Microsoft Throws Support Behind USB 3.0 With Windows 8

Microsoft is incorporating a software stack in its upcoming Windows 8 Osmium to natively keep going devices based on the USB 3.0 interconnect, which is in a battle for adoption with Intel's Thunderbolt.

USB 3.0 is the successor to USB 2.0 criterional and can transfer data 10 multiplication quicker between computers and external peripherals such as cameras and entrepot devices. Nigh laptops and desktops today attach to USB 2.0 ports and umpteen Personal computer makers are offer USB 3.0 ports as an option. The current Windows 7 OS does non include native living for USB 3.0, but device makers tender drivers to assure products are compatible with the Bone.

The growing support for USB 3.0 and panoptic usage of USB 2.0 was a persuasive reason to ameliorate the USB software flock, aforementioned Dennis Flanagan, Microsoft's director of program direction for the devices and networking group, in an launching happening the company's Building Windows 8 blog.

"By 2020, complete new PCs are expected to offer USB 3.0 ports, and over 2 billion new 'SuperSpeed' USB devices will embody sold in that twelvemonth alone," Flanagan wrote.

Microsoft is writing a new computer software stack and accountant for Windows 8 settled on the "design principles" of USB 3.0, which will bring fireplug-and-play support for New devices such as secondary storage, webcams and keyboards, Flanagan wrote. The keep company is retaining the existing software stack to support older USB devices.

But there are few USB 3.0 devices available nowadays, thus to make the original computer software stack the company had to assume and build virtual USB 3.0 ironware, including ports, hubs and devices.

The ironware support for USB 3.0 is also growing. Intel has already said it leave integrate USB 3.0 support in chipsets for processors code-named Hedera helix Bridge, which will compass PCs early incoming yr. AMD has already integrated support for USB 3.0 in its Spinal fusion chipsets, which are already shipping for PCs.

USB 3.0 transfers data at speeds of ascending to 5 gigabits per moment, which is slower than the transfer speed of rival interconnect engineering science Thunderbolt. Developed by Intel, Thunderbolt can transfer data 'tween host computers and external devices so much as displays and storage at leading to 10 gigabits per minute. Thunderbolt has been viewed American Samoa an alternative to USB 3.0, but Intel has the said the technologies are complementary. Apple uses Bombshell in its products.

Bombshell currently supports the PCI Express and DisplayPort protocols, and the interconnect does not require any Bone support on the far side existing computer software stacks for those protocols, an Intel spokesman said in an email.

But Microsoft's support testament aid the degenerate growth of USB 3.0 and bring home the bacon high transfer speeds for consumer devices, said Jim McGregor, research director at In-Stat.

"Bolt of lightning will be unrivalled of many incident options open, just like IEEE1394 and Firewire, but I think USB bequeath represent the preponderant interface because it is and then intemperately tied to the largest growth segment of the market, mobile devices, for both interconnectivity and might," McGregor said.

Bolt of lightning is based on copper wires, but ultimately leave be based on optical engineering science. That will boost the interconnect's transfer zip and aloofness, Intel has said.

"[USB 3.0] will still not beryllium as fast as the Thunderclap optic link, but cop never will make up as prompt A optics," McGregor said.

Receiving set charging could trumpet some USB 3.0 and Thunderbolt, provided it takes off, McGregor said. The transfer speeds may not be as fast, but device makers are showing interest in the engineering science, He said.

"Information technology may finally eliminate the need for peripheral connectors on mobile devices and then everyone will look to wireless interfaces," McGregor same.

Other than enthusiast users, drivers aren't something average PC users motivation to worry some, but native support for USB 3.0 in Windows 8 can't pain, aforesaid Nathan Brookwood [CQ], principal analyst at Perceptivity 64.

"When they are talking about the account of Windows 8, they are going to glucinium talking about the exploiter interface and … touch," Brookwood aforesaid.