Motorola is certainly coming around, trying to regain smartphone marketshare with some killer phones announced. It certainly started with the DROID, and their not about to let the air out of the bag in terms of continuing to introduce new and innovative handset designs and mobile software ingenuity.
The new Motorola BACKFLIP will have a backwards-folding, outward-facing keyboard, a touchpad on the back of the screen whose functionality is customizable and even API-accessible, 3G connectivity, Wi-Fi, a 5 megapixel camera and MOTOBLUR.
The Backflip is essentially a Motorola CLIQ with some additions. Other specifications include a 528-MHz Qualcomm MSM 7200A processor, 320-by-480 screen, Bluetooth 2.0, a 2GB memory card included with up to 32GB. MicroSD card slot and Google Android 1.5 OS, with Motorola’s MOTOBLUR social-networking add-ons. (Both the CLIQ and the Backflip will receive upgrades to Android 2.1 eventually, Motorola representatives said.)
The physical design of this phone is unique. Closed, the keyboard and screen both face out. You can flip it flat, or into a sort of V-shape to stand it on a table and watch a movie clip. Propped up in its V shape, it also works as a digital picture frame or alarm clock.
When the Backflip is opened, you can use a trackpad on the back of the phone to navigate much as you would with a trackball, without touching the screen. The Motorola Backflip supports the new HSPA 7.2 network that AT&T is putting into place.
The BACKFLIP is headed to multiple carriers worldwide including one North American carrier, not identified by Motorola but because it supports an AT&T network, chances are they’ll be the debut carrier. In addition to the BACKFLIP, Motorola revealed some additional information that will interest current Motorola Android owners:
- All Motorola Android handsets, including the CLIQ, will be updated to Android 2.1
- Motorola is working on Flash 10.1 integration, is optimized for the DROID’s chipset and will be pushed out the DROID at some time in the future
- Motorola DROID will receive a second maintenance update in the near future
