Though the recently-announced availability of the Motorola Backflip on AT&T marks the carrier’s foray into the Google Android-based smartphones, certain software differences restrict the users from fully experiencing the ‘openness’ that the Android platform is essentially associated with.

Despite the fact that there are a whole lot of pluses going the way of the new Motorola Backflip – its distinctive back-flipping QWERTY keypad; back-of-display touchpad; and a singular form factor, among other things – it clearly does not make ‘full’ use of the open and highly-customizable Android.

The key factor that distinguishes the Google’s Android operating system from its competitors is its ‘open’ approach – whereby users can easily install any applications allowing without requiring the approval of the manufacturer. However, this core principle of the Android has probably being given a miss in the Backflip!

The AT&T’s new Motorola handset, which features only four lines instead of the typical five in the “Applications” menu, does not feature the ‘Unknown sources’ option pertaining to the installation of ‘unofficial’ applications - that is, those outside the official Android Market.

While there have been no formal disclosure about why the Motorola Backflip follows a closed approach, the only rational reason behind the move appears to be the setting up of a restriction on the use of apps that allow tethering; and giving AT&T control over the limited tethering options within the official Android Market.