Seeing the light

[unixronin]

A while ago, I talked about replacing all the profusion of incompatible copper data interconnects between computers, peripherals and home-electronics devices with a single unified optical-fiber connection standard that could carry everything but power, and as a bonus wouldn’t pick up surge currents.

Intel just demonstrated essentially what I talked about.  They call it Light Peak.  Intel appears to be designing it to be logic and protocol compatible with the USB 3.0 specification — essentially, implementing USB 3.0 over fiber.  It’s hot-pluggable, and Intel says you can tie it in a knot and it’ll still work.  The current implementation can carry 10 gigabits per second, full duplex, over distances up to 100 meters, and Intel is predicting 100Gbps in the next decade.

It’s about time.  Good for Intel.  I just wish Intel could internalize the idea that when it can come up with stuff this good, it doesn’t need to play dirty pool in the marketplace.  Products like this will sell themselves.

Comments

[otherbill.livejournal.com]

I wish I could elaborate, but all I can do is agree. :)