A new report uncovered at AppleInsider claims that Apple is forging ahead with plans to implement USB 3.0 in its Mac computers -- independent of Intel's plans to eventually support USB 3.0 at the chipset level. The reporting cites an anonymous source who claims Apple is "still looking" at USB 3.0 for future products and may beat Intel in supporting the standard. Though Apple has long been rumored to be eyeing USB 3.0 capability for the Mac, the company's recent commitment to the high-speed Thunderbolt interconnect has dampened talk of its getting into the USB 3.0 game. Nonetheless, according to the report, USB 3.0 host controllers may have finally reached an "affordable level" for Apple -- roughly $2-3 each in large quantities, compared to $10-15 for Intel's Thunderbolt chip -- and speculation is that the rumored move to incorporate the technology may be intended to help Apple cater to consumers who don't need or aren't interested in owning high-end Thunderbolt products.
Link: Rumor: Apple investigating USB 3.0 for Macs ahead of Intel (appleinsider.com)
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