Motorola registers 'Backflip' name, could be for the Motus

We think there's probably a really good reason why landscape QWERTY handsets don't hinge in reverse, but hey, everyone gets a little wild and crazy once in a while, right? Cellpassion has discovered that Moto has recently secured rights to the "Backflip" name in Europe, which would dovetail nicely with that allegedly leaked image of the upcoming Motus a few days back -- we hadn't really considered it the first time around, but on second look, we can imagine how this wouldn't be your average mechanism here. Sadly, the latest rumors have this thing based on Android 1.5 when it hits next quarter, suggesting that Motorola's having a hell of a time updating BLUR for newer builds -- and that could be a huge sticking point for 'em going forward.

[tande04 Posted Nov 25th 2009 6:33PM]

I can't think of a good reason QWERTY handsets don't hinge in reverse.

All I can think of is good reasons for them too. No added bulk of a second screen and the rumored trackpad navigation this is supposed to have.

I guess we'll see when its actually all said and done. It sounds like a great idea to me. Just wish it wasn't such a bottom barrel phone it was ending up on.

[JayMonster Posted Nov 25th 2009 7:29PM]

It is not just blur, any phone that is not a "Google Experience" phone is currently sitting back on 1.5 and none of them have even hinted as to when they might get to 1.6

Motorola and HTC have all but said (well Motorola did say it), that they considering themselves "software companies" now, and that it is all about their interfaces that they want to differentiate themselves with over the competition. So in other words, they don't give a rats butt about gettting the phone up to the latest version unless there is something that will make their skins look or act better. Otherwise, they look to be content leaving these phones on older versions of Android.

[SParklingCYaNide Posted Nov 26th 2009 9:44AM]

Sounds bizarre I wonder how it will be functional. I'm curious.

[soren121 Posted Nov 27th 2009 8:18AM]

Has anyone noticed that it looks like an iPhone with a slider keyboard?

[timmat79 Posted Nov 30th 2009 10:33PM]

Saw one this past weekend in person (family member at Moto). It does have a "back" trackpad and will be running Android 1.5, on AT&T.