Intel To Support USB 3.0 Next Year

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If you’re into computer hardware, then you probably know that Intel has yet to throw their weight behind USB 3.0. While early adapters are getting excited for USB 3.0 drives and devices, Intel has yet to support the new ports, which is slowing adaption and forcing third-party companies to come up with their own USB 3.0 controllers for motherboards. Some had feared that Intel’s Light Peak/Thunderbolt would be supported by the company over USB 3.0, which could create a format war, comparable to HD-DVD/Blu-Ray and VHS/Betamax. Thankfully, at a conference in Beijing, Intel announced their support for USB 3.0, and says it’s coming next year. And it “compliments” Thunderbolt.

Speaking at the Intel Developer Conference in Beijing, China, Intel VP Kirk Skaugen said that:

Intel is going to support USB 3.0 in the 2012 client platform. We’re going to support Thunderbolt capability. We believe they’re complementary.

Even though USB 3.0 was first unveiled at CES 2010, and everybody expected widespread adoption during that year, Intel has yet to natively support USB 3.0 on their motherboard chipsets. Motherboard manufacturers have gone with third-party controllers for USB 3.0, which has restricted USB 3.0 so far to enthusiast motherboards and computers.

There’s a question of if Apple will even support USB 3.0. Depending on who you ask, Light Peak/Thunderbolt was “Apple’s idea” and Intel developed the port just for them. We know that Thunderbolt will be coming on future Mac computers, but will the stylish computer company bother supporting USB 3.0? Could that hurt the standard?

Do you have USB 3.0 on your computer? Tell us, do you think its awesome? Tell us about it by scrolling on down to the comments section.