USB4 brings 40Gbps speeds and improved Power Delivery

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The specifications of the next generation USB architecture USB4 are out! We can not deny the fact that today we have access to faster USB ports as compared to the past. The news was announced by the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) this week. 

The USB4 standard offers various enhanced capabilities as compared to the previous version. It supports a total power of over 100 watts and external GPUs. Users need to have a USB4 compatible cable to achieve high transfer speeds.

If you are a USB 3.0, USB 2.0 and Thunderbolt 3 user, you will be amazed to learn that the latest USB 4 offers backward compatibility.

This means all of your new devices, including tablets, cables, laptops or smartphones will be compatible with the previous-gen devices you currently have. 

Furthermore, keep in mind that only the laptop models that have type-C ports are eligible for the new interface.

It’s still unclear whether USB-IF will follow the same naming convention as it has been using previously. Notably, more than 50 companies are currently working on the final draft of the specifications.

USB4 lands in the second half of 2019

You can expect the USB4 specification to be officially released in Chromebooks and other laptops around in the second half of the next year.

Furthermore, the different types of devices will be forced to support features based on strict requirements. It will be an open standard so the actual enforcement mechanisms will still be missing.

Although there is still an inherent risk to face the out of spec or incomplete implementations.

Times have gone when you used to transfer hundreds of video clips and songs using USB 2.0 port.

From now onwards USB 4 is definitely going to revolutionize the tech industry. Let’s wait and watch when the USB4 powered devices hit the stores.

For more information, you can check out the official USB4 specs guide.

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