Sony Computer Entertainment is delaying the launch of its PlayStation 3 games console in Europe and Australasia until March 2007, it said Wednesday. The console was originally due to launch on Nov. 17.The company blamed a delay in mass production of blue laser diodes for the problem. The laser diodes are used in the optical disc drive inside the machine. Current consoles use red laser diodes, of which supply is plentiful, but the PlayStation 3 will have a Blu-ray Disc drive that requires the use of the new component.The delay will affect all territories where the PAL system is used: Europe, Russia, the Middle East, Africa and Australasia. SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER From our editors straight to your inbox Get started by entering your email address below. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe Despite the delay, Sony said it still expects to ship 6 million consoles worldwide in the period between its launch in Japan on Nov. 11 and the end of March 2007. After Japan, the console is scheduled to go on sale in North America on Nov. 17. -Martyn Williams, IDG News Service (Tokyo Bureau)Check out our CIO News Alerts and Tech Informer pages for more updated news coverage. Related content news Oracle bolsters distributed cloud, AI strategy with new Mexico cloud region The second cloud region in Monterrey, providing over 100 OCI services, is part of Oracle's plan to compete with AWS, Google and Microsoft, and cash in on enterprise interest in generative AI. By Anirban Ghoshal Sep 26, 2023 3 mins Generative AI Generative AI Generative AI brandpost Zero Trust: Understanding the US government’s requirements for enhanced cybersecurity By Jaye Tillson, Field CTO at HPE Aruba Networking Sep 26, 2023 4 mins Zero Trust feature SAP prepares to add Joule generative AI copilot across its apps Like Salesforce and ServiceNow, SAP is promising to embed an AI copilot throughout its applications, but planning a more gradual roll-out than some competitors. By Peter Sayer Sep 26, 2023 5 mins CIO SAP Generative AI brandpost Mitigating mayhem in a complex hybrid IT world How to build a resilient enterprise in the face of unexpected (and expected) IT mayhem moments. By Greg Lotko, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Mainframe Software Division Sep 26, 2023 7 mins Hybrid Cloud Podcasts Videos Resources Events SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER From our editors straight to your inbox Get started by entering your email address below. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe