Apple do like open standards such as Quicktime, Rendezvous or iSynch. It looks like they are now adding Firewire(IEEE 1394 , iLink).
USB2 looks to have little effect on the current market for Firewire since a big supporter of the format is Sony with the iLink. Sony seem to put iLink into all they produce, even the Playstation2.
The speed difference between USB2 and USB allows it to compete with Firewire. Firewire still has a number of additional advantages. Most noteble for proffessional Video and designers is the fact that Firewire can allow more power running through the cable. This means that USB is fine for, say, smaller cameras but Firwire is needed for more power hungry cameras.
Firewire2 is also just around the corner and expected in Apple and Sony machines around the new year. This will nearly double the speed of USB2. So USB2 may have a slight speed advantage for a few months at the most.
It looks like USB will be used for consumer and low power appliances while Firewire(IEEE 1394, iLink) will continue to be used where speed and power are a great factor.
