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I thought that I had read that Lightning is only equal to maybe USB 2.0 speeds. So would this Controller be for the new Smart Connector? If so, the SC could be for use with a dock that has multiple high speed ports.
 
isn't thunderbolt and USB 3.0 based on relatively similar protocols...

No, Thunderbolt = PCIe, USB not.

When I look at the datasheet of this USB 3.0 host controller, it makes me wonder if it plays a role in this new 4-pin expansion connector next to the Lighting port. However, for USB 3.0 you need more than 4 pins. Please note, it's a HOST connector normally found in a PC. When you connect e.g. an iDevice to a PC/Mac it acts as an device.
 
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I thought that I had read that Lightning is only equal to maybe USB 2.0 speeds. So would this Controller be for the new Smart Connector? If so, the SC could be for use with a dock that has multiple high speed ports.

3 pins cannot carry USB2, let alone USB3.
 
CNET stated that an adapter would be necessary for USB 3.0 speeds:

"There's no USB port on this iPad, but the lightning port supports USB 3-level speeds with forthcoming adapters."

To get USB 3.0 speeds the cable or adapter needs two extra differential pairs and an additional ground. My guess is that Apple will not update the Lightning cable to accommodate that requirement and will just sell us adapters that have the pin outs necessary to get the faster speeds. My guess is there will be an adapter for a Type-A USB 3.0 cable, an adapter for USB-C 3.1 Gen 1 and maybe a Gigabit Ethernet adapter. A Displayport adapter would also be a possibile. Once you get to USB 3.0, lots of opportunities present themselves.
 
CNET stated that an adapter would be necessary for USB 3.0 speeds:

"There's no USB port on this iPad, but the lightning port supports USB 3-level speeds with forthcoming adapters."

To get USB 3.0 speeds the cable or adapter needs two extra differential pairs and an additional ground. My guess is that Apple will not update the Lightning cable to accommodate that requirement and will just sell us adapters that have the pin outs necessary to get the faster speeds. My guess is there will be an adapter for a Type-A USB 3.0 cable, an adapter for USB-C 3.1 Gen 1 and maybe a Gigabit Ethernet adapter. A Displayport adapter would also be a possibile. Once you get to USB 3.0, lots of opportunities present themselves.

Source: http://www.cnet.com/products/apple-ipad-pro/
 
They are using standard Lightning cables which are just USB 2.0. And I've never really got the theoritical 60MB/s on a USB 2.0 connection. Best I've ever seen is 35MB/s. I was hoping that iFixit would take a closer look at the pinouts on the Lightning port. My guess is that the two additional differential pairs and ground pins are there and when you plug in a regular Lightning cable it's USB 2.0 speeds. Plug in a lightning connector that have the other traces for the enhanced pinouts and you get USB 3.0.
 
They are using standard Lightning cables which are just USB 2.0. And I've never really got the theoritical 60MB/s on a USB 2.0 connection. Best I've ever seen is 35MB/s. I was hoping that iFixit would take a closer look at the pinouts on the Lightning port. My guess is that the two additional differential pairs and ground pins are there and when you plug in a regular Lightning cable it's USB 2.0 speeds. Plug in a lightning connector that have the other traces for the enhanced pinouts and you get USB 3.0.

Never gotten close to 60mb/sec, USB 2.0 seems to cap out around 30mb/sec for me which is slower than spinners these days let alone SSD's. Sad really as even the iPhone 6S flash memory is more than fast enough to need USB 3.0 speeds to fully take advantage of it.
 
Shine a light in the lightning port and count the number of pins. If still the same number, then there's no 'secret USB 3.0 mode'

It may not be that simple. USB 1.0/2.0 only uses 5 pins. Apple's lightning uses 8 pins. USB 2.0 only has 1 differential pair. Lightning has two. Since Apple doesn't have to pin compatible with USB, it's possible that the identification chip in the Lightning cable or adapter, allows the two differential pairs in the lightning to operate at USB 3.0 speeds. The reason USB 3.0 has 10 pins is that it has the original differential pair for USB 2.0 in addition to the 2 differential pairs for USB 3.0 speed.

I would like to know how many pins the new iPP lightning connector has, but if it's only the original 8, it could still work.
 
https://twitter.com/jeffcarlson/status/664869102859587584

Confirmed with Apple that iPad Pro’s USB 3 speeds via Lightning will require new adapters; no details or ship date

http://ipadforphotographers.com/2015/11/12/ipad-pro-lightning-port-is-usb-3-speed/

Update, Nov. 12, 2015:
I just confirmed with a source at Apple that there are forthcoming adapters that take advantage of the USB 3 speeds, but they aren’t yet confirming when they will ship. That’s bare-bones Apple-ese for “Yep, and you’ll find out more when we’re ready.”
 
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Well as far as USB bus concern, I was able to get my USB3.1 card work on my Mac mini via Thunderbolt adapter.It transfer about 625MB/s (RAID0 of two mSATA) in my slim USB3.1 case.
When I upgrade to 10.11.1, everything on USB went haywire
- Could not power the slim drive any more
- Look at the USB3.1 card in System Info, drivers loaded properly, but Mac refuse to connect..
Digging some more, I realize ElCapitan gets rating of 2.5 stars... I should of known not to update
Now I have to restore 10.10.5 - PITA ;-D and enjoy my USB3.1 speed
 
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Love the new USB 3.0 SD card reader! I have noticed that some are confusing this one with the USB 2.0 adapter, and/or expecting 3.0 speed with their IPhones or previous version iPads.

This new adapter will only give the 3.0 speed with an IPad Pro, although it will work with most IPhones and IPads...it only gives 2.0 speeds with those devices.

I have the older adapter and as the video stated, almost useless for raw files but the new one...ahhhh it's so fast! I am not a pro photog but for my usage I have found another reason that I am SO glad to have the IPP and this USB 3 adapter.

The easiest way to make sure you are purchasing the correct one is to look on bottom of box for [usb 3.0]. Everything else looks identical with the previous version adapter's box.
 
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I can vouch for the new SD adapter too. It's wicked fast. The old adaptor and the new one look exactly the same except for the model number. I can't wait for a USB 3.0 adapter to come out.
 
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