The USB 3.0 specification was released on November 17, 2008, by the USB 3.0 Promoter Group. It has a transfer rate that's purportedly up to 10 times faster than the USB 2.0 version. The next gen interface could reach customer personal computers before 2009 gives way to 2010 as working prototypes of the interface have been popping up at various trade shows.
Japan's NEC Electronics has already shipped samples of its USB 3.0 host controller at the start of June, with regular volume production of nearly one million units per month expected to begin in September. So, who knows? Maybe one of the features of the next iMac will be USB 3.0 support.
According to Intel, USB 3.0 "will target fast sync-and-go transfer applications in the personal computer, consumer and mobile segments that are necessary as digital media become ubiquitous and file sizes increase up to and beyond 25GB." The first application is expected to include external hard disks, but the higher speeds offered by USB 3.0 may also pave the way for wired HD video streaming from a networked connection. And at least one engineer believes that if video in USB 3.0 can be transferred isochronously, as files can be in USB 2.0, at least 1080i-resolution HD video should be feasible, according to Tech-On.
If that sounds ominous for FireWire's future, it could be, but I don't think so. FireWire (which was, after all, developed by Apple) still has several advantages over USB 3.0. To see what I mean, there's an excellent comparison of the two technologies (including the upcoming FireWire 3200) here: http://tech.blorge.com/Structure:%20/2007/12/18/battle-of-the-data-titan...
Of course, there's no reason Macs can't have both FireWire and USB 3.0 ports. And, when it comes to peripherals and accessories, that would be (with apologies to Hannah Montana) the best of both worlds.
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