Woah woah woah peace!
I actively encouraged my girlfriend to get this phone and it is in the mail now. And I would most likely buy one right now if I could afford it/the data package.
I have an e71x and loved it despite it being "crippled" so I have some idea where you are coming from enjoying a phone despite it not being the "original".
I am by no means trying to bash the backflip itself.
The reason I mention power of devices is because, the more functional device is (sorry functionality and power aren't the same, Poor choice of words is a fatal flaw of mine). The more flexible it becomes. The more flexibility devices have the more we can do with them. In this case remove whatever software was added that is unwanted, or add features that were taken out.
To be honest I am not even 100% sure what has been modified by at&t. However, the e71x had several features removed that would have been nice to have.
I knew the e71x had been crippled, I still got it. I know the backflip has been crippled, I still would get one in a heart beat. Its my understanding they prevent non market apps from being downloaded among a few other issues.
However, please try to understand my outrage on the subject. I am an avid supporter of all open source software so for at&t to *get* this phone, then cripple it is completely against the point of open source in general.