2011 should be a much bigger year for the technology, especially in mobile PCs, driven by the first chipsets from AMD that integrate SuperSpeed into the core logic chipset. Intel is expected to follow with its Ivy Bridge chipset in 2012. This all will lead to sales of USB 3.0-capable devices to 80 million units.

“Mobile phones are a key driver for USB overall, and will play a role in the adoption of SuperSpeed USB. In 2010, USB was found internally in over 1.2 billion mobile phones, with high-speed USB dominating.  In addition, the number of USB ports in phones increased to over 100 million units.  The first SuperSpeed USB phones won't hit the market until late 2013, but they will be accompanied by a new SuperSpeed connector for phones that will succeed the current micro-USB port found in today's phones," said Brian O’Rourke, a research director at In-Stat.

In-Stat to forecasts that nearly 80 million USB SuperSpeed-enabled devices will ship in 2011. About 3.5 billion USB devices shipped in 2010, according to In-Stat.

USB 2.0 is still the most popular USB interface, comprising over three-quarters of USB device shipments in 2010. Core logic integration is key to the acceptance of a new USB specification, because it allows notoriously cost-conscious PC OEMs to offer it for free.

According to In-Stat, Consumer Electronics continues to be a key product segment for USB, with digital still cameras, digital televisions (DTV), set top boxes, and portable media players (PMP) among the most popular applications.

Tags: USB