Backflip won't allow third-party Android apps

AT&T's first Android phone, the Motorola Backflip, may have had app supported artificially locked down to a level like the iPhone, early owners have found since the phone shipped Sunday. Where by default Android is supposed to allow installing third-party apps from outside Android Market through a special toggle, the AT&T version of the Backflip omits this feature entirely and limits apps to the store.

The reason for the change hasn't been provided to MobileCrunch, the first to break the story, or to others. AT&T has been contacted by Electronista but doesn't currently have an official response to the claims.

Without the support for apps outside of the market, the Backflip would notably omit apps that AT&T would dislike, including unofficial tethering. While a potential problem for its network, the restriction would prevent less contentious releases from reaching the market, such as beta apps or simply those that prefer to avoid the regular Android Market submission process. It may also raise FCC concerns as policies blocking legal third-party apps may violate future neutrality rules.

To date, all known US Android phones have allowed unofficial app installs, even on networks that don't normally condone the use of tethering or similar potential breaks of terms of service. It has usually only been within Android Market that certain apps would be excluded from a particular carrier.

AT&T's approach more closely mimics that of the iPhone, where apps can normally only install through the App Store. Buyers of Apple phones, however, do still have the option of using apps supplied through Apple's Ad Hoc mode, which supplies a limited number of downloads outside of the official store for testing or learning.

By Electronista Staff