Sharp just introduced their latest and improved blue-violet laser technology. Sharp's new GH04P25A4G semiconductor laser manages boost the output power to 250mW so that you'll be able to reach 6x recording speeds to dual-layer Blu-ray media in laptops. All while maintaining the same 3.3mm diameter of their previous package. A similarly-speced 5.6mm diameter GH04P25A2G laser intended for desktops was also announced.
The lasers are shipping now in sample quantities for ¥50,000 (about $462). Mass production should start in April, at a maximum monthly capacity of 700,000 units. We can expect Blu-ray drives in the 2nd half of 2008 that will feature these new Sharp Blu-ray components.