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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.

 
Previous Comments

Single connection, you say?

09/30, 09:55am (1 reply) reply

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.

danviento

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Dec 2005

+4

It seems to be useful for buyers

09/30, 10:35am reply

as long as it starts out as an added port to all the others already in use otherwise what happens to all your older peripherals. I know I was fairly unhappy at the time when Apple moved from SCSI to whatever came after it. I realize transitions are necessary but it doesn't always make it any easier. It seems like I'm already seeing the demise of FW400 and was a bit unhappy until I saw a FW800 to FW400 adapter offered. I can live with that.

iphonerulez

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Nov 2008

+1

Re: It seems useful

09/30, 12:23pm reply

What you say is 100% true. But this is Apple. They aren't known for keeping backward compatibility. It would be more likely to see Apple put one of these new fangled ports on their machines and drop all others.

And then we get to hear how Apple is looking forward and saving us money by not adding all those legacy ports, regardless of the fact it does cost us money since we then have to buy new peripherals or adapters or what-not.

testudo

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Aug 2001

-1

Good for Intel

09/30, 12:28pm reply

Regardless of how much Apple did or didn't have directly to do with it, the fact that Intel is asking for their feedback is crucial. This is how technology moves forward. Apple is one of the very few companies who is not afraid to push new technology through regardless of the cost. It's good to see that Intel is trying to do the same thing.

On machines like the Macbook Air, a single port that can do everything would be pretty awesome. There is a lot of potential in something like this, not just for Apple but for everybody. TVs could incorporate a light peak port and have instant expandability and network. Almost any type of device could have a single light peak port and have all kinds of expanded functionality. It just makes sense.

Johnny Niles

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Jun 2007

+4

Re: good for intel

09/30, 12:36pm reply

TVs could incorporate a light peak port and have instant expandability and network. Almost any type of device could have a single light peak port and have all kinds of expanded functionality

No, it would NOT give them instant expandability. The fact of having a port does not magically give you network access, say. You still need hardware and software in the device in order to expand to this functionality.

And most devices don't need this to get that, since they're usually big enough you could just slap the existing ports on them. It isn't like the back of a TV is lacking space for a network port.

And bear in mind you'd still have all the same cables as before, its just all going into a hub to merge into a light-speed cable, unless you think all networking hardware, video, printers, scanners, etc, are all going to switch next year and everyone is buying new hardware to go along with their ports.

testudo

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Aug 2001

0

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