. And truthfully, the guy still hasn't totally delivered, but you won't find us kvetching about more Googlephones, regardless of MSRP. The Agora (AU$299; US$192) and Agora Pro (AU$399; US$256) are available for pre-order as we speak, though neither one is scheduled to ship out until the end of January. For those unfamiliar with Kogan, it's an online-only enterprise that has wares built specifically to its dimensions in China, and so far as we can tell, it's as legit as they come. As for specs, the Agora packs a 2.5-inch touchscreen (320 x 240), 3G networking, a backlit QWERTY keyboard, Bluetooth 2.0 and a microSD card slot; the Pro adds in GPS, 2-megapixel camera and WiFi. So, with unsubsidized prices this low, are you willing to take a chance?

[Via iTWire]

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Kogan intros world's second Android phone: Agora / Agora Pro originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 03 Dec 2008 22:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidaustraliabreaking newsBreakingNewsglobalgooglegoogle phoneGooglePhoneKoganODMOEMopen sourceopen-sourceOpenSourceRuslan KoganRuslanKoganWed, 03 Dec 2008 22:23:00 EST<![CDATA[Kogan intros world's second Android phone: Agora / Agora Pro]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/03/kogan-intros-worlds-second-android-phone-agora-agora-pro/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/03/kogan-intros-worlds-second-android-phone-agora-agora-pro/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/03/kogan-intros-worlds-second-android-phone-agora-agora-pro/#comments
We'll be totally honest -- we pretty much blew Ruslan Kogan off when he proclaimed that he was about to push out a $199 Android phone by the year's end. And truthfully, the guy still hasn't totally delivered, but you won't find us kvetching about more Googlephones, regardless of MSRP. The Agora (AU$299; US$192) and Agora Pro (AU$399; US$256) are available for pre-order as we speak, though neither one is scheduled to ship out until the end of January. For those unfamiliar with Kogan, it's an online-only enterprise that has wares built specifically to its dimensions in China, and so far as we can tell, it's as legit as they come. As for specs, the Agora packs a 2.5-inch touchscreen (320 x 240), 3G networking, a backlit QWERTY keyboard, Bluetooth 2.0 and a microSD card slot; the Pro adds in GPS, 2-megapixel camera and WiFi. So, with unsubsidized prices this low, are you willing to take a chance?

[Via iTWire]

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Kogan intros world's second Android phone: Agora / Agora Pro originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 03 Dec 2008 22:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Well, would you have a look at this. Out of seemingly nowhere, Aussies have been shown a remarkably affordable option for diving into the deep, crystal clear world of Blu-ray. Kogan Technologies is just 24 hours away from releasing its apparently unnamed Profile 1.1 Blu-ray player in the aforesaid continent / country, and with it will come 1080p output, an HDMI 1.3 port, DVD upconversion and Dolby TrueHD / DTS-HD decoding. The online-only e-tailer is taking orders for the unit as we speak, and for just AU$349 (that's $218 in greenbacks), we can definitely see it moving quite a few units.

[Via ITWire]

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Kogan intros AU$349 Profile 1.1 Blu-ray player for Australia originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 20 Nov 2008 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Australiabdblu rayBlu-rayBlu-ray playerBlu-rayPlayerblurayhdKoganKogan TechnologiesKoganTechnologiesothersprofile 1.1Profile1.1Thu, 20 Nov 2008 09:29:00 EST