What the Heck Happened to Apple's FireWire?

Summary

This video explores the rise and fall of FireWire, the revolutionary data transfer technology developed by Apple in the 1980s. Originally designed for high-speed video and audio transfers, FireWire became crucial for video editing, music production, and more. Despite its superior performance over USB, Apple's decision to introduce licensing fees led to FireWire's decline as USB 2.0 gained momentum. The video traces FireWire’s impact on the creative industries and its legacy, revealing how it influenced technology like Thunderbolt and USBC, leaving behind a lasting mark on digital media production.

Takeaways

• 😀 FireWire was developed by Apple in the 1980s as a revolutionary data transfer standard, aimed at replacing unreliable ports like SCSI and parallel ports.
• 😀 FireWire enabled high-speed data transfer for video and audio, specifically designed for professional video editing and media production.
• 😀 The initial implementation of FireWire faced numerous issues, including device conflicts and cable problems, but Apple pushed forward, eventually making it a standard for many professional devices.
• 😀 Apple made FireWire an open standard by submitting it to IEEE 1394, allowing it to support 400 Mbps speeds, vastly outperforming USB 1.1.
• 😀 The iMac G3, a popular Apple product, included FireWire as an essential feature for video editing, making it the go-to device for DIY filmmakers and creators in the early 2000s.
• 😀 Apple’s decision to introduce the iPod was a game-changer, with FireWire’s speed enabling fast transfers of music, enhancing the overall user experience.
• 😀 USB 2.0, which launched with a higher theoretical speed of 480 Mbps, quickly became a competitor to FireWire and was dubbed the 'FireWire killer'.
• 😀 Apple responded with FireWire 800, which doubled the transfer speed of the original FireWire but couldn't stop USB 2.0's widespread adoption.
• 😀 A major turning point for FireWire's downfall was Apple’s decision to charge manufacturers licensing fees for using the technology, leading to widespread backlash.
• 😀 Intel’s shift to USB 2.0 as the default standard for PC motherboards, despite FireWire’s superior technical performance, marked the end of FireWire’s dominance in consumer tech.
• 😀 Although FireWire is no longer in widespread use, its legacy lives on in technologies like Thunderbolt, which carries over FireWire’s DNA in terms of high-speed data transfer and power delivery.

Q & A

What is FireWire and why was it important for video editing?

FireWire was a high-speed data transfer technology introduced by Apple in the 1990s. It was crucial for video editing because it allowed for fast and reliable transfer of large video files, making it ideal for professional-grade video and audio streaming.

Why did Apple initially create FireWire?

Apple created FireWire in the 1980s to solve the problems with existing data transfer technologies like parallel and SCSI ports, which were unreliable and complex. FireWire aimed to provide a universal standard for data transfer, with a focus on real-time video and audio performance.

What were the key features of FireWire that made it stand out from other technologies?

FireWire featured asynchronous data transfer, which ensured consistent real-time bandwidth for video and audio streams. It also offered two connector types and provided up to 45W of power through its six-pin connector. Its high speed and peer-to-peer capability made it ideal for multimedia applications.

How did FireWire contribute to the rise of home video editing in the early 2000s?

FireWire enabled home users to connect video cameras to computers and transfer large video files quickly, making video editing accessible to DIY filmmakers. It became the standard for video production, allowing people to create content at home and fueling the early growth of platforms like YouTube.

What role did FireWire play in the success of the iPod?

FireWire played a key role in the iPod's success by enabling faster data transfer for syncing music. The FireWire connection allowed a full CD's worth of music to be transferred to the iPod in just 10 seconds, vastly improving the user experience compared to slower USB connections.

Why did USB 2.0 eventually surpass FireWire?

USB 2.0 offered similar speeds to FireWire but had the advantage of being integrated into every PC motherboard and being more cost-effective. As USB 2.0 became widely available, manufacturers preferred it over FireWire due to its lower cost and easier implementation, which eventually led to FireWire's decline.

How did Apple's decision to charge licensing fees for FireWire impact its adoption?

Apple's decision to charge licensing fees for FireWire in 1999 angered many manufacturers, especially chipmakers and PC manufacturers who had adopted FireWire. This led to strained relationships, and as a result, Intel chose to integrate USB 2.0 instead, which ultimately became the dominant standard.

What was the impact of Apple's licensing fee on Intel’s decision regarding FireWire?

Intel, which had been considering adding FireWire to its motherboards, pulled back on this plan after the licensing fee was introduced. Instead, Intel embraced USB 2.0, which was free to use, leading to the widespread adoption of USB 2.0 and the decline of FireWire.

What legacy did FireWire leave behind despite its decline?

FireWire's legacy lies in its role in the creative revolution of the early 2000s. It enabled filmmakers, musicians, and content creators to produce professional-quality work from home. Although it was eventually replaced by other technologies like USB and Thunderbolt, FireWire played a pivotal role in the democratization of digital content creation.

How did FireWire evolve into modern technologies like Thunderbolt?

FireWire's core features, such as high-speed data transfer, daisy-chaining, and power delivery, influenced the development of Thunderbolt. Thunderbolt, developed by Apple in partnership with Intel, incorporated these features and became the successor to FireWire, offering even faster speeds and broader compatibility.