USB4 is twice as fast as USB 3.2, will make the dongle life twice as complicated

Remember USB 3.2 2x2? Say hello to USB4

USB4

The dongle life seems set to get fifty-fifty more complicated, eventually.

In an effort to advance USB applied science, while confusing consumers, the USB Promoters Grouping has revealed another new format called USB4. This is hot on the heels of the reveal of USB 3.2 2×2, a new 20Gbps version of USB three.2 that features two 10Gbps channels

In a recent printing release, Intel and the USB-IF revealed USB4, the adjacent-generation version of USB that's set to utilize dual channels in guild to hit 40Gbps data transfer speeds. Intel says that current 40Gbps-certified USB-C cables will also be compatible with this recently announced upcoming format.

More importantly though, Intel says that Thunderbolt three will soon be bachelor to all manufacturers through a new open licensing system, potentially expanding its accomplish significantly. Currently, only 463 devices support Thunderbolt 3, with Apple'southward various MacBook laptops being some of the most notable devices to characteristic the technology.

USB4 is set to characteristic Thunderbolt iii compatibility as well. This means that the simultaneous transfer of data and display protocols would theoretically be possible with a USB4 port and cable that supports Thunderbolt 3.

"The principal goal of USB is to deliver the best user feel combining information, display and power commitment over a user-friendly and robust cable and connector solution," said Brad Saunders, USB Promoter Group Chairman in a recent press release. "The USB4 solution specifically tailors coach operation to further raise this experience by optimizing the alloy of data and display over a single connectedness and enabling the further doubling of operation."

As expected, USB 4 is also notwithstanding compatible with USB 2.0 and all forms of USB 3.2. That said, information technology'southward unlikely that we'll see products featuring USB4 anytime soon given that the technical specifications for USB 3.ii two×2 have only just been revealed. The official technical specs for USB4 probable won't be published until mid-2019, which means the upcoming port format won't hit hardware until 2020. When USB4 ports and uniform cables do eventually kickoff to hit the market place, the new port format seems set to be the one cablevision to rule them all.

Effectively, this ways that 40Gbps volition soon exist the new universal standard for all hereafter and USB ports. Further, it'due south probable that Thunderbolt iii will soon be featured in more devices now that Intel has adopted an open standard for the port format and plans to straight layer it on top of USB4. This new transfer speed works with the USB-C port standard, so users don't have to worry about a new port size to facilitate these new speeds.

Image credit: Intel

Via: Engadget

Source. USB.org, Intel