Motorola Backflip Offers New Navigation Interface

Motorola's New "Backflip" offers a new way of navigating Web pages. The Backflip allows you to navigate its screen by touching a panel behind it, thus keeping fingers off of the screen. The Backflip, which runs on AT&T's 3G network, costs $100 after a $100 mail-in rebate and a two-year agreement.

Its name comes from its design: The Backflip's screen seems to flip backward when the QWERTY keyboard flips down for use. In the device's "closed" position, the keyboard flips back up and is automatically turned off.

AT&T Will Use Yahoo as Default Search Engine on Motorola's Android-Based Backflip

AT&T apparently will launch the Motorola Backflip, its first Android device, pre-loaded with Yahoo, not Google, as the default search engine. The move is one more example of the growing complexity of value chains in the communications business, where access provider, handset manufacturer and application providers have distinct interests.

In a less-direct sense, the moves also are evidence that the days of the old Internet have changed. These days, there are lots of business deals and arrangements that shape user access to experiences on the Internet and World Wide Web, and which demonstrate that there are numerous "gatekeeper" roles now being played by a variety of participants.

Other Google apps, such as Gmail, Google Maps, Google Talk, Android Market and YouTube, remain.

It’s unclear if T-Mobile will ever have to do the same. It’s been about two years since T-Mobile USA launched its first Google phone, and it has yet to replace Google’s search on Android devces with Yahoo, despite having a similar exclusive partnership with Yahoo.

Last year, Microsoft got exclusive right to manage mobile search and advertising on Verizon’s handsets.

While Bing has been installed on several phones, including BlackBerry devices, Verizon’s Motorola Droid and HTC Droid Eris, come pre-loaded with Google’s search as the default.

Default settings still are seen as valuable because many users do not customize their application profiles on smartphones.

New York Times story

AT&T to Add an Android?

Earlier in 2009, Motorola indicated that it plans to release as many as 20 handsets in 2010 running Google's Android platform.

It appears AT&T will be launching at least one Android device in 2010, said by some observers to be called the "Backflip" or "Enzo,"

The device is rumored to run "MOTO BLUR," software that syncs Facebook, MySpace and Twitter updates with no log-ins and no apps to open.

Perhaps you would expect this, but at least some rumors suggest the AT&T Android device will not come preloaded with any Google apps except for Maps. Some people won't like that, but the point is that users can buy Androids that do feature Google apps, either on other Android devices sold by AT&T, or Android devices sold by other carriers. And there will be the Nexus One as well.

The whole idea of "open" neworks and devices is that diversity will happen. Some people might not like AT&T "dictating" what software load is on the device when purchased. Others might simply say that it is an option. If any user doesn't like it, don't buy it. That's the whole idea of the benefits openness brings. Users get choice.

The "Opus One" is said to be Motorola's first iDEN-based Android phone. That means it will work on Sprint Nextel's iDEN network and offer features such as walkie-talkie calling. According to the Boy Genius, it will run Android 1.5 with iDEN service enhancement.