OK, here is an update from a business associate in NY who buys and reps. Sony products for online camera stores.
There is NO news. Distributors, sales reps, dealers, etc. have been told nothing, other than there is a run on camcorder batteries and some specific Sony items). (See below).
Corporate Sony has not said or otherwise posted anything about delays, delivery dates, etc. He is doubtful that even the management at Sony Style has any word. Sony is a massive company that makes a lot of products, not only 3D cameras! The corporate wheels are obviously turning very slowly right now. From reading various news reports (sample listed below), it appears some "camcorder" factories were closed until the end of the month, in addition to battery manufacturing facilities.
One can assume there will be a delay, but again, w/o any official word it's foolish to make a guess. However, being a businessman myself, I would think Sony might make a special effort to launch a new product on time to avoid others from taking over the market.
From Bloomberg:
"Japan's largest exporter of consumer electronics, halted factories that make televisions and cameras, citing difficulties procuring components and materials following the March 11 earthquake.
The company suspended operations at five plants in central and southern Japan, including in the Aichi and Oita prefectures, starting today until the end of this month, the Tokyo-based electronics maker said in a statement. The factories make liquid-crystal display TVs, camcorders, cameras, mobile phones, headphones and broadcasting equipment, it said.
The move increases the number of Sony's plant closures to 12 after the company halted operations at factories that make products ranging from Blu-ray discs to semiconductor lasers since the March 11 earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan. The electronics maker said it may shift some production overseas if shortages of parts and materials persist."
End quote###
