AT&T has finally introduced its first Google Android-powered mobile phone, publicly announcing that it will carry the Motorola Backflip smartphone device. The Backflip first debuted at the Consumer Electronics Show in January.
The device will launch on March 7, and features a 3.1-inch touchscreen, a keyboard that can be flipped backwards 45 degrees, a 5-megapixel camera, Wi-Fi and access to the Android App market.
The 3G phone also has a full QWERTY keyboard, can be used to display digital photos, view videos, or as a bedside alarm clock after the screen has been flipped backwards and tilted.
Motorola also will ship the phone with three basic widgets that make it easier for owners to access social networking services. The Motoblur software automatically syncs contacts and user information from Twitter, Google's Gmail, Facebook, Picasa and other sites, allowing owners to consolidate their contacts and receive updates in one place.
T-Mobile, Verizon Wireless and Sprint-Nextel already offer Android devices, but AT&T has held out as subscribers continued to purchase the popular Apple iPhone.
Although the company has had success selling the iPhone and select RIM BlackBerry models, I believe offering Android phones will help them diversify their smartphone portfolio. The wireless provider plans to carry five Android-powered phones in 2010, as the company looks to attract even more wireless subscribers to its network.
The Motorola Backflip will be available on March 7 with a $100 price tag (after mail-in-rebate and mandatory two-year wireless activation).
