Is the PS3 Slim a fabrication or a frustrating leak? If it turns out to be the latter, then here's another possible source of frustration for Sony: Rumor has it that two Taiwanese manufacturing companies have been awarded contracts to build the PS3 Slim.

This one goes way back. You might have forgotten about this already but the PlayStation 3 (PS3) consoles are being built by Asustek Computers. It was actually a fitting choice for Sony, as the former is regarded as one of the biggest computer components producers in the world.

Back then however, Foxconn Electronics, which also helped making some of the console's key components, somehow took a back seat as it was not given any allocation assignments. The reports mentioned that Foxconn will start producing units when the demand eventually rises.

Well, the long wait for Foxconn is finally over as Sony just handed a production certification to the Taiwan-based component developer. The reports added that Foxconn's contract will begin during Q3 and Q4 2007, in anticipation of the upcoming peak season this fall.

Foxconn Electronics was founded in 1970 and started as a manufacturer of plastic products, most notably connectors. Today, it services various products like motherboards, graphic cards, and even PS3 rival consoles Xbox 360 and Wii.

Good news for Sony fanboys and girls: production of the PlayStation 3 has begun! Apparently, Asustek Computers, considered one of the biggest computer components producer, has already shipped PS3 consoles to Sony. If this is true, it can only mean one thing: the November launch is pushing through (Yey!).

With the 200,000 component sets shipped to Asus in June, a small volume has already been assembled and shipped back to Sony early this month. The number of consoles to be built by Asus is said to increase as the launch date approaches, with September and October marking a shipment to Asus of more than one million component sets.

There have been no reports regarding Foxconn Electronics, which was also reported to help build Sony's next-generation console, receiving any PS3 component parts. Chinese newspaper Apple Daily writes that Foxconn will start assembly operations when demand rises.