Microsoft failed to hit its 20 million licenses goal for Windows Mobile in fiscal 2008 coming in ten percent under with about 18 million licenses sold, and Apple’s iPhone may have played a part in that shortfall. Even though the iPhone 3G didn’t ship until after Microsoft’s fourth quarter wrapped up, consumers may have been waiting until after Apple’s launch before making smartphone purchases, according to PC World.

In-Stat analyst Bill Hughes commented "The iPhone 3G is causing people to hesitate."

Analysts have been speculating that many potential smartphone buyers held out until after the iPhone 3G launch on July 11 to decide if Apple’s combination iPod and smartphone would be a better choice than the current Windows Mobile smartphone offerings. Microsoft may have also been counting on stronger consumer sales, even though business users have been the primary buyers of Windows Mobile-based devices.

Microsoft also likely counted on including licenses sold to Sony Ericsson for the upcoming Xperia smartphone. The handheld is, however, running behind schedule and that may have delayed license sales until after Microsoft’s year ended.

While the iPhone 3G didn’t account completely for Microsoft falling short of its Windows Mobile sales goals it did play a part, and if interest in Apple’s smartphone remains high, it could have a bigger impact on Microsoft’s bottom line in 2009.