Where is the Canon W-E1 Wi-Fi Adapter?

The Canon W-E1 Wi-Fi Adapter Announcement stated that accessory would be available “early September 2016.” Because a firmware update was necessary for compatible DSLRs to utilize the adapter, we expected a 7D Mark II firmware update would appear around the same time (which it did, September 8). But as September draws to a close, the W-E1 still hasn’t shipped to preorder customers (myself [Sean] being one of them).
 
The lack of product availability begs a couple of questions, like…
 

• What caused the W-E1’s delayed release?
• When can we expect the W-E1 to be available?

Unfortunately, there has been no official word from Canon pertaining to the delayed product availability. Therefore, we have no idea why the Wi-Fi adapter was not released at the beginning of September as scheduled. However, after numerous inquiries to various contacts over the past two weeks, I finally received word from two independent sources that the W-E1 would likely be available the last week of October (according to one source) or the first week of November (according to the other).
 
Regardless of whether the W-E1 is available at retailers the last week of October or the first week of November, all indications are that preorder customers will be waiting another month before Wi-Fi adapters land on their doorsteps.
 
B&H has the Canon W-E1 Wi-Fi Adapter available for preorder.