Microsoft: Even its April Fool was released behind schedule

Microsoft has claimed that its much publicised web-enabled porta-potty was in fact an elaborate hoax released by its UK office.

Microsoft said the iLoo would come complete with a wireless keyboard, plasma screen and high speed web access, but now it is claiming it was merely a poorly timed April Fool - even though it was announced on 2 May.

The iLoo was expected to make an appearance at music festivals such as Glastonbury this summer and the story was picked up by much of the world's press.

But now a Microsoft spokesman in the US has confirmed "it was an April Fools' joke".

However, this retraction is unlikely to convince too many Microsoft watchers. The apparent launch of the iLoo didn't bear any indications of being a joke. For example, public relations representatives for Microsoft commented on the product. A press release, which included comments from MSN executives, was posted on 2 May to the Microsoft UK website, where it remained available for a week.

Similarly the timing - even for a company famed for tardy launches - makes a mockery of the April Fool claim.

Searches on the MSN UK sites Monday indicate that the iLoo press release has been removed since then, although cached versions of the release could still be obtained through a Google search. No company disclaimer to the joke has been published.

Matthew Rosoff, an analyst at Directions on Microsoft, said: "I've never known Microsoft to [to put out a fake press release]." MSN UK did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Confusion even reins within Microsoft's US office. The company's spokesman claimed that MSN UK has indeed engaged in pranks before. He noted that the group once announced that it had wired up a park bench for internet access. However, he then corrected himself, stating that the bench, in fact, was a real demonstration.