Increasing its series of devices AT&T launched Motorola Backflip as its first Google Android device and phone in February 2010. Despite being too much features and features the phone has some performance based issues and runs Android 1.5. It will be available in the market from March 7 for $99.99 including with a two year contract after a $100 mail in rebate.

motorola-backflip

Design

It looks similar too Motorola Cliq having a rectangular shape and rounded edges with a smaller footprint at 4.25 inches in height and 2.08 inches in width and 0.6 inch thick. It is a flip phone and when phone is closed, its keyboard gets stated at the back of the phone, and while swinging it open, the keyboard stays right below the display. Its keyboard is quite good having the spacious and square buttons. The number and symbol keys are marked in blue and doubled up with the letters and a nice bright backlight make it easier to check out whether you are in dark room or outdoors. There are also a number of shortcuts along the bottom row and left side for having quick access to the internet, search, message and the home and menu screens. Further at the corner of the keyboard is the camera lens and flash.

At the front screen of the phone, there is situated 3.1 inch HVGA (320 x 480) capacitive touch screen that displays 256,000 colors, however, lacks in sharpness and vibrancy of other Android devices like as Motorola Droid and Nexus One. Its screen is also of smaller size and put strain on eyes while looking at e-mails and Web pages.

Behind the display there is a Backtrack navigation pad, that applies like between home screens and photos and scroll through lists and apps with the swipe of a finger. More design wise, it has a volume rocker, a Micro-USB port, and a camera activation/capture button on the right side. On its top, there is a 3.5mm headphone jack and power/lock button, while it’s underneath there is a touch-sensitive controls for the menu, home screen, and back button. Its microSD expansion slot that supports up to 32GB cards stays behind the battery door that is just opposite to the Backtrack.

Features

Like Cliq and the Motorola Devour, the Backflip also uses Motoblur software that is equipped with features like merging contact information from various e-mail accounts and social networking sites, involving Facebook, Google, Yahoo, Exchange, Twitter, and Picasa. Apart, from that it also includes, e-mails apart from Gmail combined into a universal in-box.

Motoblur’s software also lets streaming of content like as status updates, RSS newsfeeds. Despite being an AT&T phone, the Backflip also ships with a number of the carrier’s services and other extras, including AT&T Music and Video, AT&T Navigator, AT&T Wi-Fi Hot Spots, AllSport GPS, Yellow Pages Mobile, and Mobile Banking. It also features voice dialing, a speakerphone, noise reduction technology, and 3G support. Further it is outfitted with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and aGPS.