Motorola Backflip hands-on
By Chris Ziegler 
posted January 6th 2010 9:19PM
posted January 6th 2010 9:19PM
The touchpad on the back of the screen is... well, interesting, but that's about all we can really say about it at this point -- as Sanjay said during the keynote, it'll be up to devs utilizing Moto's API to do the really awesome stuff with it. In the meantime, it acts exactly as you'd expect a trackball or optical pad to work on Android -- just upside down.
In terms of the screen and the Blur experience, it's a dead ringer for the CLIQ, for better or worse -- the big difference, of course, is the fact that the screen can be tilted. The phone's got a sensor so it can detect when the screen's at a 45-degree angle, putting it in a media mode and making it particularly useful as an alarm clock. Would we buy one? We're not sure -- it's no Droid, certainly -- but maybe it doesn't have to be. Check some raw video after the break!
Cool, hopefully this phone is eco-friendly and biodegradable because it's going straight to the junkyard.
@enjoytheride823 i agree there are hundreds of phones that i would buy before this.
i do give them points for having a pretty unique idea.
@enjoytheride823 Of course this is not meant for the hardcore crowd like us. I actually see this is a VERY smart move on Moto's part. I mean, on Tmo, this thing so no recognition cause they never advertised it. But, on ATT, I can see this quickly become THE phone to get for the kidies. I think you're gonna see this thing everywhere.
@enjoytheride823
Agreed! Somebody should be taken out behind the woodshed and beaten for creating such travesty of modern industrial design! Shame on you Motorola! FAIL
@enjoytheride823 does anyone else see motorola's slogan as of late as "Get used to it"?
@Oxyrt That's a good point, but they still need something like the Milestone for the tech junkies...
@ajp19
What are you talking about? Industrial design is about pushing the boundaries and making a cool experience. This is a unique form factor, and if it were Apple launching it instead everyone would be gushing. I'm not saying it's perfect, but it's certainly pretty amazing, and they deserve credit for coming up with something you haven't seen before.
The trackpad on the back is also something new, and could be pretty cool if you think about how it could be used by game developers (who wants to have to click around on things on screen, fidget with keys on a keypad or awkwardly roll around a trackball).
I don't get where people think this is something for "kiddies" and the Droid is somehow for adults? It's every bit as serious a contender. If I hadn't already bought the Droid I'd be looking at this (for BLUR alone).
@0to60 One of the things that interests us MOST is that physical QWERTY keyboard on the back. works very well slightly thinner, slightly shorter both length and width, and lighter than the G1. Hmm, that's more like it but agree that it could just be your average joe phone. backflip Details: http://bit.ly/moto-backlip-details-best-worst
Not exciting in the least.
Just stupid. Why? I would much rather have a slider.
@Peter F
I'm with you on that. And really if you want to put a stupid touch pad why not on the back of the freaking keyboard where your hands are naturally going to be?
It seems like the whole phone was designed around the trackpad and finding some way to protect it. Fail!
@KyleLipp
+1
This is the jacka** of phones!!! complete garbage!!
Terrible choice for your first Android device! Especially being as late as you are to the party! Bad AT&T!!!
@SamTime They've got three Android devices coming to AT&T, as announced in the AT&T Keynote Presentation that was posted earlier today.
@aschettler
They have 5 android devices going to AT&T. 1 Dell, 1 Moto, and 3 HTC's.
personally am not blown away but motorola is going to make some money with this.
I think it looks pretty cool, actually. Not a supermodel, but hot non the less.
How could they have made the KB worse than Droid's?? I thought that was impossible. smh.
@MasterCKO
come to think of it, the Droid's kb is one of the worst I've used. And I've used a lot of kb's for 3 minutes each. So I'd know.
No but really, it's flat as hell, and that defeats the purpose of a hw kb. It's so flat it might as well be a touch screen.
When its closed it looks like a cross between the droid and cliq's edges...
Meh.... After this hands on, I'm not to excited.
I'll keep a Nexus One on Verizon, or a webOS device.
One more day til Palm's Press Event!
shitty gimmick android phone.
really AT&T??
One problem I see with this unique design is that if it's in your pocket, the keys can be repeatedly mashed and can end up doing something to the phone, the keys can mess up, or they'll jam for repeatedly being squished while in the pocket.
The only thing I like about this phone is how they've gotten rid of the dedicated search button. Otherwise it's an interesting idea that doesn't really seem to offer much.
@nerdherd That's where reading the article comes in.
@JONNNathannn What?
Actually, it looks...well...cool. I actually thought that backward folding was a stupid idea...but Motorola's design team is killer. ALL of their recent devices hae made a STATEMENT, whether or not everyone particulary enjoyed Motorola's specific implementation of it.
Of course, I still think that ATT=iPhone, so Android/Google/All other carriers=Pointing and laughing for not havong android and their network. That's how the universe should work, right?
P.S. Engadget, why can't I vote someone up or down without reloading the entire page? D:
wont all those pretty little keyboard buttons come tumbling off if they are left exposed like that?
@lgalex Thats not how they are made, dude. LMAO
TEST
The other android phone in the line up better be good pretty disappointed I wannie a nexus one or droid on AT&T
This thing better be fckg indestructible seeing as how when you set it down it will be ON THE KEYBOARD. Oh and you can forget a case...
That said, I hope this means my tweentastic CLIQ is getting a friggin' update...
its interesting how the top of the device looks exactly like an iPhone just with the big M and their dedicated keys.
pretty weird form factor but it looks cool.
This is a phone I'll eagerly play around with at a store, comment on how the design is so new and fresh...but never seriously consider picking up.
A bummer Moto...but nice to see you guys throwing out new idea. The Droid and Cliq are good devices. Nice to see Moto back on its games. (And most likely to see some WebOS and Android love on AT&T)
Nice keyboard! Looks like Motorola will have to do plenty of Backflips in order to beat Apple and get back on track to what they once were! ^^
I actually like the device, but worry about the feel of the keypad I tried the droid keyboard and it was bad compared to the G1, some people say it breaks in, over time. Maybe this is the same
Too bad the announcement today said 5 Android devices:
1 Moto
1 Dell
3 HTC.
I would have like to think this was the "bottom feeder" for the young crowd with a Droid like upcoming device.
I guess/hope HTC will take care of the high end Android on ATT
It's kinda Bulky and I dont like how the keyboard is on the out side when it closes. Whatever ill never buy one.
this phone sucks
I actually don't know if I entirely hate this device... I mean I don't think I like the keyboard being the back of the phone, but it is a fairly interesting idea. It also kinda found a way to have only one camera that acts as a front facing camera and a regular one, which is kinda neat.
The phone isn't much, but the Backflip is almost guaranteed to be a more budget smartphone and people will buy into that, especially on AT&T.
Plus I like the idea of the hinge and the 'dock mode'. Once 2.1 is loaded on there then it'll perfect to use as a GPS device.
Ready to trade in my iphone.
wheres the battery go?
I like the design, i think it would be awesome if the key were pizo electric to lock them when not in use.
That trackpad on the back of the screen, What a real good idea . It gives a new experience in landscape... It has been confirmed since droid's release: Motorola is back!
I also saw this unit at CES, here is my short video of this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxUzCYFqyxc
Thanks,
Fabian.
Motorola is certainly hitting the cell phone market hot and heavy. It hasn't shown up in their stock price yet but hopefully within the next 2 quarters it will.
I had never owned a Motorola cell phone prior to my Droid but they certainly have a few interesting models out now, I need to get me a Backflip actually.
http://www.backflipforums.com
Looks like with the camera this way we could actually have video conferencing apps work on it.
I bought a backflip and i love it.
it is getting 2.1
The keyboard is way better then droids.
Give it a chance people. i really have no complaintes
the keyboard is recessed so that when you put it on a table the keyboard doesnt touch the table.
I think its a good first android phone.
I cant wait for the nexus 1 and the htc eternity.
Goodbye iphone. iphone is getting kinda boring now.