As all of you might know, Google Android is a mobile phone operating system that is open-source. Meaning that developers can develop as much as they please, ideas can be shared, and everything is open. More specifically, by defualt all Android phones allow you to install non-Android market apps.
AT&T has removed that feature. So besides the Backflip looking weird, running Android 1.5, using Yahoo! search instead of Google, AT&T’s bloatware apps that are included in each handset, and now not being able to install non-Market apps is impossible. How much more can you cripple an Android? What’s worse is that other hardware — the Dell Mini 5 for example, and even the HTC Desire — might get the same treatment.
Source: AndroidandMe
