Bloomberg.com Monday mentioned a Commercial Times article that says Sony will introduce the PlayStation 3 this year to widen its lead over rivals Microsoft and Nintendo. The Commercial Times cites unidentified people at Taiwanese parts suppliers as saying that the video console will go on sale two years ahead of schedule. Hon Hai Precision Industry of Taiwan - which assembles the PS2 for Sony - and other parts suppliers will reportedly start trial production next month. The Commercial Times reports that Sony may start selling the PS3 in Japan as early as mid-year and overseas by the end of the year.

The PS3 will use an unidentified processor different from the PS2's chip. Sony - in collaboration with IBM and Toshiba - is developing a new processor capable of handling complicated graphics and sound over the Internet. The chip is still in development - putting a potential damper on news of an early release for the PS3.

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