CES 2008: USB 3.0 ‘SuperSpeed’ connectors revealed

On show for the first time, the next-generation of ‘SuperSpeed’ USB 3.0 cabling has been revealed at CES 2008.  The new standard, which will boost data transfer speeds to HDTV-happy 4.7Gb/s (compared to the 480Mb/s of USB 2.0), is expected to be finalised by June this year, and will be backward-compatible with USB 1.1 and 2.0.

Images via Reg Hardware

That backward-compatibility is down to the 3.0 plugs & sockets having two sets of connections - new and legacy - which make contact depending on whether it’s an old or new device being plugged in.  As a result, the USB 3.0 plugs will be longer (and the sockets deeper) than they currently are.

via Reg Hardware