Sony recently announced the development of a next generation laser and storge disk device.  The new laser, described as a “blu-violet ultra-fast semi-conductor laser”, along with the next gen disc will increase the storage capacity of a single disc by more than 20 times that of a Blu-ray Disc.  To put that in perspective a single layer DVD disc holds 4.7 GB of information and a dual layer holds 8.5 GB.  A single layer Blu-ray holds 25 GB and a dual layer 50 GB.  The implications for data storage and back up in the business industry are enourmous.   Being able to back up terra bytes of information on a single disc for long term storage will be quite appealing to some. 

What does this mean for the home theater industry?  Well, a Blu-ray Disc can hold 2 HD movies while the new Blue-Violet laser will hold over 50.  A  single disc can hold the extended versions of the “Lord of the Rings” Trilogy or all 6 of the “Star Wars” movies or entire seasons of HD TV shows like “24″ or “Lost.”   I also imagine this having quite an effect on the gaming industry.  Games have become so huge that some require 2 discs to play, like Mass Effect 2.  The next generation gaming platforms might use this technology to provide a larger and more immersive gaming experience.   

I don’t think we have to worry about another format war or Blu-ray suddenly becoming obsolete.  No announcement has been made as to when this would be commercially available, and it usually takes years before tech like this is ready for the mass market.