Sony today revealed a new Blu-ray laser technology that it says should lead to thinner, smaller notebook drives. Through a new, extremely accurate and more reliable laser system, Sony and its development partner Nichia have produced a laser reader whose packaging is just 3mm (0.11in) thick without sacrificing features. A Blu-ray drive using the laser technology can both read and record as with earlier, thicker drives. It can also recognize discs printed using a newer organic dye that makes them cheaper to produce than most current discs, Sony notes.

The technology should allow the thinner, 9.5mm (0.37in) optical drives used in thin-and-light notebooks; unlike a recently developed Panasonic equivalent, however, the Sony implementation is expected to be used in devices that normally demand slot-load drives, such as in-car entertainment systems. Both companies anticipate mass production of drives using the extra-compact laser towards the end of the year. [via Tech]