Vodafone delays Sony Ericsson Xperia Play launch

TELCO OPERATOR VODAFONE has delayed its Sony Ericsson Xperia Play launch date.

It seems that the mobile device formerly known as the Playstation phone is having trouble getting out of the barn. Telco operator Vodafone has cancelled the 1 April date only one day before launch and did so by mailing customers who had pre-ordered the phone. It pinned the blame on Sony Ericsson for the delay.

Vodafone told The INQUIRER that all of the Xperia Play stock heading its way was affected by Sony Ericsson's shipping issues, hence the delay.

"Unfortunately, this means there will be a small delay before pre-order customers receive their orders and the device is made available for sale in our shops," said Vodafone.

"We're working closely with Sony Ericsson to ensure our customers' phones are delivered as soon as possible and we will contact people directly with specific timescales when we know more."

The Android Gingerbread Xperia Play phone was already beset with problems earlier this week when O2 announced a delay. O2 said the phone's software was too buggy to release on 1 April and postponed the planned launch. µ