Everything You Need to Know About USB 3.0

From Maximum PC -

USB 2.0 (aka USB Hi-Speed) boosted the original 12Mbps data rate to 480Mmb/s over 8 years ago, and now USB 3.0 (dubbed USB Superspeed) is set to multiply that bandwidth tenfold. The USB Implementers Forum released the USB 3.0 spec (90% complete) to hardware partners last week and expect to have it finalized by Q4 this year.

The highlights -

USB 3.0 will be backwards-compatible with USB 2.0, physically and functionally but you won’t be able to maximize your bandwidth unless you’re using a USB 3.0 cable with Superspeed devices and ports. Maximum speed is 4.8Gbps, compared to the 480Mbps limit of the 2.0 spec. Uploads and downloads are kept on separate data lanes USB 3.0 will charge more devices quicker. and will also be more power efficient.

Meanwhile updates to the Wireless USB version 1.1 include the following -

Support for Near Field Communication technology, which is a short-range, high-frequency spec with a max 4800kpbs data rate that allows for wireless data transfers between devices up to 20cm apart. Speed and power usage have also been optimized and ultra-wide band (UWB) support added. Wireless USB already runs in the 3GHz frequency range, which allows it to theoretically transfer data at speeds of 480Mbps at 3 meters and 110Mbps at 10 meters. UWB support will boost the frequency of Wireless USB to the 6GHz and up range.

Source article here.