backwards compatible?

The burning question would be; is USB3.0 backwards compatible with USB2.0 (devices and connections).

If you can't plug a USB2.0 device into a USB3.0 supporting motherboard (and vice versa), it's a useless specification.

Cheers,
John

COOooOoLL! Not..

It's great to know as a consumer I'm going to get screwed again. Case and point: Firewire (or iLink for you Sony fanboys). Firewire has been around since 1995, except Apple pulled the same s**t and licensing fees kept it from totally replacing USB 1.0, 1.1, and 2.0 now. Why bother with a theoretical 480MB/s burst rate in USB 2.0 when you have higher sustained transfer rates in Firewire400 let alone 800? Simply put, USB 3.0 will go the same way Firewire went: in the garbage.

However, it is pretty interesting considering Intel is the developer. Their choice to provide two sub-compatibilities are forcing manufacturers of periphrials to choose a side. Who do they think is going to be around longer? Intel or AMD? Fierce move to stunt the growth of AMD, but it does nothing positive for the consumer. I will not support a company that would rather earn an extra $.25 USD in royalties per part than promote an interface and release it for common use (read 100% compatibility).


But then again, is this really any different than what anyone else does?

INtel´s Learning curve

Intel, remember Micro-Channel? How IBM made that too, proprietary? Remember the backlash. What happened. EISA. Industry standard. MCA by IBM? A footnote, to be included in bylines. Like this one!! COme off it!!! We all expect MUCH better, and BIGGER of you people!
By the way. Ever hear of ¨spillover effect¨? THATS´S what happens when people get tired of the bully on the block. They take it out on YOU by buying THE COMPETITION. (AMD) at ALL COSTS!! To the REST of US out here. One more reason why mean-spirited INTEL is OFF my radar. INtel just DOESN´t LEARN! Wait. ..... DO WE???