Late last night I could have sworn I heard a commercial for the Motorola FLIPOUT on TV. I was tired, slipping in and out of consciousness (I was just tired, nothing more, I promise you!), but I remember thinking to myself, ‘hey, is that Moto’s strange looking swivel device?’… and then I fell asleep.
This morning, it looks like what I ‘thought’ I saw is confirmed, as Motorola has officially launched the FLIPOUT. If ‘awkward’ and ‘square’ are two terms you like to use to describe your mobile device of choice, the FLIPOUT will be the device for you. Packing Android 2.1, the FLIPOUT also features an enhanced version of MOTOBLUR. Key functionality and feature updates on this include:
- Happenings and Messages widgets – filter by social networking account, by contact(s) or by contact group to only see the information you want
- Screen customization – move and resize preloaded widgets on up to seven home screens
- Battery Manager – manage battery consumption by operating in one of three performance modes
- Data Manager – monitor data usage from the home screen to better manage pay-as-you-go and limited data plans
- Personal and Corporate e-mail – pushed directly to the device
- Re-tweet capabilities
The FLIPOUT is definitely something new for consumers to consider. I’m honestly not a huge fan of the swivel design, but, that said the design makes the device extremely ‘pocketable’. Just swivel the darn thing closed, toss it in your pocket, and you’re good to go. The Motorola FLIPOUT also features WiFi, GPS, a 2.8″ QVGA disaplay, 7.2Mbps HSDPA, 512MB of internal memory and a 3 megapixel camera.
While pricing on the Motorola FLIPOUT is still up in the air, we do know at this point that it will hit European shores sometime this quarter. Make the jump for the full press release and some teaser video goodness.
Motorola FLIPOUT™ with MOTOBLUR™: Stylishly Square & Pocket Perfect
Multi-touch screen pivots to reveal QWERTY keypad on Motorola’s latest Android-based smartphone
BASINGSTOKE, UK – June 2, 2010 – Motorola (NYSE: MOT) today announced Motorola FLIPOUT with MOTOBLUR™, a stylishly square and compact smartphone that’s as individual as its users.
Launching in Europe from Q2 2010, FLIPOUT runs on Android™ 2.1 and features an innovative square pivot design that opens to reveal a five-row QWERTY keypad with a separate row for numeric keys. FLIPOUT features up to seven customizable home screens, live wallpapers and added security for exchange server users. It also offers enhanced MOTOBLUR features making it easier to follow who and what really matters to you.
“FLIPOUT merges Motorola’s design heritage with Android to deliver a new take on the typical smartphone form. In an incredibly compact square, FLIPOUT fits neatly in your palm, purse or small pocket, making it fun and easy to stay connected while on the go,” said Ralf Gerbershagen, vice president and GM, Mobile Devices, Western Europe, Motorola. “For fans of social networking, FLIPOUT also features enhancements to MOTOBLUR, allowing users to connect with their networks however they want.”
FLIPOUT’s array of colors will be country-specific and could include Licorice, Fairway Green, Raspberry Crush, Brilliant Blue, Poppy Red, Saffron or White.
Enhanced MOTOBLUR?MOTOBLUR is Motorola’s exclusive Android experience that syncs contacts, posts, messages, photos and much more — from sources such as Facebook®, MySpace, Twitter™, Gmail™, work and personal e-mail, and last.fm — and automatically delivers them to the home screen. MOTOBLUR automatically backs up contacts, log-in information, home screen customizations and e-mail to a secure server and provides remote data wipe for lost or stolen devices. One username and password restores contacts, messages and connectivity to prior networks and email providers.
FLIPOUT offers enhanced MOTOBLUR functionality and features, including:
- Happenings and Messages widgets – filter by social networking account, by contact(s) or by contact group to only see the information you want
- Screen customization – move and resize preloaded widgets on up to seven home screens
- Battery Manager – manage battery consumption by operating in one of three performance modes
- Data Manager – monitor data usage from the home screen to better manage pay-as-you-go and limited data plans
- Personal and Corporate e-mail – pushed directly to the device
- Re-tweet capabilities
Hear and be heard
FLIPOUT includes CrystalTalk PLUS which improves a caller’s voice quality while filtering out background noise for better conversations. Building on Motorola’s proprietary microphone and speaker configuration, CrystalTalk PLUS adds a second microphone to provide even clearer voice quality, while cutting down background noise.
Web & Multimedia
FLIPOUT brings optimal web and photo browsing to the palm of your hand with multi-touch pinch to zoom, and is Adobe® Flash® enabled which provides access to most content-rich websites.
For music fans, FLIPOUT’s connected media player offers full screen lyric support, integrated song ID and a social solution for knowing what people around you are listening to.
Additional multimedia features include a 3MP camera with digital zoom and KODAK PERFECT TOUCH technology for better, brighter pictures and gallery mode for tagging and labeling of photos. One-touch uploads to Facebook, MySpace, Picasa and Photobucket make sharing your images quick and easy. Also included are video capture, playback and streaming options along with Bluetooth®1 capabilities for wireless calls and music.
FLIPOUT features full Google™ services including Google Search™, Google Maps™, Gmail™ and access to thousands of apps on the Android Market.
Availability?Motorola FLIPOUT with MOTOBLUR will be introduced to Europe from Q2 2010. For more information about availability, please contact your local Motorola representative. To learn more about the device visit YouTube™ or here. To experience MOTOBLUR, please visit www.motorola.com/motoblur.