Why Isnt FireWire the Standard Over USB: A Historical Perspective

Why Isn't FireWire the Standard Over USB: A Historical Perspective

FireWire, also known as IEEE 1394, was indeed faster than USB in its early iterations. However, despite its speed advantages, USB eventually supplanted FireWire as the standard interface for a wide range of devices. This article explores the key factors that influenced the transition from FireWire to USB, including complexity, cost, market adoption, versatility, development updates, and industry support.

Complexity and Cost

One of the primary reasons for the eventual decline of FireWire was its complexity and higher cost. Implementing FireWire was more demanding and expensive compared to USB. For consumer-grade devices, these factors presented significant barriers. As a result, manufacturers were less inclined to adopt FireWire, which ultimately contributed to its reduced market presence.

Market Adoption

USB quickly became the ubiquitous interface for devices such as keyboards, mice, and storage devices. Its early adoption in personal computers and peripherals helped establish it as the de facto standard. The widespread market adoption of USB further solidified its position, making it a preferred choice for consumers and device manufacturers.

Versatility and Ease of Use

USB offered a broader range of applications, including power delivery and data transfer. This versatility made it easier to use and integrate into devices. Manufacturers found USB to be more convenient and cost-effective, contributing to its dominance in the market. The ease of use also made USB more attractive to end-users, who prefer simple and standardized interfaces.

Development and Updates

USB has undergone several revisions, such as USB 2.0, 3.0, 3.1, 3.2, and USB4, which have significantly increased its speed and capabilities. These updates have made USB competitive with and often faster than FireWire. For example:

tUSB 3.0: Offers speeds up to 5 Gbps. tUSB 3.2: Provides even higher speeds. tUSB4: Further increases speed and adds backward compatibility.

These continual improvements have kept USB at the forefront of interface technology, cementing its position as the preferred standard.

Industry Support

The computer and electronics industry rallied around USB, leading to widespread support and adoption. Many manufacturers focused on USB development, resulting in a broad range of USB-compatible devices. Industry support also facilitated standardization, making USB a more reliable and intuitive choice for the broader market.

Apple and Royalties

Apple was the patent owner of FireWire. FireWire required royalties to be paid per hardware and per PC. In contrast, Intel offered royalty-free USB implementation to PC manufacturers. This move by Intel significantly impacted the market share of FireWire. When a computer shows an Intel sticker, it indicates that no royalties have been paid for the USB implementation, making it a more attractive option for manufacturers and consumers.

Apple attempted to lower the royalty fee, but it did not regain the market interest. By the time USB 3.0 was planned, the industry had already seen the benefits of USB's widespread adoption and integration. As USB continued to evolve and dominate the market, FireWire saw a decline in support and usage. Manufacturers began to phase out FireWire ports in favor of USB, further solidifying USB's position as the standard interface for most devices.

Conclusion: While FireWire had advantages in speed and certain applications, USB's lower cost, simplicity, versatility, and broad industry support led to its dominance. The ongoing development and updates of USB have kept it competitive and relevant in the evolving technological landscape.