While many are satisfied with the current USB 2.0 standard, the need for USB 3.0 is here and many are eagerly awaiting its arrival. Nordic Hardware says that things are picking up steam for USB 3.0.

At a USB 3.0 seminar last week in Tokyo, it was revealed that the first test specifiacation, "Test Specification 1.0," will be released at the end of June this year. This means that testing will begin in the second half of 2009 and we should see USB 3.0 products on the market by mid-2010.

USB 3.0 is slated to bump the transfer rate of USB up to 5000Mbps, more than ten times that of the current 480Mbps of USB 2.0. This should allow for some very fast external storage options, and the increased power offered by the new USB spec should also allow the introduction of more bus-powered devices.

Compatibility tests for transmitting circuits and receiving circuits will begin in the second half of 2009, he said. After that, USB Implementers Forum Inc (USB-IF) will have its first "compliance workshop" at about the end of 2009. And USB 3.0-compatible end products certified by USB-IF are expected to debut in 2010.