Sony has given birth to harder, better, faster, stronger Blu-ray reader.

Okay, maybe it's not all those things, but it is smaller than before.  The new laser unit developed by Sony and Nichia Japan is only 3mm thick and would allow manufacturers to cut production costs, now that they can "miniaturise" other Blu-ray hardware in a more simplied process.

Aside from providing a cheaper manufacturing solution, the new laser can also read dual-layer BD's and discs with organic dye in the recording layers.  Sony is expecting to use this tiny bundle of joy in their 9.5mm laptop drives sometime this year.

All of this might also suggest a price cut for the PlayStation 3, though Sony has denied such. 

On another interesting note, GamesIndustry.biz reported that an internal document from Best Buy allegedly indicated Sony would no longer carry 80GB PS3 units after January 28.  When contacted by the news site, Best Buy declined to comment on the rumor.