Sony Ericsson Xperia Play pulled by O2 from April release over software 'bugs'

O2 has slammed the Sony Ericsson Xperia Play, pulling it from a planned launch on 1 April. Throwing down the gauntlet to other networks, O2 claims that if it launches as planned, the PlayStation phone "won't give customers a great experience".

O2 claims to have discovered software problems that have forced the network to delay the Play's planned release on 1 April. O2 puts the blame squarely at Sony Ericsson's door in an official blog post.

Stuart Hibberd, chief poker and prodder in O2's testing team, says the team "found some bugs in the software that, if they're not fixed, mean customers won't have a great experience".

O2 is working with Sony Ericsson to address the software problems the testers discovered during their "non-stop" testing over the past few weeks. Neither company would be drawn on exactly what the bugs are or which part of the software they affect.

Despite working with Sony Ericsson, O2 says it won't have the flaws sorted in time for the 1 April launch date, next Friday -- although there's always the possibility it's all an elaborate April Fool's joke.

Sony Ericsson told us the Play will still launch on all other operators, "except for O2, who have decided to prolong the testing period in order to ensure that the software meets the requirements of its procedures".

We've contacted the other networks, but none have confirmed whether they noticed the supposed bugs. Vodafone and Three will launch the phone on 1 April, although Orange is yet to confirm a date. But O2's message is clear: if you buy an Xperia Play on another network, it won't be a great experience.

The delay is a blow for anyone with their heart set on a white Xperia Play, as only O2 will sell the pasty PlayStation. O2 hasn't set a date for when it will begin selling the phone.

When the Play does arrive, here's a sneak peak at some of the big games you could play from Gameloft, including Assassin's Creed: Altair's Chronicles, Spider-Man: Total Mayhem, Brothers in Arms 2: Global Front, Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Conviction and perennial caravan holiday favourite Uno.

Are you prepared to wait for O2, or will you snap up your Xperia Play from another network and cross your fingers for a firmware update? Let us know in the comments or on our Facebook wall.