Powered by the Android OS and featuring the socially minded MOTOBLUR overlay, the Motorola BACKFLIP for AT&T features an original reverse flip design, 3.1-inch touchscreen display, spacious physical keyboard, and unique BACKTRACK touch panel located behind the screen when the device is folded open–providing you hands-free navigation of the phone without having to touch the display. It also boasts super-fast Web browsing on AT&T’s 7.2 HSPA 3G technology as well as Wi-Fi networking with access to more than 20,000 AT&T Wi-Fi hotspots.

The unique BACKFLIP features a reverse flip design, spacious keyboard and BACKTRACK touch panel (see larger image).

With MOTOBLUR, updates from Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter as well as e-mail are automatically delivered to the home screen and fed into easy-to-manage streams.

MOTOBLUR helps you to stay on top of both work and personal e-mail as well as keep tabs on all your Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter pals–all automatically delivered to the customizable home screen. You can also update your status to Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter simultaneously and sync your social network contacts with your phonebook and e-mail contact lists.

With integrated Google technology, the Motorola BACKFLIP brings one-touch access to the popular Google mobile services millions use every day, including Google Search by voice, Google Maps with Street View, GTalk instant messaging (with presence capabilities), YouTube, and Picasa. The BACKFLIP also provides easy access to both personal and corporate e-mail, calendars, and contacts supported by Exchange Server and Gmail.

This GPS-enabled phone can access Google Maps as well as the AT&T Navigator service for voice-prompted turn-by-turn directions. The BACKFLIP comes with a 2 GB microSD memory card pre-installed, and it’s compatible with optional additional cards up to 16 GB in size. Other features include a 5-megapixel camera/camcorder, Bluetooth for both hands-free communication and stereo music streaming, full HTML Web browser, and up to 6 hours of talk time.

Revolutionary Design

The BACKFLIP’s original design can be used in a unique tabletop multimedia mode so you can watch movies, TV shows or other streaming video on the 3.1-inch widescreen display–it’s also the perfect set up for using as an alarm clock. And the BACKFLIP’s full QWERTY keyboard makes sending messages fast and easy.It also features another Motorola innovation–the BACTRACK rear navigation pad, which simulates a PC experience and makes scrolling and surfing effortless. With the rear BACKTRACK touch pad, you can flick through photos or Web pages for your friends without your fingers obscuring the home screen.

Key Features

• Fast 3G connectivity via AT&T’s HSDPA/UMTS network (850/1900 MHz bands; 3.6/7.2 Mbps speeds with network availability).
• Powered by the Android operating system (version 1.5) with deep integration of Google services and access to thousands of apps to customize your phone via the Android Market. (Learn more)
• Innovative widget-based MOTOBLUR overlay to Android automatically delivers Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, Gmail, and work and personal e-mail updates to the home screen in easy-to-view streams so there is no need to open and close different mobile applications. (Learn more)
• Update Facebook, MySpace and Twitter at once instead of opening individual apps as well as upload your photos to Facebook, MySpace, Picasa and Photobucket.
• MOTOBLUR continuously displays your friends’ latest profile pics as part of your texts, calls, e-mails and address book.
• View your friends your way : MOTOBLUR lets you view friends from A to Z, by contact history or in groups you make yourself.
• Customize your home screen with your favorite widgets and short cuts
• Your information is continuously updated and backed up into a secure environment, so you’re connected and protected even if you lose your phone.
• GPS navigation capabilities via AT&T Navigator service includes audible turn-by-turn directions, real-time traffic updates and re-routing options.
• Built-in accelerometer and eCompass for use with location and orientation apps.
• 3.1-inch touchscreen display (320 x 480 pixels, 65K colors)
• 5-megapixel camera with 4x digital zoom, LED flash, video capture (24 fps), and easy uploading of videos to YouTube,
• Wi-Fi networking (802.11b/g) for accessing home and corporate networks as well as hotspots while on the go.
• Bluetooth connectivity (version 2.0) includes profiles for communication headset, hands-free car kits, and the A2DP Bluetooth profile–enabling you to wirelessly stream your music to a pair of compatible Bluetooth stereo headphones or speaker dock. (Profiles supported : A2DP, HID, HSP, HFP, AVRCP and GAP)
• Memory expansion via microSD card slot with support for optional cards up to 32 GB (2 GB card included).
• Full HTML Web browsing
• Text, picture and video messaging
• Instant messaging via AIM, Windows Live, Yahoo!, and Google Talk
• Push e-mail via Google and Exchange with support for IMAP and POP, MSN Hotmail, Yahoo Mail and AOL Mail
• Google and corporate calendar (supports Exchange 2003 and 2007 protocols)
• Back-up and security : Contacts, log-in information, home screen customizations, e-mail and social network messages are backed up automatically on the secure MOTOBLUR portal. The portal also allows you to use the phone’s fully integrated aGPS to help locate the phone if misplaced. Remote wipe easily clears information from a lost device.
• 3.5mm headset jack
• USB connectivity
• Dual microphone with noise cancellation
• Voice dialing capabilities
• 528 MHz processor, 256 MB flash memory

Vital Statistics
The Motorola BACKFLIP weighs 4.7 ounces and measures 4.25 x 2.09 x 0.6 inches. Its 1400 mAh lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 6 hours of talk time, and up to 324 hours (13.5 days) of standby time. It runs on the 850/900/1800/1900 MHz GSM/GPRS/EDGE frequencies as well as AT&T’s dual-band 3G network (850/1900 MHz; HSDPA/UMTS) plus 2100 MHz international 3G networks.

What’s in the Box
Motorola BACKFLIP handset, rechargeable battery, charger, 2 GB microSD memory card, quick start guide, user manual

AT&T Services

High-speed data connectivity via AT&T’s 3G mobile broadband data network : The dual-band 850/1900 MHz 3G network provides up to 3.6/7.2 Mbps of download speed, making it possible to enjoy a variety of feature-rich wireless multimedia services, and it gives you the advantage of offering simultaneous voice and data services.Additionally, this phone is also compatible with 2100 MHz 3G networks found in international territories. (For use outside the United States, an AT&T international data plan is recommended.) When traveling outside the U.S., you can enjoy wireless voice coverage in more than 215 countries and wireless data coverage in more than 185 countries–as well as access ultra-fast 3G mobile broadband services in more than 100 countries. In areas where the 3G network is not available, you’ll continue to receive service on the AT&T EDGE network, which offers availability in more than 13,000 US cities and along some 40,000 miles of major highways. Providing average data speeds between 75-135Kbps, it’s fast enough to support a wide range of advanced data services, including full picture and video messaging, high-speed color Internet access, and email on the go.

The full-featured, premium AT&T Navigator GPS navigation application includes audible turn-by-turn directions, real-time traffic updates and re-routing options, and 3D moving maps (additional charges applicable). AT&T Navigator offers several other features to make your commute more enjoyable and reliable, including mobile access to Yellowpages.com. Additionally, AT&T Navigator is the only mobile phone-based GPS service that provides integrated speech recognition for address entry and points of interest search.

Learn More

Powered by the Android OS, you can customize your Motorola BACKFLIP with thousands of apps available via the Android Market.

The Motorola BACKFLIP runs the Android operating system, which provides easy access to a wide assortment of messaging tools and Google apps. With Android, you’re able to richly personalize the entire theme of the Motorola BACKFLIP with new widgets, icons and wallpapers–which can be added directly on the home screen–in order to truly make it your own.Developed by Motorola, MOTOBLUR is an innovative solution that manages and integrates communications–from work e-mail to social networking activity–on your BACKFLIP. Updates to contacts, posts, messages, photos and more are streamed together and synced from sources including Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, Gmail, and work and personal e-mail. MOTOBLUR automatically delivers these updates to the home screen in easy-to-view streams so there is no need to open and close different mobile applications to keep up with the latest content.

5 Responses to “Motorola BACKFLIP Android Phone (AT&T)”

1. Yvonne Conley says:

   July 5, 2010 at 12:00 am

   I bought this phone on father,s day 2010 . I prefered it over the Apple IPhone G4 which turned out to be a better choice for now. Before I upgrade my cell phones, I do alot of reading on what I like about the chorse. I want all my feachers to work no matter how small are large. First I was told by Motorola Android support then by at&t sales teck that my Audible touch tones and Audible selections worked, but were very low. There’s no adjustment setting that i’ve found so Android support walked me through a master reset,NO RESULTS. AT&T sales rep . says only the display models work, and it would be the same if i get an exchange WHY. I’ve did research to find out Android 1.5 is to be upgraded to 2.1 When and what’s the difference, please let me know. The phone is grate i like it very much, but the little things are payed for too. Beware.
2. I. Kim says:

   July 2, 2010 at 12:00 am

   Don’t get this phone for an android phone.

   Although it is supposed to be an android, you will find this phone short of full android expectation.

   This phone runs outdated Android 1.5 (the latest as of July 2010 is Android 2.2 – so outdated that it will not connect to some plain old WIFI networks), and moreover, AT&T has severely crippled features. And the phone is locked by certificates, so there’s no chance the phone can be rooted.

   You can read it from the PC World article “Motorola Backflip on AT&T: Not the Full Android Experience”, and read the post “Is the backflip eligible for the Android 2.0 or 2.1″ on this page. (There are over 300 posts to this thread.)

   [...]
3. Gina Gargus says:

   June 20, 2010 at 12:00 am

   My Backflip got sent back within a week. If I would use it, for apps or calls, for more than 5 minutes at a time it would get hot to the touch. On calls, it would get so hot that my cheek would turn red from the heat. I personally do not recommend the Backflip.
4. Alex B. says:

   June 17, 2010 at 12:00 am

   My wife and I bought bought this phone about four months ago. It is definitely packed with a lot of cool features and is therefore fun to use. I won’t go into all of the details about the features since most of them are already listed so I will mainly focus on the problem areas.

   PROS: It is easier to update your status on Facebook then it is to do a search for a contact and call them or send them a message. If you would rather play around on FB and not call people then this is a major pro. Of course you can add speed dials but if you have a lot of contacts to search through then it can be annoying trying to find someone to call or text.

   - The camera is great. Even at 5MP the pictures look great. Plus you can edit pictures (such as contrast, add word balloon, bunny ears, etc.) and you can easily text them to people and of course upload them to FB.

   - The keypad is sealed and really comfortable to use. The backtrack is also cool when navigating the phone but I actually don’t use it all that much. You can also disable it if you want.

   - The screen and graphics look really amazing. Everything on the internet looks great and it’s fun to search the web. I downloaded the Wikipedia app so you don’t have to open up the explorer to look up something on Wikipedia.

   - As mentioned, the homescreen is customizable. You can but icons where you want and change the clock, etc. I really like the layout and navigating it is fun.

   Now for the CONS:

   First of all, if you are really into emails and text messaging DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT buy this phone!!! Texting and emails are for the most part bad to good. If you send one or too texts here and there then you are fine. But I have had many times where I will reply to someone in a text and it gets sent to someone else. Also, if you and someone else are texting back and forth it sends the phone into memory overload. My wife and I have texted back and forth several times and basically, if you are typing while the other person is sending you a message then the phone freezes and your words don’t even show up until the other message gets through. It’s extremely frustrating.

   Emails are ok, but do not try to depend on it for work like with a Blackberry. Several times I have sent email from it that never got to the recipient. And it even showed that it had been sent. Also, most emails take at least 5 to 10 mins to even show up on the phone! For example, when facebook emailed me notifications, I wouldn’t get the email until I actually went to FB on the browser and saw that there was a new notification. But of course I didn’t get alerted to this until at least 5 mins. later.

   Also, the touchscreen can be very stubborn. At times it will move through everything no problem then I will touch something and it accidentally calls someone. Then I try to end the call and it just sits there calling away. Plus, there is the screen lock button I always press before I put it in my pocket. Many, many times I will lock it then pull it out of my pocket several minutes later and find that it had opened all kinds of apps or that it was typing a bunch of nonsense on my Facebook update.

   There are also calling issues. My wifes phone, and this lady I work with have had this issue several times where they will call someone but the other person can’t hear them. They had to full power off the phone several times to get it to start working again. I also had an issue once where my wife was calling me and I kept sliding the bar to answer the phone but it never picked up the call!! My wife got mad at me for not answering the phone even though I tried several times. I finally had to do a full power off and it resolved the issue.

   I think several of these issues will be resolved if they ever release the 2.0 version of Android for this phone. As for the lagging performance, unfortunately I think that has a lot to do with the fact that the CPU is only 528Mhz. which is just pathetic.

   Overall, I still like the phone despite it’s drawbacks. I would recommend it to friends unless they had an iPhone. I will keep this pig around until it starts to get to another layer of Hell then I will eventually get an iPhone. At least it’s fun to take pictures and it keeps you being a Facebook hound.
5. Parupudi says:

   June 13, 2010 at 12:00 am

   This is my first smartphone. I did not want to buy an iPhone.I loved Motorola Backflip as soon as I opened the box.

   - Nice touch screen and awesome display

   - Android OS is very easy to learn and user-friendly

   - Qwerty keyboard is a delight.Keys are really well-spaced and very convinient compared to the virtual keyboard.I am still not used to the virtual keyboard.Spell-check feature is good as well.

   - I listen to lot of internet streaming radio hence I use up my charge in a day.But otherwise, battery is pretty decent.

   - Compared to my old phone(Sony Ericsson), I feel ringer volume and other volumes are low on this one but good enough

   - Multiple homepages (5) is helpful.And multiple browser windows absolutely rocks !!

   Overall, a good android phone for anyone who is looking for something different than iPhone.

   UPDATE 6/21/2010: It has restarted a couple of times automatically.Otherwise, the phone is great.