Monday, November 17th 2008

USB 3.0 Specification Now Available

The USB 3.0 Promoter Group today announced the completion of the USB 3.0 specification, the technical map for device manufacturers to deliver SuperSpeed USB technology to the market.

SuperSpeed USB 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 ten times faster than Hi-Speed USB (USB 2.0) with optimized power efficiency, SuperSpeed USB is the next step in the continued evolution of USB technology.

"SuperSpeed USB is the next advancement in ubiquitous technology," said 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. SuperSpeed USB 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 Company, Intel Corporation, Microsoft Corporation, NEC Corporation, 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 Promoter Group is now accepting adopters of the USB 3.0 specification, which has been finalized at the 1.0 level. To download both the specification and adopter agreement, visit http://www.usb.org/developers/docs/.

It is anticipated that initial SuperSpeed USB discrete controllers will appear in the second half of 2009 and consumer products will appear in 2010, with adoption continuing throughout 2010. The first SuperSpeed USB devices will likely include data-storage devices such as flash drives, external hard drives, digital music players and digital cameras.

The USB 3.0 specification debuted today in conjunction with the first SuperSpeed USB Developers Conference in San Jose, California. The conference provides attendees the first opportunity to hear directly from the creators of the USB 3.0 specification; keynote speakers will address advancements offered by the new technology. In addition to technical sessions, an exhibit area will showcase the latest developments and early designs featuring SuperSpeed USB technology. Attendees will obtain information on the best practices for incorporating SuperSpeed USB into their product roadmaps.

The USB 3.0 specification includes many advancements for both consumers and adopters, including higher speeds and enhanced power efficiency. For more information about the USB 3.0 specification, visit http://www.usb.org/developers.
Source: Business Wire
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44 Comments on USB 3.0 Specification Now Available

#26
p_o_s_pc
F@H&WCG addict
PVTCaboose1337The speed sounds very good. I hope this actually goes better than my USB 1.1 to 2.0 transition (in which I fried all my 1.1 stuff)
how did you do that?
Posted on Reply
#27
Mussels
Freshwater Moderator
p_o_s_pchow did you do that?
i'll take a guess...

plugged a USB Header in backwards?
Posted on Reply
#28
KBD
mlee49Ludacris Speed :roll:
:laugh:
Posted on Reply
#29
TheGuruStud
Musselsi'll take a guess...

plugged a USB Header in backwards?
I think I did that one time, but it didn't fry anything

But if he had the single wires and mixed them up, then I can definitely see it.
Posted on Reply
#31
Mussels
Freshwater Moderator
i forgot to say this before, but i was honestly expecting USB 3.0 to be a launch feature of the new core i7 motherboards. Kinda surprising that its late, and that they missed such a great opportunity.
Posted on Reply
#32
Mussels
Freshwater Moderator


found this, image of a USB 3.0 cable.
Posted on Reply
#33
mlee49
dude that looks like a USB type B with a FW400 ontop. :)
Posted on Reply
#34
TheGuruStud
Looks like they changed it so they can sell "USB 3 super mega speed" cables for 25 bucks.

I always love how the 1.1 cables supposedly don't work for 2. Great marketing.
Posted on Reply
#35
Pinchy
MusselsUSB 3.0 will be the same - capping out at 300MB/s maximum. Great to have some headroom, but no faster than SATA-II... so hey, it sounds great for this generation of external drives.
Great for thumb drives :)
Musselsi'll take a guess...

plugged a USB Header in backwards?
Whenever I do that, my PC doesn't POST :p.
Posted on Reply
#36
Hayder_Master
can we say it is possible can install an portable widows on flash ram with usb 3 cuz it is very fast and sure can run windows like HDD
Posted on Reply
#37
Mussels
Freshwater Moderator
hayder.mastercan we say it is possible can install an portable widows on flash ram with usb 3 cuz it is very fast and sure can run windows like HDD
my system can already boot off of USB 2.0 flash drives and hard drives, so you most certainly could with 3.0.

The new cable may seem odd, but look at it again - its most definately USB 2.0 with extra wires, because it means you can use USB 2.0 cables to connect between USB 3.0 devices, albeit it at a lower speed.
Posted on Reply
#38
TheGuruStud
Musselsmy system can already boot off of USB 2.0 flash drives and hard drives, so you most certainly could with 3.0.

The new cable may seem odd, but look at it again - its most definately USB 2.0 with extra wires, because it means you can use USB 2.0 cables to connect between USB 3.0 devices, albeit it at a lower speed.
Good thing, otherwise, I'd have to rant and rave when this hits shelves :laugh:
Posted on Reply
#39
Mussels
Freshwater Moderator
TheGuruStudGood thing, otherwise, I'd have to rant and rave when this hits shelves :laugh:
i like the design, as its going to be easy to explain to end users.

Its not so common nowadays, but certainly recall confusing moments trying to explain to people why their USB 1.1 port cant handle 2.0 speeds, and thats why their flash drive/external HDD is so slow.

With this, its easy - you can tell by the cable. you need "super speed" plugs on PC and device, and a "super dooper uber win" cable between them. Dont have all 3? then you're in slow mode.


I want SSD hard drives with USB 3.0 ports!
Posted on Reply
#40
Hayder_Master
thanx mussels that's what i talk about super speed from usb
Posted on Reply
#41
Triprift
Easy Rhinoi hate when companies and organization start naming things like "high speed" and "super speed." what is next, "super awesome speed?" or "super duper USB scooper?"
The bs lines companies use to get us suckers attention my personal fav "worlds first". Then again if companies were honest they woudnt sell bugger all.
Posted on Reply
#42
Easy Rhino
Linux Advocate
metacritic rates the game at 91 but users rate it at 4.9
Posted on Reply
#43
Mussels
Freshwater Moderator
Easy Rhino: why would users rate USB 3.0 a 4.9?

wrong thread, lol.
Posted on Reply
#44
Easy Rhino
Linux Advocate
MusselsEasy Rhino: why would users rate USB 3.0 a 4.9?

wrong thread, lol.
lmao!!!!! sorry, i stepped away from my PC for a minute and got mixed up! however, judging by user response in here id say 4.9 is about right :laugh:
Posted on Reply
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