Toshiba is planning to launch players and laptops with support for Blu-ray Discs later this year, the company said Monday.

The company was the primary backer of the HD DVD optical-disc format that had been battling Blu-ray Disc. However in 2008 Toshiba pulled the plug on its HD-DVDs, conceding defeat to the Blu-ray camp led by proponents Sony and Panasonic.

In a brief statement Toshiba said it had applied for membership of the Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA), the standards setting and licensing body behind the format. The company also stated it would be launching products before the end of 2009.

"In light of recent growth in digital devices supporting the Blu-ray format, combined with market demand from consumers and retailers alike, Toshiba has decided to join the BDA," it said.

Toshiba, whose digital products sector reported a nearly 65 percent fall in profit in the year ending in March, is trying to increase its market share and cut costs as it fights soaring price competition in both personal computers and televisions. 

                                                                                                             Source: Xinhua