New USB Spec Boosts Speed

By Greg Scoblete -- TWICE, 4/29/2008 9:25:00 AM

Scottsdale, Ariz. — A new USB specification promises significantly faster data-transfer speeds and will drive continued adoption of USB-enabled devices through 2012, according to the market research firm In-Stat.

The SuperSpeed USB (or USB 3.0) specification was announced in September of last year and promises an “actual throughput of 3Gbps” — a rate significantly faster than that of high-speed USB’s 450MBps.

According to In-Stat, SuperSpeed USB-enabled products won’t be broadly deployed until 2010.

Sales of USB-enabled equipment will continue to grow, the firm predicted. In 2007, more than 2.6 billion USB-enabled devices were shipped worldwide. This year, high-speed USB devices will for the first time out-ship low- and full-speed USB products.

USB devices will enjoy an annual shipment growth of 8.3 percent through 2012 the firm predicted.

In-Stat is owned by Reed Elsevier, TWICE’s parent company.