USB 3.0 brings optical connection in 2008
Update: I added some details about USB 3.0 device availability and performance.
Intel showed off prototype USB 3.0 connectors and an add-in card at Intel Developer Forum Tuesday.
(Credit: Stephen Shankland/CNET Networks)SAN FRANCISCO--Intel and others plan to release a new version of the ubiquitous Universal Serial Bus technology in the first half of 2008, a revamp the chipmaker said will make data transfer rates more than 10 times as fast by adding fiber-optic links alongside the traditional copper wires.
Intel is working fellow USB 3.0 Promoters Group members Microsoft, Hewlett-Packard, Texas Instruments, NEC and NXP Semiconductors to release the USB 3.0 specification in the first half of 2008, said Pat Gelsinger, general manager of Intel's Digital Enterprise Group, in a speech here at the Intel Developer Forum.
In an interview after the speech, Gelsinger said there's typically a one- to two-year lag between the release of the specification and the availability of the technology, so USB 3.0 products should likely arrive in 2009 or 2010. A prototype shown at the speech is working now, and USB 3.0 will have optical and copper connections "from day one," he added.
The current USB 2.0 version has a top data-transfer rate of 480 megabits per second, so a tenfold increase would be 4.8 gigabits per second. Many devices don't need that much capacity, but some can use more, including hard drives, flash card readers and optical drives such as DVD, Blu-ray and HD DVD. The fastest flash card readers today use IEEE 1394 "FireWire" connections that top out at 800 megabits per second.
In addition, USB 3.0 will offer greater energy efficiency, Gelsinger said. It will be backward compatible, so current USB 2.0 devices will be able to plug into USB 3.0 ports.
Stephen Shankland writes about a wide range of technology and products, but has a particular focus on browsers and digital photography. He joined CNET News in 1998 and since then also has covered Google, Yahoo, servers, supercomputing, Linux and open-source software, and science. E-mail Stephen, or follow him on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/stshank. 
- by Mikeb2346 September 22, 2009 4:22 PM PDT
- It Great new way now how we use our Devices with Hardware. A think Companies should rool out Printer - Keyboards - Scanners with USB 3.0 Connection so that comatible with Motherborads that support USB 3.0 or Just Motherborads that have USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 on Motherboards. Even another segestion i think we could have USB 2.0 Covertor Soket (Adapter) to USB 3.0 or just 2 connections on Motherborad USB 2.0 2 Ports and 2 Ports for USB 3.0 somthing simular a was thinking about few years ago in 2003. When ever USB 4.0 Comes out sure be seeing allot more devices at GB Per Secound on USB Tecnolgy so we can get more faster Printing pluss more betta and saving time so we don't have to wait as long like did with USB 1.0.
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