Firewire didn’t appear on one of the latest iPods, if memory serves. Sounds like Firewire is goin’ bye-bye.
1394a and 1394b (Firewireâ„¢)
http://focus.ti.com/analog/docs/gencontent.tsp?familyId=361&genContentId=32541
In 1995, Texas Instruments pioneered the introduction of 1394 in the consumer electronics market with the first 1394 silicon in a digital camcorder.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FireWire
IEEE 1394 has been adopted as the High Definition Audio-Video Network Alliance (HANA) standard connection interface for A/V (audio/visual) component communication and control[1]. FireWire is also available in wireless, fiber optic, and coaxial versions using the isochronous protocols. Wireless FireWire is being integrated into the WiMedia Alliance’s WiMedia Ultra-Wideband (UWB) standard. Almost all modern digital camcorders have included this connection since 1995.
What is a Firewire to USB Adapter?
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-firewire-to-usb-adapter.htm
Firewire (IEEE 1394) and USB (Universal Serial Bus) are two separate high-speed bus technologies that allow multiple devices to be connected to a computer. The two technologies are not integrated, and it is not possible to connect a USB device to a Firewire port either directly or through the use of a Firewire to USB adapter.