Redmond-based Microsoft has retracted from Chief Executive Steve Ballmer's claims that the next version of the Windows operating system, Windows 8, would be available next year for PCs and tablets.

Earlier on Monday, Ballmer used a developers’ conference in Tokyo to announce that Windows 8 would be available in 2012 on several devices.

Retracting from Ballmer’s claims, a spokesperson for Microsoft on Wednesday said the announcement about Windows 8 was a misstatement.

The spokesperson added that the company was eagerly preparing for the next generation of Windows 7 hardware that will arrive in the next fiscal year. And that the company was yet to formally confirm any naming or timing for the next version of Windows operating system.

Separately, Microsoft officially uncovered the latest version of its Windows Phone mobile OS, codenamed Mango, which claims to make Windows devices smarter and easier to use.

The latest Windows Phone software makes it easier for smartphone users to access all text message, e-mail, Windows Live Messenger and Twitter and Facebook chats as it integrates all that in one place.

Mango also uses a mobile version of Microsoft’s Internet Explorer 9 web browser, and will leverage built-in phone competencies like location awareness, camera and microphone to ensure more relevant search results.

Microsoft has plans to release Mango to all Windows Phone customers this fall.