AT&T Aero Looks To Be Just As Crippled As The Backflip

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A lot of people got excited when AT&T announced that they would be bringing five or so Android phones to their lineup this year. However, their first Android phone, the Motorola Backflip, wasn’t very popular as it featured a heavily modified and locked down version of Google’s popular open mobile OS. Unfortunately, the Dell Aero, another Android phone coming to AT&T, looks to be just as bad.

To recap what made the Backflip so unpopular to the Android faithful: first, the default search engine on the device was “locked” to Yahoo on a command line level. Secondly, the default Google apps on the phone that everybody loves have been “hidden” and replaced by poor AT&T apps that are being described by all as “bloatware”. The final insult? AT&T has turned the Backflip into an iPhone by only allowing apps from the Android Market.

When AT&T’s next Android phone was announced (one Dell Aero) many hoped that the device would be more open that the crippled Android seen on the Backflip, but reports now from blogs who’ve gotten review units (not us – thanks AT&T) are that the Android experience on the Aero is just as bad as it was on the Backflip. Engadget’s Joshua Topolsky on the Dell Aero, “It looks like AT&T and Dell want to turn this device into a glorified featurephone, which is a huge downer — it’s definitely loaded with AT&T bloatware.”

Unlike the Motorola Backflip, the Dell Aero (originally sold in China as the Dell Mini 3i last year) is getting poor hardware reviews. The Aero has a single button for both the “home” button and “back” button, which Mr. Topolsky describes as unnatural, and Engadget wasn’t impressed with the phone’s performance.

However, Dell and AT&T were both quick to point out that the device is unfinished and changes may be made before it ships to retail. Unless they make serious changes, Android fans will want to stay clear of AT&T and their stable of poor devices.