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Microsoft and T-mobile clash on plans for smartphone launch

The launch of Microsoft's "Tanager" smartphone in Portugal was a triumph, with Steve Ballmer doing the announcement himself; but as the Microsoft groupies troupe back to Redmond, there is a shock announcement - T-Mobile has postponed its launch of the same phone.

Microsoft and T-Mobile have issued a joint damage-limitation statement, which doesn't limit the damage by much. They said:

"T-mobile remains committed to launching a Microsoft WindowsPowered smartphone. The exact launch date is still to be confirmed. T-Mobile and Microsoft continue to have a strong working relationship."

But Reuters was much more specific, quoting "a T-Mobile representative" interviewed after a Deutsche Telekom news conference. Since T-Mobile is a Germany-based company owned by Deutsche Telekom, it's reasonable to take this source seriously.

This representative was rather more forthright: "We have decided not to introduce this phone - for the time being, we are not pursuing this project further."

Microsoft sources say this is incorrect, but refused to comment on behalf of T-mobile on "go-to-market plans" saying that it was entirely the responsibility of the carrier when it made further announcements.

Another source suggested that the plans were just delayed; and that "there could be a conflict of interest with other launch plans." For example, this source hinted, if T-Mobile had signed a contract to launch another smartphone - say, a Nokia series 6 - then it might not want to have the two launches too close together.

No information was publicly available as to what timescale was likely, if Microsoft does persuade T-Mobile to go ahead. "We wouldn't get much notice, frankly," said an internal source at Microsoft. "For example, the marketing team in the UK didn't know about the plan to launch the GALP phone in Portugal until the week before - six days before, in fact. So it could be launched this year, even next month, and we might not have a clue."