Toshiba Corporation announced today that the company has applied for
membership of the Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA), and plans to introduce
products that support the Blu-ray format, including BD players and notebook
PCs integrating BD drives, in the course of this year. When Toshiba conceded
defeat in the format war in February 2008, it reiterated that it would not
make any Blu-ray products – until June 2009, when the Toshiba president
hinted at future BD
support.
The press release explains that Toshiba has decided to join the BDA "in light
of recent growth in digital devices supporting the Blu-ray format, combined
with market demand from consumers and retailers alike."
Back in February 2008, the spokesman for the BDA said that Toshiba was
"more than welcome" to join the organisation.