This seems like a great idea, but wouldn't the USB 3.0 / Thunderbolt interface hinder the transfer speeds of fiber optics? Thoughts on the idea of fiber optic peripheral cables? Is this a practical application of the technology from a cost to performance perspective?
http://www.corning.com/opcomm/OpticalCablesbyCorning/products/USB-3.Optical.aspx#.VCYKQX-q8cs
http://www.gizmag.com/corning-laser-optical-cable/25692/
I don't think the fiber was intended to make the USB 3/Thunderbolt faster but more to provide long distance, low power, stable connections with tons of headroom.
The way I see it is both USB 3 and Thunderbolt have version revisions and barring a physical change to the port these cables should be good for every speed boost that comes into play. The optical cable can run far higher speeds than the standards are capable of pushing so every time a revision of USB3 comes along (like the 10GB/s update) these cables will just carry on and use the higher speed.
The only thing is at each end there will be copper. I am not sure is that will slow things down so as to negate any speed boost that comes along.
I could also be entirely wrong about this, it sounds logical in my head that this is how they would work and are intended to work.
I agree with zibob. They are not to increase the transfer rates. My thoughts are that it is ridiculously overpriced and does not offer anywhere near enough convenience to make up for the price tag.