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MIT's Mini Cheetah robot knows how to do backflips
MIT's original Cheetah robot is already quite nimble on its feet, but there's now a smaller counterpart that might put it to shame. Researchers have shown off a new Mini Cheetah that can pull off a number of slick moves, including backflips -- it's the first four-legged robot to pull off the feat, according to MIT. It can also walk upside-down Exorcist-style, pick itself up after falls and trot at a relatively brisk 5.5MPH on less-than-smooth terrain.
Daily iPhone App: Gizmonauts is DragonVale, but with robots
Backflip Studios' biggest hit is still Paper Toss, an early app that has you throwing a paper ball into a wastebasket, and has been downloaded over 24 million times. But the company has grown a lot since that initial game was released, and these days works almost more like a major gaming studio than a smaller development house. Founder Julian Farrior hired some big-league art talent (from Insomniac Games) to create the company's first freemium hit DragonVale, and Backflip is back at the cute farming-style genre with its latest release, Gizmonauts. As you can see in the video below, there's not a lot of new action in this one -- it's DragonVale, except instead of raising dragons, you're raising robots. But these games are pretty clear as it is: You build habitats (here called zones), buy robots to live in them, collect money from the robots, use that money to build more, buy "snax" for your robots to eat and level up. If, like me, you played a lot of DragonVale, you'll probably play just as much of Gizmonauts. The game is free, and of course there are in-app purchases available, though Backflip does a great job of making them really unnecessary for all but the most impatient of players. Next time, it'd be nice to see a little more innovation on a game like this -- maybe a little more gameplay, or just something besides the standard build/profit/build cycle. But Gizmonauts is well worth the price, so grab it if you're into farming up pets for fun and profit.
Daily iPhone App: DragonVale
DragonVale is the newest game from Backflip Studios, a company we've covered in detail here on the site before. It represents kind of a new direction for the company, too -- so far, CEO Julian Farrior and his team have gone after mostly ad views, selling cheap or even free apps to lots and lots of people, and then using ads to monetize them. And Farrior has always said that he's open to monetizing apps in all kinds of ways, so here's another: DragonVale is Backflip's take on the popular freemium model going around lately. The idea is that you're raising a farm of dragons, more or less, and all of the standard "Farmville" style rules apply: hatch dragons into habitats which earn you money, enabling you to build more dragons and habitats all the way up the chain. And DragonVale isn't a bad example of this game -- it builds up nicely, the art is colorful and fun (Backflip actually hired a former Insomniac Games artist who previously worked on the Ratchet and Clank series), and everything runs quite smoothly. If you're a fan of the genre (or want an easy and comfortable way to see what it's all about), DragonVale is worth checking out. It'll be interesting to see how this goes for Backflip as well -- as I said, generally the company has depended on larger audiences to support its games, and a title like this definitely could use a big audience, but even moreso requires that dedicated group of players willing to commit a few bucks (or more) to buying the in-game currency. If this all goes well for Backflip, we might see lots more of this from them in the future.
iControlPad finally available for order, shipping next week
The iControlPad hasn't been flirting with vaporware status for quite as long as Duke Nukem Forever but certainly long enough to make us wonder if we'd ever be able to use it to kick some in-game butt before we ran out of bubblegum. We've been tantalized by this formerly iPhone-exclusive adapter since way back in 2008, when it was going to be a simple case with a dock connector that would let you control those emulators with greater ease. It's grown significantly since then, the latest version shown above -- the final version, as it happens. It's now available for order at a cost of $74.99, and we're happy to say that ditching that dock connector and going for Bluetooth has expanded support well past the iDevice crowd, including things like the Motorola Blackflip, Blackberry Touch, and the now-classic G1. However, we're told not all games and emulators will work with the thing, so your mileage may vary. First devices ship next week, so make with the clicking. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Motorola Backflip getting limited Android 2.1 rollout today, all markets on November 9th
It's been a long road, but users of AT&T's rather bizarre Motorola Backflip will finally be seeing upgrades to Android 2.1 -- upgrades that were originally promised in the first half of the year, then delayed to the third quarter, then delayed once again. Enough with the bellyaching, though, eh? A thousand customers who volunteered to get the update early via Motorola's support forums should've started getting access to it today, while "all markets" will receive it on November 9th -- and interestingly, it'll only be available as an offline update (in other words, no over-the-air option here). The update process will take up to a whopping 40 minutes, so be sure to make yourself a quick bite to eat before you sit down to undertake this operation. [Thanks, anonymous tipster]
Motorola Milestone to get Android 2.2 in Europe and Korea in late Q4, Dext 2.1 upgrade looking bleak
Until now, Milestone owners could do nothing but to envy Droid users rocking the Froyo upgrade; however, according to Motorola's recently published timeline, the former device is now slated for the same dessert party in Europe and Korea in Q4 -- specifically, "beginning at the end of this year," which could well mean the majority of users won't get the update until 2011 (!). Meanwhile, said upgrade is still "under evaluation" for Canada, Latin America, Mexico and Asia-Pacific sans Korea. But here's the real heartbreaking news from the same chart: unlike their American counterparts, the Dext and Backflip will not be getting an Eclair update in Europe, Latin American and Mexico, while Canada and Asia-Pacific still have a glimpse of hope. Sure, it's not like Motorola's earlier timeline laid any concrete details for the European Dext, but there was definitely a date for the Latin America flavor. What concerns us the most is that back in January, Motorola did make a promise -- which has since been deleted but forever cached by Google -- to its European fans on Facebook: "[the] Dext will get the Android 2.1 upgrade as well." We have the full shameful statement after the break. In case you still care, other devices mentioned in the timeline include the US-only Devour (no 2.1 update), Cliq XT / Quench (2.1 in late Q3 / early Q4; under evaluation for Canada and Asia-Pacific), Droid X (Froyo upgrade in late summer, which we knew), Motoroi and Titanium (2.2 in Q4 in Korea for both). If you're still mourning over the canned update for your Dext, let us remind you that there's no stopping you from updating your Android slider manually; alternatively, there's no harm in sending Sanjay a nice postcard, either. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in] Update: Miraculously, the offending Facebook status link is now back online...
Motorola Backflip gets a software update, still flips the wrong way
If you were hoping sort of magical patch that made the Backflip flip normally, replaced Yahoo search with Google, and erased any trace of AT&T crapware, well... you can just keep on hoping, but all things considered, Motorola's just-released update for the phone seems like a must-have. Most importantly, better battery life and system stability are promised along with improved network and Bluetooth performance and a host of other tweaks -- and interestingly, they also make mention of better performance from downloaded apps, though this doesn't have anything to do with the current sideloading restriction as far as we can tell. It's also not Android 2.1 just yet, but with any luck, that's still in the pipeline.
AT&T explains, basically ignores criticism for locking down Android handsets
When the Moto Backflip launched we were a wee bit miffed that AT&T stuffed its ROM with what our esteemed Chris Ziegler referred to as "unremovable crapware." But, even more annoying was the handset being locked down to only accept apps installed via the Android Market, preventing users from the wealth of other goodies floating around these great internets. A few months on the situation is still the same for the HTC Aria and the company is responding directly to criticism with a statement that indicates it's all in your best interests: AT&T selected Android Market as the exclusive source for applications because it forces developers to be accountable for the apps they submit. If the Android community has issues with an app, the app can be flagged and removed. This minimizes the risk of malicious apps harming customers and provides more protection to the customer's private data stored on the phone. There, don't you feel safer now?
Motorola Backflip comes to Telus
Moto promised the Backflip (among other Android-powered wares) to its Canadian fans back in March, and it's now delivering thanks to an official launch on Telus. As you can clearly see, the phone isn't quite the same thing that AT&T customers are grabbing -- the outer bezel is a darker shade, something we suspect a good deal of users might prefer -- but otherwise, it's got the same processor, 5 megapixel camera, 3.1-inch HVGA display, and wacky hinge that we're already well-accustomed with. Whether that's a good thing or not... well, we'll leave that for potential buyers to decide, but you can pick it up for CAD $100 (about $99) on a three-year deal.
Motorola Backflip now scheduled to get Android 2.1 update in Q3
Decide to go with Motorola's unconventional Backflip over an Android phone with a more traditional form factor? Then it looks like you'll have to wait a bit longer than most to get the Android 2.1 firmware update. According to a newly published timeline from Motorola itself, the Backflip is now scheduled to receive the update sometime in the third quarter of this year, compared to the second quarter for the CLIQ and now-ish for the Droid -- the Devour upgrade is apparently still "under evaluation." Of course, all of this can still change and, given Motorola's past history with Android updates, it probably will. [Thanks, Tony]
Motorola Backflip doesn't allow non-Market apps, proves AT&T doesn't get Android
Let's step into the time warp, shall we? Specifically, we'd like to go back to our interview of AT&T Mobility CEO Ralph de la Vega at MWC last year when we asked him about the carrier's support for Android (or lack thereof): Chris: Okay, and expanding on that a little bit, I heard you speak at CTIA last year and you mentioned that... you mentioned basically the same comments about Android at that time. You said that you thought that it was promising, you liked what you saw, but that was at a time when there were a lot of questions about why AT&T wasn't in the OHA. I'm wondering if your thoughts, your opinions have changed since then. Has AT&T's direction with Android changed at all? Ralph: No, actually, I think that they have been somewhat validated in that... we like the Android as an operating system on its own, but we want to make sure that we have, and customers have the option, to put applications on that device that are not just Google applications, so when the G1 came out and T-Mobile launched it, it's primarily a Google phone. And we want to give customers the choice of other applications on that device, not just the same Google applications. Chris: So you're basically waiting for Android to be de-branded, so to speak? Ralph: Well, to be open. (Laughter.) Right? I mean, the whole idea behind Android is that it's gonna be an open OS, and so I don't wanna roll an open OS to market that has primarily Google apps on it, and I think that's gonna happen. I mean, I see a lot of activity, I think it's got a good future, and I think it makes a lot of sense that the OS is open-source, separate from Google apps that are also very good. A year later, enter the Motorola Backflip -- AT&T's very first Android device. Does it hold true to de la Vega's principles? Well, it depends on whose glasses you read the statements through. Yes, true, it definitely doesn't have "primarily Google apps on it" thanks to the carrier's questionable decision to remove Google search and replace it with Yahoo -- but as for giving "customers the choice of other applications," that's another matter altogether. It seems that Backflips are being shipped without the ability to turn on non-Market installations, meaning that AT&T has effectively locked you into getting all of your content through the walled garden. Add in the Yahoo debacle and the egregious amount of unremovable crapware they've left in ROM, and we start to wonder: why did AT&T bother partnering up with Android if they weren't going to take it seriously? Certainly doesn't bode well for the Mini 3 and the rest of the pack, now, does it?
Motorola Backflip now on sale at AT&T
Heads-up, kids -- AT&T's first-ever slice of Android is now available. Just let that sink in a minute. Feels good, doesn't it? Motorola's Backflip has gone on sale just as promised, and that debatably awesome Blur action can be yours for $99.99 after mail-in rebate and a 2-year agreement. So, you pulling the trigger, or you are you waiting for whatever Dell and / or HTC are bringing to the party? [Thanks, mittens]
Motorola Backflip, DEXT, and Quench all inbound for Canada in the first half of the year
Without naming names, Motorola's Canadian outpost dropped some teasers today that versions of all three of its midrange Blur-powered Android handsets for GSM networks -- the Backflip, DEXT, and Quench -- will be coming to the country in the first half of 2010. What's more, they'll be hitting "all three national wireless carriers" -- a little bit of a slap for Mobilicity and WIND, yes, but generally good news for the overwhelming majority of subscribers. Perhaps the most interesting bit here is that they've called out the DEXT by name, continuing Moto's tradition of going with European branding over American for its Canadian launches, a trend started by Telus' Milestone. We don't yet know which carrier will get which phone, what they'll retail for, or precisely when they'll be on shelves, but needless to say, the Google-powered situation north of the border just got a whole lot prettier.
Motorola Backflip for AT&T unboxing and hands-on
We've just taken delivery of an AT&T-branded Motorola Backflip -- the carrier's very first Android device -- and we wanted to share with you our magical first moments putting the phone through its paces. Here's a quick rundown of our first impressions: It feels solidly-built -- probably a notch better than the CLIQ. There's no wiggle or weirdness in the hinge whatsoever. Of course, we know from personal experience that "feels solidly-built" doesn't necessarily mean it is solidly-built, so the jury's still out on how it'll hold up with regular use, especially with the keyboard exposed full-time. Opening and closing the phone isn't a natural one-handed operation, unless you're comfortable putting it at extreme risk of an unfortunate tumble. It's laggy right out of the box, which doesn't bode well for usability once you load it up with your own apps. Of course, it uses exactly the same processor as the CLIQ, so that doesn't come as a surprise. It's filled to the brim with pre-loaded AT&T stuff: AllSport GPS, AT&T Maps, AT&T Music (which takes the place of the standard Music app), AT&T Navigator, AT&T Wi-Fi Hotspots, Mobile Banking, MobiTV, MusicID, Where, and YPmobile. We strongly prefer the approach of offering a special branded Android Market portal where you can download your carrier's recommended apps. Blur looks and feels the same as it does on the CLIQ, though the main Blur widgets -- Social Status, Messages, and Happenings -- have been moved one home screen left of the main one (we prefer this configuration anyhow). Yahoo has replaced Google as the default search provider throughout the phone. It's crazy: the home screen widget, the browser, everything's been programmed to use Yahoo. We love us some irony, but golly, we'd prefer Google searches most of the time. It spontaneously rebooted for us once in about an hour of use -- a concerning sign, particularly considering Motorola's inability to pump out a solid firmware for the CLIQ -- but we'll need a little more time with it. Want more right now? Follow the break for some more impressions, video, and a sample shot from the camera.%Gallery-86751%
Keepin' it real fake, part CCLV: ME600 rips Motorola Backflip down to its shivering Blur skin
There are many of us simple humans who "just don't get" the Motorola Backflip. Their poor minds can't fathom this oddest of twists on the QWERTY flip, and now here comes the "MOTOROIA" ME600 from Shenzhen to wrap their brain into ever more elaborate pretzel knots. The phone is a pretty faithful reproduction, but it's a bit thicker, has a mere VGA camera, and doesn't run Android -- despite that hint of Blur on the home screen. [Thanks, xleung]
Android-powered Motorola Backflip headed to AT&T on March 7 for $100 on contract
AT&T just got its first Android-powered smartphone (four more coming this year) in the HSPA 7.2-capable Motorola Backflip. The Motoblur device with reverse flip design and 3.1-inch touchscreen packs GPS, WiFi, and a 5 megapixel autofocus camera with flash and camcorder function that neatly integrates with social media sites like Facebook and Twitter or photo sharing sites like Picasa. It lands March 7th for $100 after $100 rebate and two-year contract with smartphone data plan. AT&T promo video after the break.%Gallery-85912%
Motorola Backflip spotted in the wilds of China
Motorola's Backflip has yet to springboard itself over to AT&T, but those who call China home can hop on the bandwagon right away. Said phone -- which sports a full touchscreen and a physical QWERTY thanks to the horizontal clamshell design -- is now available from Moto's Chinese portal for 4,298 Chinese yuan (in unlocked form), which translates to right around $630. While the rest of the world awaits the phone's launch later this quarter, you can hit up Mobile.163.com for a downright beautiful gallery of in the wild shots. Go on, it's safe. We think. [Thanks, Me]
Motorola Backflip promo spot reminds us what rock and roll is all about
Remember when men were men and guitar riffs were boring and mindless? Moto does. The company has thrown together a little animated spot demonstrating its new Backflip handset. If you're the sort of person who has trouble conceptualizing objects in 3D space -- particularly objects that run Moto Blur and have an oddly oriented keyboard that flips backwards to face out from the back of the device -- this video should work wonders for you. If you're the sort of person who burned your Big Muff fuzzbox in effigy on New Year's Eve, you might want to rip your computer speakers out right about now. Video is after the break, and don't forget to check out our hands-on with the phone for a deeper, more staid look.
A quick sitdown with Motorola co-CEO Sanjay Jha
We had a chance to catch up for a minute with the man tasked with turning around Moto's phone business, Mobile Devices CEO Sanjay Jha, just moments before he went on stage to introduce the Backflip this week at CES. With Android getting more attention than ever before, it's never been a better time to sit down with a guy who's gone all-in with the platform, right? He talks Nexus One, Google, firmware updates, Blur, and more, so don't be shy -- read on for the full transcript!
Motorola Backflip hands-on
We're not quite sure what to make of the Backflip just yet -- closed, it looks almost exactly like a CLIQ, but the keyboard (which rests on the outside of the device) is allegedly rugged enough to withstand a beating. Rugged or not, we're worried about feel -- believe it or not, it has even less tactile response to it than the Droid, putting it a distant third in Moto's QWERTY Android efforts so far. Obviously we'll need a good deal more time to gel our opinion, but out of the gate, we're not encouraged. 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!%Gallery-81826%
