AT&T is to offer the 1st Android phone Motorola Backflip

Motorola Backflip

AT&T, the exclusive provider of the iPhone in the U.S., is going to provide its first Android Phone from Motorola. 

The Motorola Backflip will be added next month to the variety of phones AT&T sells online and in its stores. Offering the Android phone side-by-side with the latest iPhone, which is double the price, will provide customers an opportunity to immediately compare the smartphones.

The Backflip was introduced at the Consumer Electronics Show in January. The handset has a 3.1-inch touchscreen and a full QWERTY keypad on the back of the device. The keypad can be used when the phone is opened flat, but is inactive when the device is closed. When the keypad is tilted backwards at an angle, the Backflip can be used as a digital photo frame, video viewer or bedside alarm clock. 

Other features include a 5 megapixel camera for shooting still photos and videos. The home screen offers widgets that provide easy access to updates, messages, photos and contacts on social networks, such as Facebook, MySpace and Twitter. The mini-apps also simplify posting to the sites.

AT&T plans to sell the Backflip for $100, after a $100 mail-in rebate and a two-year service contract. Pricing for the iPhone 3GS starts at $200 with a two-year service contract. AT&T plans to offer Backflip starting March 7.

The Backflip runs on AT&T 3G broadband network and also includes built-in Wi-Fi support. The phone also includes access to the online Android Marketplace, which offers 20,000 applications.