Source: Showbiz trade The Hollywood Reporter.

　　What we heard: After weeks of rumors, leaks, and nondenials of its nonexistence, the 40GB PlayStation 3 officially unveiled last week. However, while reports about the new stripped-down console had come from all over the globe--including US and Australian retailers--Sony has confirmed its release only in Europe and the UK.

　　Now, though, it appears US and Canadian gamers may be able to finally mark their calendars. Today, the Hollywood Reporter, one of the most widely read and influential entertainment-focused dailies on the planet, is reporting the 40GB will arrive on North American shores in less than a month. The Reporter quotes an "industry source" as saying, "We're hearing November 2" and confirmed the date with a "buyer for a major game retailer."

　　Unsurprisingly, the Reporter also says the console will have the same stripped-down form factor as the European 40GB PS3, with just two USB ports, no memory card readers, and the still-baffling lack of software-based backward compatibility. However, as rumored, the console will be $399, $200 cheaper than the $599 80GB PS3 Sony currently manufactures for the NA market. (The 60GB model has been discontinued, though some units are still lingering on retailer shelves.)

　　Though still considerably more than the $249 Wii or $279 Xbox 360 Core, the new price point puts the PS3 in the same ballpark as the $349 Xbox 360 Pro and the $449 Xbox 360 Elite. It will also become the cheapest player of Blu-ray Disc media on the market, helping Sony's ongoing efforts to promote the high-definition format. Indeed, the $399 40GB PS3 will be more affordable than any 360 equipped with the console's $179 HD DVD player add-on, though still more expensive than some stand-alone HD DVD players, which cost as little as $299.

　　The official story: Sony had not responded to comments on the Reporter report as of press time.

　　Bogus or not bogus?: Given the Reporter's reputation and the fact the console has already been announced for Europe, this is almost certainly not bogus.