USB 3.0 promises 10x speed increase

The USB 3.0 Promoter Group has unveiled full specifications for the next-generation USB 3.0, or SuperSpeed, interface standard that is expected to make a splash in the coming years.

Promoters expect USB 3.0 to be up to 10 times faster than USB 2.0, which is currently used in the majority of computers and laptops today.  The technology will be backwards compatible, so the devices can still be plugged into USB 2.0 ports, but will not operate at USB 3.0 speeds.

USB 3.0 consumes less power than FireWire, but still has the ability to channel more power from the PC to an attached device — this speed and performance boost could lead to less external HDs and other products needing an AC power adapter to operate.

A USB 3.0 flash drive will be able to transfer 1GB of information in 3.3 seconds, while a USB 2.0 flash drive transfers the same amount of information in 33 seconds.

Microsoft, Texas Instruments, Hewlett-Packard, Intel, NEC, and NXP Semiconductors all support SuperSpeed USB.

"With more than 2.6 billion USB ports shipped in 2007 alone, the market opportunity for USB 3.0 should eclipse all other wired interconnect technologies combined," In-Stat senior analyst Brian O’Rourke said in a statement.

The group anticipates a select handful of products will have USB 3.0 support, with other devices implementing the technology in the future.

"The first SuperSpeed USB devices will likely include data storage devices such as flash (solid-state drives), external hard drives, digital music players, and digital cameras," the group said in a statement.

Controllers will roll out in 2009, but consumers will not be able to get their hands on USB 3.0-powered devices until 2010.