Get those lighters ready, a comeback tour is currently in the works for the under-appreciated and seldom used FireWire interface. FireWire was once a big name rockstar, featuring Apple's backing and high-speeds, but the PC revolution of the past decade has slowly pushed FireWire into retirement, allowing USB to reign supreme.
The 1394 Trade Association recently announced a new FireWire standard capable of quadrupling the speeds of the previous FireWire 800 standard, to 3.2 gigabits per second. New FireWire gear based on the spec will be available in 2008, according to 1394 Trade Association. Sticking with an often intimidating and confusing numbered name, the new S3200 standard is looking to kick USB to the curb for dominance in cabling.
Pros and Cons USB and FireWire
Both FireWire S3200 and USB 3.0 have advantages and disadvantages.
USB 3.0 does have the higher speed. It also includes a familiarity with the general consumers that was built up thanks to the success of USB 2.0. It also doesn't hurt that nearly every major computer accessory and peripheral released in the past few years supports USB.
On the other hand, to take advantage of new speeds and features of USB 3.0 consumers will have to upgrade their USB ports and cables. This is where S3200 is trying to one-up USB 3.0. S3200 will operate on the same cables and connectors from the prior FireWire standard.
A lot of the other beneficial features with FireWire could have a significant impact on the battle, especially now that the average consumer is a lot more familiar with computer peripherals that use USB or FireWire. Some of these features include a peer-to-peer architecture, meaning that the computer could be eliminated entirely from some common digital tasks - for example hooking up a scanner directly to a printer. Also because FireWire is capable of providing much more power than USB this could eliminate unnecessary power adapters for peripherals such as external hard drives and alike.
Will the familiar sounds of the USB interface hold strong? Or will the FireWire be able to win away the crowds with its rocking technology and convenience? Only time will tell on 2008's Battle of the Cable Standard.
I hope firewire comes through and takes over USB's position because USB does have power problems which are sometimes unsolvable.