The last couple of days three major delays hit us early adopters. But who is hurt more? We or have the companies hurt themselves even more?

We all are waiting emotionally for the next big thing. It hurts of course every time when a company is breaking its promised delivery date and announces a delay of the product we heard so much about and imagined how cool it will be once we get our hands on one.
The last days we had to dodge three blows: Sony delayed officially the PS3, Microsoft delayed the Consumer release of Windows Vista and Toshiba delayed their HD-DVD player launch. How do you feel? Have you fully recovered? Looking at those three delays now, they are actually less painful then when they have hit us.
The Sony PS3 delay to November has already been anticipated since a long time. Sure we all attached to the last straw that maybe Sony is still launching at least in Japan earlier. Looking at the positive side, a global launch in November can save early adopters a bundle, by not having to pay premium on Japanese PS3 imports.

My Windows XP machine works great, so why do I need a new Windows? Because I am an early adopter and want to have the latest Microsoft OS with all the new bells and whistles - obviously. The Windows Vista delay though does not hurt me emotionally. I can wait. It looks like also Microsoft Employees are hurting. See this report on TechWeb. With the Windows Vista delay Microsoft hurt PC manufacturers the most. They miss this holiday season and have no good reason to push new hardware to consumers. Microsoft is not hurt on the long run. It's stock is also already recovering. Microsoft will make the big Windows Vista splash at the CES 2007.

Toshiba's HD-DVD player launch delay is only 4 weeks. Four more weeks for us to ponder the Blu-ray or HD-DVD decision. Reports from retailers also indicate that pre-order for Toshiba HD-DVD player are pretty low. Retailers are also not happy with the two formats. It confuses consumers and needs double the floor space. Sony's Blu-ray player ships in July. Have you made the decision yet?

With all three products we are now in the last stretch. If there is another delay, it will hurt us, I promise.