Sony teamed up with the Nichia Corportation, a Japanese manufacturer and supplier, and the happy result is a smaller Blu-Ray laser. Measuring in at 3 millimeters, the new laser is cheaper for Sony to manufacture, and anything from laptops using Blu-Ray optical drives to dedicated Blu-Ray players may hit the shelves at a lower price point.

The laser also enjoys improved functionality, as it's able to read both dual-layer Blu-Ray discs and also discs using organic dye, which allows DVD manufacturing lines to produce Sony's proprietary format.

Tech.co.uk, via Slashgear