The future of I/O connectivity is bright—literally. Intel has developed what it says is the "world's first silicon-based optical data connection with integrated lasers using Hybrid Silicon Laser technology." Using an integrated transmitter chip, an integrated receiver, and beams of light going through a fiber-optic cable, the prototype can transfer data at a whopping 50Gbps. More exciting still, Intel expects to be able to manufacture the components cheaply enough to make them a staple of both consumer and server I/O by the middle of the decade.

News: Intel announces silicon photonics breakthrough