Intel's (NASDAQ: INTC) Light Peak interface technology could arrive as early as 2011, according to some reports. Not much is known at this point about the optical connectivity technology currently under development by Intel. The chip giant does say, however, that Light Peak promises faster rates than even the new USB 3.0, which is at almost 5 Gbps--10 times the speed of USB 2.0, which it was created to replace.

Separately, Intel officials have talked about Light Peak hitting 10 Gbps or higher in full duplex mode; Intel Labs officials also told journalists in July that engineers have created prototypes of up to 50 Gbps, with the possibility of topping 100 Gbps over the next decade. In a nutshell, Light Peak promises to be a revolutionary advancement, with a much higher theoretical ceiling than something as mundane as USB.

No wonder some analysts have speculated that Intel is deliberately dragging its feet over incorporating support for USB 3.0 in its chipsets, a step vital for its wider adoption. And while Intel has confirmed that it has plans to support USB 3.0, no firm date has been set. For now, some reports are pegging support to come in 2011 while others don't think it will happen until 2012.

Finally, Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) has also opted to not incorporate USB 3.0 support in its product line, this despite being in possession of the USB 3.0 specification for more than a year now. This helped fuel rumors that Apple intends to adopt Light Peak over USB 3.0.

For more on this story:
- check out this article at eWeek
- check out this article at Apple Insider
- check out this article at ZDNet

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