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Apple Releases Free, OS-Independent, FireWire SDK

Posted by pudge on from the mmmm-beeeeer dept.

mcwop writes "Apple announced the release of a free FireWire SDK for embedded devices. The kit is not OS-dependent. Is this a response to the release of USB 2.0 or is Apple simply trying to keep a steady stream of FireWire devices coming? What effect will this have on FireWire b? What are the effects on the Open Source community developing FireWire interfaces? Time will tell. Nonetheless this is an interesting development."

3 of 179 comments (clear)

  1. Well, he got one out of three... by Llywelyn · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Free? Not really, unless you count "evaluation" as free. Or perhaps I'm looking at the wrong thing, hard to tell.

    Platform Independent? FireWire is, Apple's SDK is not (last I checked).

    FireWire SDK. Yes, defiantly.

    Well, I guess it *is* too much to ask on /. that the person and reviewer both actually *read* the information before commenting on it.

    I guess it would also be too much to ask for a link to the actual press release.

    --
    Integrate Keynote and LaTeX
  2. Not just the speed by pbrice68 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Although USB 2.0 may be 480 vs FireWires 400 MB/sec, there are other beneifts to FireWire (other than FireWire 2, at 800 MB/sec, should be out and about this year) like: 1. You don't need a computer to use FireWire. One FireWire device can connect directly to another FireWire device without a workstation. Although we don't see much implementation of this - it would be conventient. How about a FireWire port on my car stereo to connect my iPod? 2. FireWire can carry POWER as well as data. WHen you plug an iPod in with it's FireWire cable, it charges as well as trasmits data through the same cable. In fact, if you should need to recharge away from your computer, the usual AC plug for recharging is a FireWire cable. I do think that Apple fucked up when they made licensing the name so expensive. Instead of one name "FireWire" everywhere you go, you see FireWire on Apple's, iLink on Sony computers and cameras,...etc. With all these different names, nobody realizes how pervasive it is. SOme PC users don't even know they have FireWire, and most Mac users don't know they have "1394".

  3. Re:Yaay apple! by timothy_m_smith · · Score: 4, Insightful
    Please define "greedy." According to Apple [apple.com], the fee is exactly $0.00 for the license to use the name and logo (you can even apply on-line and save the cost of a stamp):

    I think he was referring to Apple being greedy in the past. I believe that prior to this announcement, using the name FireWire cost the OEMs $1-2 per product.