Microsoft delays Windows Phone launch in China until next year

Next week will mark the only-year anniversary of Microsoft’s declaration that Windows Phone 7 would come to China through the second half 2011, however the company has officially stated that it is not going to make the December 31st deadline. Instead, phones with the OS are actually expected to hit the nation sometime inside the first 1/2 2012. Microsoft mentioned that the delay is no less than partially thanks to looking to be certain that Chinese citizens may have a fair experience using the platform ( Nokia mentioned that localization is required in certain aspects of its phones to maintain consistent with the government’s media censorship policy); it wouldn’t come as much of a surprise if we see the primary batch of phones — prone to be made by Nokia, Huawei and / or ZTE , a minimum of — include a fresh install of Windows Phone Tango on them, but that’s mere speculation for now.