Apple & Intel Collaborating On "Light Peak" Connectors?

[thetoothfairy]

Looks like we might be heading for the Star Trek age. Intel unveils Light Peak 10Gbps optical interconnect for mobile devices.

What does this mean? No more different ports with different cables and connections! This is just astounding!

Few, Smaller Connectors
Longer, Thinner Cables
Higher Bandwidth
Multiple I/O Protocols On A Single Cable

Also I heard it transfers at 10GB/s. At the moment that's a BluRay movie in 30 Seconds. And plans for it to increase to 100GB/s within the next 10 years. (Wow)

Nice! Finally one port options!

Apple had reached out to Intel as early as 2007 with plans for an interoperable standard which could handle massive amounts of data and "replace the multitudinous connector types with a single connector (FireWire, USB, Display interface)."

The original conversations happened between Apple's Steve Jobs and Intel's Paul Otellini. In fact, the technology was said to have been demoed last week on a prototype Mac Pro motherboard and will be introduced into the Mac lineup in the Fall of 2010. (How exciting) And glad Apple is thinking of cutting back on cords...

Check out the demo below.... quite interesting!

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khPx1dEIPnA]YouTube - Intel Light Peak Demo @ IDF 2009[/ame]


[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izNoF1SWtSg&feature=player_embedded]YouTube - Light Peak to Connect Consumer Devices at Record Speed[/ame]


Intel unveils Light Peak 10Gbps optical interconnect for mobile devices

Apple this time is been smart and is not going to keep it for only mac.

If this goes main stream, we could see a real bright future and not what we have now of so many different plugins. I want to thank iphone49er as he brought it to my attention that I forgot to mention that you can not transfer power through the cable.

[angiepangie]

That's insane speeds

[iphone49er]

You forgot to mention that you cannot transfer power over the cable.

[thetoothfairy]

You forgot to mention that you cannot transfer power over the cable.

Thanks... don't know how I forgot to mention it but added it...

[Melech518]

Crazy and cool stuff

[rhekt]

this is most certaintly a big step...im excited about the future possibilities.

[santaf]

oh man that will be aweomse soo fast i hate waiting so long fr things to transfer

[-Blue-]

You forgot to mention that you cannot transfer power over the cable.

that can be a really big drawback

[Kiserai]

that can be a really big drawback

True, but if the whole wireless induction charging thing takes off (a la the Palm Pre touchstone) then being unable to charge over a cable could be a non issue.

Or the "lightwave cable" could consist of both the optical data transmission cables and a single power cable all in one very small cord. Since most portable devices with rechargeable batteries don't suck that much power through USB, you'd think the power cable wouldn't have to be THAT much thicker than the optical cable.

[KBOHM1]

Also I heard it transfers at 10GB/s. At the moment that's a BluRay movie in 30 Seconds. And plans for it to increase to 100GB/s within the next 10 years. (Wow)

Looks interesting, but but don't you mean 10Gbps and 100Gbps respectively, otherwise that would be kinda insane.

[e10100]

Technology these days... absolutely amazing

[tudtran]

That is freaky. The light peak connection look like a bug from the matrix.

[awesomeSlayer]

10GB/s?! Amazing!

[Bill69]

but the cable will have to branch off into multiple outputs or else this whole thing is irrelevant because say u want to use one for your HD display and external hard drive. You would have to use one whole cable for each one regardless of the fact that it is capable of running multiple medias. Unless the cables had one in and multiple outs and in that case you would still need to buy the right one and if you got a new piece of equipment you would need to go buy a new cable with more outputs. That needs to be figured out before this hits the market

[iPhoneThereforeIAm]

True, but if the whole wireless induction charging thing takes off (a la the Palm Pre touchstone) then being unable to charge over a cable could be a non issue.

Or the "lightwave cable" could consist of both the optical data transmission cables and a single power cable all in one very small cord. Since most portable devices with rechargeable batteries don't suck that much power through USB, you'd think the power cable wouldn't have to be THAT much thicker than the optical cable.

I think it's a matter of power interference and shielding.

[thedanks]

woh, this could mean a short-lived usb 3.0

[staterunner180]

You forgot to mention that you cannot transfer power over the cable.

So it would be much faster then USB but would have the major draw-back of not charging your iPhone/iPod while syncing? Well it wouldn't be that hard of a fix, just include a small, thin power cable in the Light Peak cable.

10GB/s?! Amazing!

My whole HD in less then 4 seconds

[StealthBravo]

woh, this could mean a short-lived usb 3.0

Thats what I was thinking

[Gustavo Saliola]

Great news, for once, a good idea pointing to simplicity: Less cables, less clutter, more speed, low eco impact, less plastic hangin'round. The new USB, but function wider.

[billchase2]

Wow, cool stuff