The Intel Developer Forum (IDF) is coming to San Francisco next week, and there are reports that several USB 3.0-equipped gadgets will make an appearance. On display will be a Fujitsu laptop, the first of its kind, it uses NEC's host controller and will be demonstrated with a "SuperSpeed USB drive" from Buffalo Technology.
Point Grey Research will have a high-performance digital video camera present, which packs a three-megapixel Sony "IMX036" CMOS image sensor. The device is capable of outputting 1080p HD images at 60 frames per second and it will be displayed streaming uncompressed HD video to a notebook via a Fresco Logic USB 3.0 ExpressCard.
It wouldn't be much of a USB 3.0 party without a desktop motherboard on exhibit, and Asus will be showcasing an early SuperSpeed USB mainboard sample. The board on show will be Intel X58-based, appropriately outfitted with NEC's chip, and will swap data with a LucidPort USB 3.0 device. I imagine it will bear similarities to Asus' canceled P6X58.
There are plenty of big names behind the new USB spec, including Intel, HP, Microsoft, NEC, ST-Ericsson and Texas Instruments. With a backing like that, the first consumer-grade USB 3.0 devices are anticipated to arrive by early next year.