AT&T Wireless fans now have their first opportunity to purchase an Android smartphone from the carrier. The Motorola Backflip is one of five Android handsets the company plans to release in the first half of 2010.
The device features a large keyboard that flips over instead of sliding. When the Backflip is folded closed the keyboard is not hidden, it remains exposed and deactivated on the back of the phone.
This design leaves plenty of room for the 3.1 inch touch screen as the hinge is compact. Motorola has also made it possible to interact with the touch screen from behind the screen when unfolded. The Backflip can also be angled so the screen can be viewed like a video and photo frame without holding the phone or it can act as an alarm clock.
Like the Motorola CLIQ, the Backflip features MOTOBLUR software, which allows the user to receive continuous updates on the home screen from several social networking sources such as Facebook, Twitter, email and other widgets. The phone has a built-in 5 megapixel camera that records photos and videos.
The Backflip has integrated Wi-Fi and supports HSPA 7.2, an upgraded 3G speed offered on the AT&T network. Android 1.5 was running on the demo version in January, although it's possible that AT&T will offer a software update.