Back in May was the announcement of USB 3.0, as well as SATA 3.0, both fully backwards compatible and adding a a significant increase in speed.  In the case of USB 3.0, the cable its self has changes; so while a USB 3.0 cord will plug into a USB 2.0 port and work, as will a USB 2.0 cord in a USB 3.0 port, only a USB 3.0 cable and device in a USB 3.0 plug will let you reach the 5Gbps of transfer speed available.  Now Engadget has had word of the first USB 3.0 chipset, coming from NEC hopefully some time before the new year.   You can also sneak a quick peek at the first SATA 3.0 over at Gizmodo, in the form of the Seagate Barracuda XT.

“You heard it here first, folks: SuperSpeed USB is a reality. After waiting around for what feels like ages, USB 3.0 can now say it has its first certified product in NEC’s xHCI host controller. We know this may not be the most exciting first product to get the all-important seal of approval, but you’ve got to start somewhere. And hey, for those who know a thing or two about building a product to spec, having a legitimate host controller could sure come in handy. We spoke to Jeff Ravencraft, president and chairman of the USB-IF (the group that oversees certification and the like), and he stated that (officially) the group is still anticipating end products to hit shelves in early 2010. That said, this here host controller is available now in the open market, and he did confess that a number of manufacturers would likely try to get USB 3.0-equipped wares onto store shelves before that magical day in December.”

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