As more consumers upgrade to tablet computers and smartphones from laptops and 3G phones, more companies are launching their own versions in a bid to get a slice of the growing market - notwithstanding the risk of a lawsuit from Apple.

One company that has rejoined the tablet contest in Australia is Kogan, which launched Thursday its new Agora 8-inch and 10-inch tablets at prices much lower than Apple's iPad2 and not far from Amazon's Kindle Fire.

The launch came out on the same day that New South Wales Federal Court Judge Annabelle Bennett ruled that Samsung could not launch its Galaxy 10.1 tablet computer in Australia. The lawsuit, one of the many that Apple filed against its South Korean competitor, was based on Apple's complaint that the Galaxy Tab looked so much like its iPhone and iPad from shape of hardware to user interface and packaging.

Kogan's Agora 8-inch Tablet retails at $149. The 10-inch version sells for $189. The two models feature 4.3 ratio capacitative touchscreens, lightweight designs and different output options.

Kogan said it could afford to drop its prices by eliminating the middlemen through direct shipment of the device to buyers using a bundled protective pouch.

"There's a lot of hype around tablets and the so-called post-PC era of consumer electronics. It's difficult to leave your house these days without seeing someone using a tablet. ... But a lot of people are still concerned about the expense of the tablets on the market, and can't justify spending up to $1,000 on an entertainment device," Kogan Chief Executive Officer Ruslan Kogan said.

The company launched in April the Agora 7-inch tablet, which it said was a roaring success.

But in a review of the Agora 7-inch, Gizmodo said the manufacturer claimed a resolution of 1024x600, but the actual product was only 800x400. The review also pointed out that Kogan's spec sheet included Bluetooth, which the actual device lacked.

Gizmondo said despite the two issues, the Agora 7-inch was still a good buy at its $139 price tag and credits Kogan with offering a full refund for unsatisfied buyers.

Kogan was also caught in the Apple-Samsung legal battle when Apple threatened to file a lawsuit against Kogan if it sells Samsung Tab 10.1 in Australia. Kogan bowed to Apple's threat.

"All we're trying to do is provide the latest technology at the best prices. Pointless litigation is not out specialty," Kogan told The Sydney Morning Herald.

"There is a fine line between legitimately enforcing your intellectual property on the one hand, and just trying to stifle competition on the other - in our view Apple is very precariously walking that line," Kogan Executive Director David Shafer added.

RELATED STORIES