According to Chinese-language newspaper Commercial Times, Sony Corp. is already receiving the first pieces of the long expected PS3 from Asustek.

Both Apple Daily and Commercial Times have spoken in their latest articles about the fact that Asustek Computer has already begun shipping PlayStation3 to Sony. Apparently this initial shipment debuted at the beginning of July, in a small volume for now, but expected to rise until November 11, PS3’s (still) official launch date.

The publications were speaking about an actual monthly shipment of 200,000 units, which should gradually increase up to 2 million pieces by October 2006. The total amount of PlayStation3 consoles established by contract is 4 million pieces for 2006. They are all to be delivered in due time to meet customers’ demand for the Christmas shopping season.

What is important with this news is the fact that if the PS3 consoles are being manufactured, that means that the hardware specifications have been finalized and the launch will take place in mid-November.

Sony promised to have 2 million PlayStation 3 consoles available during the launch window and ship 4 million PS3s worldwide by the end of 2006. By March 2007 the company plans to supply 6 million game consoles to the market. After the first batch of PS3 shipments from Asustek, Foxconn Electronics (the registered trade name of Hon Hai Precision Industry) will also supply Sony’s PS3 game consoles when demand rises, indicated the Apple Daily. On the other hand, Asustek refused to comment upon the rumors, invoking confidentiality contracts signed with its customer.

The two versions of the PlayStation 3 gaming consoles – for $499 and $599 – will be launched on 11th of November in Japan and on the 17th of November in Australia, Europe, U.S. and other regions. The main issue that postponed PS3’s launch in March 2006 was the Blu-Ray-drive integration into the console.