The latest round of technology speculation was triggered by a , which cited one source who is "familiar with this aspect of Apple's plans." The source tells CNET that Apple is expected to adopt the Intel-based Light Peak connection technology "in the near future."

Intel initially demonstrated Light Peak at its developer conference in 2009, using a machine running Apple's Mac OS X operating system, according to CNET. The idea is to create one alternative for the various cables that connect computers with monitors, printers, and the full panoply of exterior-connected devices.

IPAD 3 WATCH:

Already, Apple-focused Websites and blogs are speculating that what's been dubbed the  "mystery port" on some third-party cases purportedly designed for iPad 2 might be for a Of course, it could be for the long-rumored and much more conventional iPad 2 USB port.

Light Peak's bandwidth at first will be 10Gbps, eventually scaling to 100Gbps over the next 10 years, .  Intel expects Light Peak to appear in computers and peripherals in 2011, according to the company's Website