In May 2011, 
The way in which we shuttle files back and forth between our mobile devices and home PCs is changing, but changing to what? Just as the SuperSpeed USB 3.0 spec gets ready to be baked in natively to chipsets from Intel and AMD, both companies are also looking at Thunderbolt (Intel) or equivalent alternatives (AMD), but where USB 3.0 has an advantage is in cost.
With Ivy Bridge chipsets receiving USB 3.0 certification recently, Intel is now all set to support the technology natively with its next-generation processor platform. But it isn’t the only data transfer technology that Intel plans to support. According to a new report, Intel’s Thunderbolt technology will strike the PC market in April 2012
Intel introduced the world to the next generation of Thunderbolt controllers at IDF 2011 recently. We were told that the next-generation controllers, codenamed “Cactus Ridge," will be available next year when chips based on the Ivy Bridge architecture begin shipping. But a fresh rumor suggests that the two Cactus Ridge chipsets revealed earlier in the month aren’t the only Thunderbolt controllers that Intel has lined up.
In case you haven’t noticed, Gordon’s been updating the Maximum PC Twitter feed with timely bursts of insight from the ongoing Intel Developer Forum. If you didn’t notice, shame on you! You’ve been missing out on all kinds of info, like the fact that Intel showed off nifty things like an Ultrabook running Windows 8, Ivy Bridge tidbits and next-gen Haswell and Atom news. Something else you missed: the announcement that next year, the super-speedy Thunderbolt connection is coming to the PC.
While still very rare, external graphics card docks for notebooks are nothing new. But Sony’s implementation of this idea is way more interesting than anything we have seen before. The Japanese electronics behemoth has just announced a new 13-inch ultraportable. Measuring 16.65mm at its thickest point and weighing a mere 2.64 pounds, the Vaio Z has been designed to receive an on-demand shot in the arm from its Light Peak-enabled Power Media Dock. Hit the jump for more.
They say you can never have too much of a good thing. That theory's being put to the test by computer transfer technology. We've already got FireWire, USB, Ethernet, eSATA, et cetera, et cetera. Now, an old contender is entering the field sporting new technology; the PCI Special Interest Group recently announced that they're developing a new standard for an external, cabled version of the formerly internal-only PCI Express. Watch out, Apple and Intel – this tech's set to collide with Thunderbolt in the marketplace.
Not that this will make any difference whatsoever to conspiracy theorists, but by this time next year, you won't hardly be able to find a new PC without a USB 3.0 port. Yes, we've heard all about how Intel is intentionally delaying adding native USB 3.0 support in its chipsets in order to promote its own Light Peak/Thunderbolt interface, but if even if that were true, it doesn't matter because as of right now, OEMs are content with USB.
Conspiracy theorists contend that the reason it's taking Intel so long to natively support the SuperSpeed USB 3.0 interface is because the Santa Clara chip maker is invested in its Thunderbolt (formerly known as Light Peak) interconnect. If that's the case, the plan isn't working, because at least one major OEM is having trouble finding value in Thunderbolt.
For those of you who celebrate the holiday, have a happy Easter going into the weekend. And whether you celebrate it or not, almost everyone is welcome to reduced pricing on HTC's Thunderbolt 4G smartphone for Verizon, courtesy of Amazon. The e-tailer has marked the Thunderbolt down from its usual selling price of $250 to $130, which is valid for new customers who sign a two-year service agreement. Existing customers hoping to upgrade have to fork over $200.
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