Considering that Intel plans on integrating USB 3 alongside Thunderbolt into their next processor, Ivy Bridge, sometime in 2012, it was assumed that when Apple uses that processor they would use USB 3, as well. However, VR-Zone reports that Apple is looking at doing this before Ivy Bridge is available. But it begs the question, for what product?

Published yesterday at the US Patent and trademark Office is a new patent awarded to Apple, Inc. for a hybrid dock connector that will work with both DisplayPort (Thunderbolt) and USB 3.0. Patently Apple seems to think this new connection could make its way into Apple devices before the end of the year, or, more likely, sometime next year when USB 3.0 may also make its way onto a Mac.

To preface this article, yes it has been several months since Apple gave us the thumbs-down on FireWire by axing it from the latest round of MacBook updates (it survives on the MacBook Pro, but only in the less popular Firewire 800 form). Much has been said, though little has been done—although there is an online petition to bring FireWire back to the MacBook. But a conversation with a client and an Apple Genius at my local Apple store recently brought the issue back for a while, and it is worth sharing.

With a top speed of 4.8 Gbps and a perfectly hideous logo, USB 3.0 is expected to be unveiled next week. Gizmodo spells out what that means: Ten times faster than the old USB spec, USB 3.0 can transfer a 27GB file in just 70 seconds. Plus, with more “lanes” of data within the connector, more »