New USB 2.0(USB - Universal Serial Bus)specification is developed by Intel, Microsoft, NEC, Compaq, Lucent and Phillips.

USB 2.0 and current USB 1.1 specification didn't have much difference, still have the advantages like PnP(Plug-And-Play), maximum of 127 USB devices, 5V voltage and one IRQ requirement. But the most important change is transfer speed.

USB 2.0 extend the transfer speed from 12Mbps to 480Mbps which is exactly 40 times it's predecessor. So 1GB information can be transferred in 1 minute. This kind of speed even overtook IEEE 1394 transfer speed(400Mbps)& moved closer to Ultra DMA 66 transfer speed. USB 2.0 uses exactly the same transfer protocol of USB 1.1. So USB 2.0 can be backward compatbile to support USB 1.1 devices and the highest transfer speed will be 12Mbps.

The release of USB 2.0 specification will solve current USB CD-ROM, CDRW read-write speed limited only up to 6X. Popular USB product like printer, scanner & other peripheral will also have faster transfer speed in the future which will enhance USB usage and applications. For more information, please visit www.usb.org