Decoded: USB 3.0

The third version of the Universal Serial Bus (USB) uses a new transfer rate known as SuperSpeed USB (SS) which can transfer data up to ten times faster than the USB 2.0.

1. It is used as a standard power connector for innumerable smartphones and other gadgets. With the release of USB 3.1 and its accompanying new physical format, Type-C, the specifications’ scope has expanded once again to include more speed, power, and versatility.

2. USB 3.0 is also backwards compatible with USB 2.0. Old devices will also be able to communicate with the new interface. This new SuperSpeed interface provides realistic transfer rates of around 3,200 Mbits/s or 3.2 Gbits/s. The theoretical top signaling rate is at 4.8 Gbits/s.

3. With USB 3.0, users can transfer a 10GB file from a computer to an external drive in approximately 25 seconds. With USB 2.0 this would take more than five minutes.

4. Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Linux already support USB 3.0 and Mac is expected follow as well.

5. USB Type-C is also a USB connector format introduced alongside the USB 3.1, which is intended to eventually replace all current USB connectors, including the traditional USB-A connector, USB-B, and Micro-B.