The Japanese newspaper Nihon Keizai Shimbun has reported that Sony will delay the
launch of PlayStation 3 until November of 2006. The North American
launch date is still up in the air.
According to the report, issues
surrounding copy protection for Blu-ray discs is the reason for the
delay. If the reports are true (given the source, they probably are),
Sony could miss the key holiday rush in the United States. Official
word from Sony is expected tomorrow.
Rumors have been circulating
about Asustek Computer securing orders for the Sony PlayStation 3
next-generation console and PlayStation Portable (PSP) game
console. Both Asustek and Sony have fervently denied the several
rumors that Asustek has secured large orders for "mass shipments" by
Christmas 2006. It is possible that this could be another sign
that the rumored delay is, indeed, true.
Somewhere in Redmond, Bill Gates is
grinning from ear to ear.