Apple not directly behind Light Peak?
updated 08:10 am EDT, Wed September 30, 2009
Apple less involved in Intel Light Peak
A counter-rumor today claims that stories of Apple creating Light Peak for Intel are false. The unnamed sources for CNET believe that Intel had already been developing the technology and that the semiconductor firm had simply asked Apple for feedback as part of its usual requests for outside input. Apple's specific influence isn't explained, but its tendency to ask for features "nobody else does" helped drive the technology, according to the tips.
Intel's program director behind Light Peak, Jason Ziller, has stated that his company has been developing the technology for the past two years but hasn't said if or when Apple was involved at the start of the project. Allegedly, Apple has wanted a format that could both replace most connectors or serve as a gateway for them on very small devices like iPhones and iPods.
The opposing interpretation of events nonetheless doesn't discuss Apple's possible plans for the 10-gigabit connector standard, which would not just be used for typical high-performance tasks such as solid-state drives but would put networking, video and other traffic on a single bus. Intel has acknowledged that Light Peak can simply route data from other standards and could implement DisplayPort, FireWire, USB 3.0 and other technologies all on a single connection.
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Dec 2005
Single connection, you say?
That sounds very much like a feature Apple would want: One specialty cable to run all of your data connections between a monitor, hub, or docking station to you main machine.
Just think, one special connection and your previously limited MacBook Air can now have all the USB, firewire, and external display connections from one port. Yeah, I can see some viability in this idea.