Sony Electronics announced today that it has launched 50GB, dual-layer Blu-ray media and has begun shipping the highest density optical media to date to US distributors. Sony says the new 50GB dual-layer Blu-ray media has Sony's patented AccuCORE technology which includes scratch protection and helps the media maintain integrity in changes to temperature and humidity. Pricing on the new 50GB write-once Blu-ray media is set at $48 retail. Sony has also confirmed that it will be shipping 50GB dual-layer rewritable media later this year.