Google Android-powered Motorola Backflip received numerous headlines during the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), because the phone's unique design features a full QWERTY keyboard on the backside of the phone.
Following a similar trend, the Backflip is a touchscreen device that still has a regular keyboard -- but features a sideways clamshell design that opens like a book, with the keyboard flipping open with the keys on the outside.
Motorola used this design so phone owners have more room to work with on the keyboard, especially since the Droid and Cliq feature keyboards some users have complained about. Unlike the rather dismal Droid keyboard, the Backflip's keyboard is more dome-shaped and easier to use.
The Backflip has a 528MHz Qualcomm MSM 7200A processor, 5-megapixel camera, Google Android 1.5 OS, 320x480 resolution touchscreen, Wi-Fi and 3G connectivity. The phone will be able to double as a music player, movie player, alarm clock, or numerous other possibilities because of the Backflip's design and unique standing positions.
The Backflip will work on AT&T's 3G network, but will not be supported by T-Mobile's 3G. Motorola hasn't announced which carrier will receive the phone, but it appears AT&T will be the lone choice.
The design of the phone is extremely interesting -- and functional -- but I'm unimpressed with the 528MHz processor Motorola selected.
Motorola hasn't released pricing or availability, but the Backflip is expected within six months.
Motorola struggled for years as consumers switched to smartphones, but the release of the Cliq and Droid smartphones have helped the company become more relevant. Moving forward, Motorola plans to release numerous Android powered devices, as the company continues to work on its smartphone portfolio.
