Even though Apple’s new Lightning connector is super easy to use and quicker than the old 30-pin connectors, it could be better. Right now, the Lightning port on iOS devices doesn’t transfer data at USB 3.0 speeds, even though it’s thought to be able to support it.
A recent listing on Apple’s jobs site might be clueing us in that Apple wants to boost transfer speeds on iOS devices by adding USB 3.0 support.
The job listing calls for a Senior Software Quality Engineer (USB) to join the USB Connectivity Compliance QA Team. Qualified individuals are expected to have knowledge of high speed bus device testing for both USB 2.0 and USB 3.0, along with knowledge of USB triggering and analysis and some other Electrical Engineering and Computer Science skills.
The new hire might be used to help implement the USB 3.0 standard into iOS devices. but seems how it’s just a job posting with few details on what the individual would actually be doing, we don’t really know for sure. However, Apple did add USB 3.0 ports on the newer Macs, so it seems like it’d be a waste if Apple doesn’t update iOS devices to take advantage of those soon, so we think it’s a safe bet that USB 3.0 support will be coming in the future.
Source: AppleBitch