AT&T Backflip To Ship With Yahoo As Default Search

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AT&T has apparently taken a side in the Google-Apple conflict (allegedly). Their upcoming (and first) Android phone, the unique Motorola Backflip has had all of its Google widgets replaced by the Yahoo equivlents, including the phone’s default search. Google can’t be happy about having their search engine replaced on their own OS.

Since the Motorola Backflip will be running Motorola’s MOTOBLUR UI, not the Google Experience, it’s completely customizable to the carrier’s specifications, and as said, AT&T has decided to remove all Google apps from the phone, as well as making Yahoo (which is really Bing), the default search engine.

It remains to be seen how easily users will be able to install Google apps and change the default search engine but one thing remains – unsophisticated users or users who don’t care will use the default search engine no matter what. This means it’s taking search ad revenue away from Google.

What does this have to do with Apple and the alleged Google-Apple conflict? AT&T on the surface, has no reason to have the default search engine on the phone set to Yahoo and have the Yahoo apps installed. They are friendly with Apple thanks to the iPhone (with AT&T reportedly loving the iPad because now they are getting away with selling iPhone/iPad users a second 3G connection).

So, it would appear that AT&T is supporting Apple by installing Yahoo (which is really Bing) on the Backflip. Of course, there isn’t any solid proof, yet – and you won’t get any answers out of any of the players (at least not directly).

No word on if you’ll be able to change the default search engine or install the Google apps, but does this change the opinions of any perspective Motorola Backflip buyers?