Sony Ericsson says smartphone software glitch fixed

STOCKHOLM, Dec 8 (Reuters) - World number four mobile phone maker Sony Ericsson said on Tuesday it had solved the software problem which hit its key smartphone offerings in Britain in the run-up to the key Christmas sales period.

'Sony Ericsson UK and Ireland is pleased to confirm that new software is now available for both Satio and Aino (smartphones),' the company, owned by Ericsson and Sony Corp., said in a statement.

'We can confirm this updated software has been approved by UK operators and fixes previous software issues.'

Smartphones, with advanced mobile Internet and networking functions, have bucked the recent downturn in the handset market and are a key element in Sony Ericsson's plan for returning to profit next year.

However, late in November, Britain's Carphone Warehouse , Europe's biggest mobile phone retailer, temporarily withdrew the recently launched Satio smartphone from sale because of a software problem.

British retailer Phones 4U followed suit.

A few days later, Sony Ericsson also said a number of users of its Aino smartphone had experienced problems with the device's touch screen.

Sony Ericsson said Phones 4u were now selling the Satio smartphone again. Keywords: SONYERICSSON/ (Stockholm Newsroom, tel: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]) COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Reuters 2009. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters.