Microsoft: Hold off on iPhone and Pre

Tweets hint at big phone-themed Zune launch in June - UPDATED

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12 May 2009 10:32 GMT / By Amy-Mae Elliott

UPDATE: The Twitter account referred to in this story has been revealed as a fake, none of the hints were from a Microsoft employee, please see link below to updated news story.

ORIGINAL NEWS: Despite Microsoft's constant denials that it's to offer a Zune-themed mobile, a tweet from a Microsoft employee has hinted at an iPhone rival due in June.

From a new Twitter account set up to promote the launch of Office 2010, the tweet reads: "New product launch, that's all I'm allowed to say. Hold off from buying an iPhone/Pre. :)"

In addition, and despite the account's supposed Office-bias, a previous tweet states: "June 2009 will be an important month for Zune lovers".

New "HD" Zune PMPs from Microsoft are to be expected this year as part of the range's refresh, but for the Twitterer to position the "new product launch" as an iPhone or Palm Pre rival obviously puts it into the phone category.

Recently we heard rumours from the Wall Street Journal that Verizon Wireless is in talks with Microsoft to offer an iPhone-rivaling device.

The project, code-named "Pink", sees Microsoft working with a third party developer to create a touchscreen multimedia phone, which would tie in with the tweets, but it was not thought to be due until next year.