Intel and Apple's new ThunderBolt high-speed computer interface promises great things for the A/V industry. A new generation of ThunderBollt port audio acccessories are in development from major manufacturers.
Apple computer support for ThunderBolt peripherals began with it's DisplayPort replacement on the MacBook Pro line in 2011. By years end there should be well over 5 million or more Thunder-Bolt port Macs shipped - especially as TBolt ports are added to other desktop Macintosh and MacBook models. Currently Thunderbolt is available on Apple's entire MacBook Pro and iMac lineup.
The following hard drive, video and audio equipment makers who've announced upcoming support of developing ThunderBolt A/V accessories include:
AJA
Apogee
Avid Technology
Blackmagic
Canon Inc.
LaCie
Promise Technology
Universal Audio
Western Digital Corporation
The high speed I/O of the T-bolt port should permit development of a new standard in audio quality for Thunderbolt audio devices and equipment. Thunderbolt audio interfaces, and support for T-bolt on digital mixing boards has the potential to redefine high definition audio for profession and home recording studios.