FireWire S3200 could challenge USB 3.0

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FireWire S3200 - a competitor to the USB standard could be approved by February 2008, earlier than USB 3.0.

FireWire S3200 is the third version of the FireWire standard. The original version, FireWire 400, used the arch-shaped connector on desktop computers and an M-shaped mini-plug on laptops. It was supported by Apple.

FireWire 400 ran at 400Mbps, comparable to USB 2.0. The second version, FireWire 800, was not widely adopted.

The latest FireWire standard, just announced by the 1394 Trade Association, is capable of speeds of 3.2 gigabits per second.

Although, at 4.8 gigabits per second, USB 3.0 has a higher speed than firewire, to take advantage of it, consumers will need to upgrade their USB ports and cables.

FireWire S3200, on the other hand, will operate on the same cables and connectors from the prior FireWire standard.

FireWire also features a peer-to-peer architecture, which allows the computer to be eliminated from tasks such as connecting a scanner directly to a printer.

A further advantage is that FireWire can provide power than USB - its use could eliminate unnecessary power adapters for peripherals devices such as external hard drives.