Motorola Backflip

Motorola BackFlip MB300

Manufacturer	Motorola
Operating system	Android v1.5 (Cupcake), 2.1 (Eclair), can go up to 2.2.1 (Froyo), and 2.3.7 (Gingerbread) via CyanogenMod
CPU	528 MHz Qualcomm MSM7201A processor (overclockable to 748 MHz via root and overclock kernel)
Storage capacity	Flash memory: 256 MB, 199 free; microSD slot: supports up to 32 GB
Memory	RAM: 256MB, ROM: 512MB
Display	320 x 480 px, 3.1 in (79 mm), TFT LCD, HVGA
Input	Capacitive touchscreen, virtual keyboard, flip QWERTY keyboard
Camera	5.0 megapixel with auto focus, geotagging
Connectivity	Wi-Fi (802.11b/g), Bluetooth 2.0+EDR, Micro USB, A-GPS
Dimensions	53.00 x 108.00 x 15.30 mm
Weight	133 g (4.7 oz)

The Motorola Backflip (Motus in some regions) is a touchscreen smartphone released to the U.S. for the AT&T Mobility network on March 7, 2010, and for other countries on Telus and Optus networks. It runs the open source Google Android software.

General features

• The phone is built on the Android platform 1.5.Motorola features Motoblur, which integrates multiple social network service sites on the homescreen. This cannot be uninstalled or disabled unless the phone is modified.

• It has a full QWERTY keypad with a "reverse flip" design. When the device is closed and the screen is visible to the user, the reverse side is the keypad itself. Opening the device causes the screen to flip so that it rests above the keypad.

Specifications

The specifications according to the Motorola website in June 2010:^[1]

Hardware

• Screen size: 3.1-in.
• Screen resolution: HVGA (320 x 480 pixels)
• Weight: 4.7 oz
• Size: 53.0 x 108.0 x 15.3 mm
• Input devices: QWERTY keyboard, touchscreen, Backtrack navigation pad behind screen
• Battery: 1400 mAh Li Ion
• Talk time: 350 min, 6 hrs
• Standby time: up to 315 hrs, 13.5 days
• Processor: 528 mHz (overclockable to 768 MHz via root and overclock kernel)
• RAM: 256MB
• ROM: 512MB
• Memory: up to 32 GB microSD
• Wi-Fi: 802.11b/g
• Bluetooth: 2.0 + EDR and A2DP
• GPS receiver, accelerometer
• Dual microphone with noise cancellation
• Five megapixels with 4x digital zoom
• LED flash and automatic focus
• Video capture rate of 24 fps^[1]

Applications

Users may customize their phones by installing apps through the Android Market;^[2] however, some carriers (AT&T) do not give users the option to install non-market apps onto the Backflip (a policy they have continued with all of their Android phones).^[3] This has created some controversy with users, as the non-market apps are often seen as a useful way to expand a phone's capabilities. Users can circumvent this limitation by manually installing 3rd party apps using the tools included with the SDK while the handset is connected to a computer.

Reviews

Michael Oryl, of "Mobileburn.com," likes the "Backtrack" trackpad on the back of the phone, but points out that large hands often activate it accidentally which can certainly be a problem.^[4] Victor Godinez, of The Dallas Morning News, suggests that the phone is aimed towards social networkers, and points out that the price may be a bit much when compared to the memory of other options like the iPhone.^[5]

System upgrades

On November 9, 2010, a downloadable update, Android OS 2.1 (Eclair) and a compatible version of MotoBlur was released by Motorola for AT&T Backflip customers, U.S. only. The update is unavailable over-the-air (OTA). Since then Eclair is available for phones outside U.S. that are rooted [1] with custom recoveries[2] installed and radio updated. CyanogenMod 7.1 (Android 2.3.7) is available though official nightly builds and a stable release. ^[6]. Other custom roms are also available.^[7]

Overclocking

Overclocking has been made possible on the backflip via overclocking kernels^[8] and direct overclocking^[9]

Multitouch

Since this phone lacks the multitouch feature, a patch was made available for the froyo rom. However many testers have reported problems with the touchscreen which becomes jerky and eventually ceases to operate^[10].

References

1. ^ ^{a b} http://www.motorola.com/Consumers/US-EN/Consumer-Product-and-Services/Mobile-Phones/ci.Motorola-BACKFLIP-with-MOTOBLUR-US-EN.alt
2. ^ Motorola Globally Introduces Backflip with Motoblur, Taking Smart in a Whole New Direction, 6 January 2010
3. ^ Jason Ankeny, AT&T blocks non-market apps from Motorola Backflip, 9 March 2010
4. ^ http://www.mobileburn.com/review.jsp?Id=8975
5. ^ http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/bus/ptech/stories/DN-backflipreview_12bus.ART.State.Edition1.3ce6545.html
6. ^ http://download.cyanogenmod.com/?device=motus
7. ^ http://modmymobile.com/forums/566-motorola-backflip-roms/
8. ^ http://modmymobile.com/forums/566-motorola-backflip-roms/
9. ^ http://modmymobile.com/forums/557-motorola-backflip-development/558897-kernel-patch-overclocked-kernel-748mhz.html
10. ^ http://modmymobile.com/forums/566-motorola-backflip-roms/561709-rom-unofficial-cyanogenmod-v6-1-2-froyo-2-2-1-a.html