When it comes to backing up large
amounts of data, many computer users will agree that USB 2.0 speeds
are simply not fast enough. This has led to eSATA and other
connectivity solutions that can provide more bandwidth than USB 2.0
is capable of for the storage industry.

Those looking forward
to the wide rollout of USB 3.0 will be saddened to hear that the
specification has been dealt a setback. This summer, expectations
were that USB 3.0 devices and computers supporting USB 3.0 would be
available
before 2010.

A source at a top-tier computer maker has
confirmed to EETimes that USB
3.0 support in key Intel chipsets has been postponed until 2011.
Support for USB 3.0 was expected to show up in early 2010 for Intel
chipsets. The same top-tier PC maker source also told EETimes
that wireless USB was effectively dead. Rather than moving to
wireless USB, which has had many supporting startups and interest
groups close up shop, the industry buzz is now focusing on 60 GHz
technology.

With Intel not offering wide support for USB 3.0
in its chipsets in 2010, adoption of the specification will
reportedly be limited to a few high-end graphics workstations and
consumer PCs. The makers of these systems will be forced to buy
discrete host controllers for their boards, which will make the parts
high-cost items.

The unnamed source added, "It's hard to
commit to an emerging technology like this (USB 3.0) when the key
silicon enablers are not making it a priority. You get into a
chicken-and-egg situation." USB 3.0 "won't get real
traction until it gets integrated in the chip sets," said the
source.

As for why USB 3.0 was postponed after a big showing
at IDF, the source told EETimes, "Tech and strategy
groups (at Intel) are not always aligned with the product development
teams that are in the mode of trying to make revenue and prioritize
what to integrate."

"Paying an extra $500 for a computer in this environment -- same piece of hardware -- paying $500 more to get a logo on it? I think that's a more challenging proposition for the average person than it used to be." -- Steve Ballmer