Sony has delayed the launch of its PS3 console in Australia to March next year due to shortages in the blue diodes used to make its blu-ray drive according to an article found at the Sydney Morning Herald, found here.
A blu-ray disc drive is included with every PS3 console and has pushed up worldwide demand for blue diodes. Sony however don't regret including the drive by default, saying only that it will "futureproof" the console and it would lead to higher quality games in the long run due to the higher capacities offered to game developers.
It seems that this has caused a lot of problems for Sony recently. There have been a number of reports of delays and technical problems regarding its PS3 not to mention the price. Personally I think it forces everyone who buys one just now to "futureproof" at an early stage and thus making them pay a premium over waiting for the price of a blu-ray player to come down (if they intend to ue it as a blu-ray player)
The PS3 will retail for around $829 or $999 in Australia depending upon what bundle you choose.
