Well, it seems that it’s Apple, not Intel, that has trademarked “Thunderbolt.” It’s been previously reported that the technology was developed by Intel with collaboration from Apple. Perhaps that collaboration was greater than anyone suspected.
“MacNN” (http://macte.ch/2oMcG) says Apple is “making claims to the Thunderbolt trademark in the U.S. and Canada, based on an earlier filing last November in Jamaica.” Thunderbolt is a new high-speed computer connection technology that brings together high-speed data transfer and high-definition (HD) display on to a single cable. And it’s already appearing on Macs — in the revamped 2011 MacBook Pro and iMac lines.
Running at 10Gbps, Thunderbolt technology can transfer a full-length HD movie in less than 30 seconds, according to Mooly Eden, general manager, PC Client Group, Intel. The vision for Thunderbolt technology (formerly codenamed “Light Peak”) is to move media faster, simplify connections between devices, and foster new and exciting ways to build and use computers, says Eden.
Combining high-speed data and HD video connections together onto a single cable is instrumental to achieving that vision. Thunderbolt technology delivers this via two communications methods, or protocols — PCI Express for data transfer and DisplayPort for displays.
— Dennis Sellers