[hej]

What? No.

Intel doesn't support USB3 yet. USB3 devices aren't even yet widespread. Since space is at a premium in the Airs, Apple obviously doesn't add an extra USB3 chip in them just to support what still is a niche feature.

Ivy Bridge does bring USB3 support. If the next generation of MacBooks (coming this summer) doesn't support USB3 you get to make your claim that Apple is trying to force Thunderbolt as a mass market technology. But no second earlier.

[bunderbunder]

Thunderbolt also requires additional hardware. When Ivy Bridge brings built-in USB3, Thunderbolt will still require additional hardware. And Thunderbolt devices aren't nearly as widespread as USB3 ones. (I can go to Target and buy a USB3 memory stick right now; it's not certain that Thunderbolt memory sticks will ever exist.) They tend to cost over twice as much, too.

[hej]

Take a look at the Cinema Display. Thunderbolt is Apple’s docking station replacement. That’s its purpose and it’s awesome. They are pushing Thunderbolt because it’s a perfect solution for a problem Apple has had for a long time. You have to be blind to Apple’s ecosystem to not see that.

They are not pushing it to replace USB3. That doesn’t even make sense. When Ivy Bridge MacBooks ship without USB3 you can claim that. No second earlier.

Yes, Apple is, like Intel, not enthusiastic about USB3. They don’t think it’s so important to move super fast. It’s just not top-priority. They will add it when it doesn’t cost them much and doesn’t add constraints to their design. But they are not stupid enough to believe that Thunderbolt could replace USB. Both technologies complement each other.