According to a recent Reuters article, UK retailers Carphone Warehouse and Phones 4U have withdrawn the Sony Ericsson Satio from general availability after numerous customers reported “software problems.” Whilst there aren’t any specific details of the errors, BBC News is reporting that it is related to “frozen screens and problems with ringtones.” This is rather depressing news for Sony Ericsson, who has had a very turbulent experience in the mobile market in the last few years with massive losses in market share. Sony Ericsson has offered one of its strongest hardware lineups in recent memory with the Satio, Aino, and Yari, which excited many consumers because of their interesting features. However, with retailers in the UK pausing sales, could potential consumers eyeing the Satio for a holiday purchase look elsewhere? It seems likely.

This also casts a dark cloud on the Satio’s release in the USA, if it ever comes this way.

Sony Ericsson said it was “giving this matter its utmost priority and working toward solving it”.