Ten Times Faster USB ReleasedNovember 19, 2008 The USB (Universal Serial Bus) 3.0 Promoter Group has announced the completion of the USB 3.0 specification, the technical map for device manufacturers to deliver SuperSpeed USB technology to the market. USB 3.0 brings significant power and performance enhancements to the popular USB standard while offering backward compatibility with billions of USB-enabled PCs and peripheral devices currently in use by consumers. Delivering data transfer rates up to 10 times faster (from 480 Mbps to 4.8 Gbps) than Hi-Speed USB (USB 2.0) with optimized power efficiency, USB 3.0 is the next step in the continued evolution of USB technologies. USB 3.0 is the next advancement in ubiquitous technology, according to Jeff Ravencraft, USB-IF president and chairman. “Today’s consumers are using rich media and large digital files that need to be easily and quickly transferred from PCs to devices and vice versa. USB 3.0 meets the needs of everyone from the tech-savvy executive to the average home user.” The USB 3.0 Promoter Group, comprised of Hewlett-Packard, Intel, Microsoft, NEC, ST-NXP Wireless, and Texas Instruments, developed the USB 3.0 specification. The group now has transitioned the specification’s management to the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF), the managing body of USB specifications. The USB 3.0 Promoters Group is now accepting adopters of the USB 3.0 specification, which has been finalized at the 1.0 level. To download the specification and adopter agreement, visit www.usb.org/developers/docs/. It’s anticipated that the initial USB 3.0 discrete controllers will appear in the second half of 2009 and consumer products will appear in 2010, with adoption continuing throughout 2010. The first USB 3.0 devices will likely include data-storage devices such as flash drives, external hard drives, digital music players, and digital cameras. It will also provide a better ability to charge devices over USB, some of which still require an AC adapter or two USB connections to draw enough power. The USB 3.0 specification debuted in conjunction with the first SuperSpeed USB Developers Conference in San Jose, Calif., on Nov. 17. It was demonstrated using a new optical cable, but with the same connector. Source: USB 3.0 Promoter Group
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