Motorola Intros Android Backflip At CES

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Motorola Backflip Smartphone

Adding to its growing portfolio of Android phones, Motorola unveiled its Backflip phone, which features an unusual fold-out keyboard rather than a standard slide-out keyboard.

Launched at the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas Wednesday by Motorola's CEO of Mobile Devices, Sanjay Jha, the device is scheduled to be available in the first quarter.

The Backflip features Motorola's MotoBlur social networking software, which enables users to sync contacts, posts, messages, and photos from e-mail and from a variety of social networking sources including Facebook, MySpace, Twitter.

The fold-out qwerty keyboard is complemented by the Backflip's 3.1-inch HVGA screen and its touch panel Backtrack feature on the reverse side of the handset. The phone also has Wi-Fi and Bluetooth access as well as a 5 mega-pixel camera.

"Since introducing our first Motoblur-based device, we've remained focused on differentiating the Android experience," said Jha in a statement. "Backflip maximizes the multi-tasking and multi-functional potential of Motoblur."

After losing its strong lead in mobile phones, Motorola brought in Jha in 2008 to attempt to regain its footing. A former Qualcomm executive, Jha has concentrated on developing a strong alliance with Google and its Android phones. To date, Motorola has had success with Android phones marketed by Verizon Wireless and T-Mobile in the U.S. as well as in other countries scattered around the world. "Our brand name still has tremendous relevance around the world," said Jha at a CES press conference.

On Wednesday AT&T announced it will offer five Android phones this year, but it did not specify whether the Backflip will be one of them.