The new USB 3

Just as people have become spoiled with the plug n play ease of USB 2.0, there’s a new version, USB 3.0, just around the corner.  Universal Serial Bus (USB) has already made life simpler for hobbyists, home users, and business professionals by allowing everything from Audio to Video devices to become portable between machines.  USB 2.0 became the new standard for device connectivity a few years back, and is now an integral part of all computers systems, as well as being built into many digital cameras, music players, and other not-quite-computer-components.

USB 3.0, however is a major step forward in universal connectivity, as it incorporates fiber optics to allow transfer rates in the neighborhood of 4.8Gbs, which is 10 times faster than the current 2.0 variety.  USB 3.0 is intended to allow high bandwidth uses, such as full motion HD video, and is poised to become a standard for equipment outside of the office as well as running most of the equipment in the office.  It is being developed by Intel Corp., along with Microsoft, Hewlett-Packard, Texas Instruments, NEC and NXP Semiconductors, and others.

The specifications for USB 3.0 have been awaited since the middle of 2007, and at least one Intel insider reports that it should be released early in the second half of 2008.  Part of the delay, this insider adds, is that Intel is developing the the operational specs, so that other manufacturers will be able to begin production of U3 devices as soon as the standard has been finalized.  USB 3.0 will be backwardly compatible with USB 2.0, and most industry leaders assume USB 1.1 as well.

Article written by MyComputerAid.com