I think Firewires downfall is due to the success of USB. USB is still hated in the industry by many, because it is very unreliable. Most components don't work a

I think Firewires downfall is due to the success of USB. USB is still hated in the industry by many, because it is very unreliable. Most components don't work as specified. Some just stated up front that 3m cables are the limit, because a 5m cable like the standard defines is far too vulnerable against EM interference because the speed of USB2 hits physical limits. USB3 is just more lines and a more efficient data transfer on lower levels. Still, the plain reality was that firewire was too expensive. For manufacturers and users alike. USB was the far cheaper option with the same of even better capabilities, realiability problems weren't that know when devices were planned. The standard for USB is as verbose as that of firewire, but it wasn't hindered by restrictive licencing.