Doing BACKFLIPS over AT&T's first Android device?

As we recently reported, AT&T is expected to launch it's first Android flavored device this Sunday, March 7th. Engadget was able to get its hands on the Motorola BACKFLIP. With its unique form factor, the handset has the honor of being the carrier's first phone with the green robot. When the device is closed, the display faces out on one side and the QWERTY faces out on the other side with a 5MP camera that is better than the DROID's shooter according to the web site. When closed, the QWERTY keyboard shuts off to prevent accidental touches of the letters. Behind the display is a touchpad that allows you to use your thumbs to move things around the screen. The manufacturer calls it the BackTrack. Engadget calls it a waste, saying that it doesn't add any value.

Engadget  made some interesting comments. The phone, they said, is laggy out of the box-and that's before you start downloading apps. Yahoo provides the default search engine on the device and yeah, AT&T has that blood feud with Google which is why the Touch Diamond and Touch Pro variants for AT&T didn't have a YouTube client out of the box. Back to the BACKFLIP. Engadget says that one handed closing of the phone is a no-no unless you like bending over and picking up the pieces of the phone on the floor. The food is shoe-horned full of AT&T apps like AllSport GPS, AT&T Maps, AT&T Music (replacing the usual music app), AT&T Navigator, AT&T Mobile Banking, MobiTV and more. The unit is built solidly, a step above the CLIQ, and while MOTOBLUR looks and acts the same as on the CLIQ, the widgets-Social status, Messages and Happenings-have been moved to the home page one move to the left of the main one. In an hour of use, the BACKFLIP had one spontaneous reboot, which means this could be something to keep an eye on. The manufacturer has had problems with its firmware upgrade for the CLIQ, so let's hope that this isn't something that Motorola is having trouble wrapping its hands around. Anyway, let's concentrate on the positive. March 7th, AT&T, Motorola BACKFLIP, $99.99 after a $100 mail-in rebate and a 2 year contract. Be there.

Motorola BACKFLIP Specifications | Hands-on

source: Engadget