DALLAS and SCHAUMBURG, USA - A leaked image of what is rumoured to be a new Google Android smartphone, codenamed Motorola Motus, was published by blog Engadget. The latter's sources claim that the handset will be marketed by US network AT&T. Prior reports have also codenamed the handset as Motorola Backflip.

Further, the handset will allegedly defy the conventional design of clamshell devices: by flipping the keyboard the other way, as for it to never be covered. The back side of the keyboard will apparently be touch-enabled, so as to allow scrolling at the same as the user types.

The Motus has a 5 megapixel camera on the keyboard itself. This could be useful for video conversations, although it is not clear whether it will make use of 3G networks for videocalls, or if it will work as a webcam.

In the image the keyboard may seem flat, but the source indicates that the keys are, in fact, "domed" - this feature should at least be part of the final version of the device.

The smartphone could also run on the Qualcomm Snapdragon processor at 1GHz. The previous Android smartphone, CLIQ, ran on a Qualcomm MSN7201A processor at 528MHz.

Motorola's strategy to bet on Google Android has been proving successful, through its partnership with Verizon, who has been promoting the iPhone rival Droid.