Exclusive Amazon.co.uk has put back the UK release of Sony's PlayStation Portable handheld games console to 30 September, according to the online retailer's website.

The schedule update is at least the fourth time Amazon.co.uk has changed the date on which it expects to be able to ship the console. So far this year, the e-tailer has named 18 March, 29 April, 24 June and now 30 September as PSP ship dates.

As we reported last week, UK High Street consumer electronics retailer Dixons lists 1 August on its website as the date upon which it expects British gamers will be able to get their mitts on the eagerly awaited console. When we checked back today, the site continued to list that date.

Amazon.co.uk's new date, if accurate, suggests Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) may have given up on a summer release and is instead gearing up for a pre-Christmas launch.

The news will be welcomed by Sony rival Gizmondo, which today announced a distribution deal with specialist disties Andromeda and Just, the former targeting mail-order suppliers, the latter independent gaming retailers.

Gizmondo said it will ship 100,000 units through the pair, 60,000 through Andromeda, the rest through Just.

On 31 March, Gizmondo announced a number of major UK retailers had agreed to offer its console from 2 April. The John Lewis, GameStation and Carphone Warehouse continue to list the console as unavailable, though the stores we contacted did have units in stock. ®

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