TECHWEEKThe USB 4 output is coming, which will allow your gadgets to transfer content much faster. Announced on March 4 by the USB Promoter Group, the USB 4 architecture will outperform Thunderbolt 3 and also be able to handle new standards.
So, from speed boosts to new display connectivity options, here’s everything you need to know about the new USB 4.
USB 4 is Coming: What You Need to Know
WHAT IS USB 4? WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE?
The biggest difference for most users is the 100-700% increase in USB speed (not to be confused with Thunderbolt), depending on the surrounding hardware. If you keep using USB 3.0 ports, they top out at 5Gbps, and the new USB 4 goes up to 40Gbps, which is beyond your wildest expectations.
As part of the announcement, there was also news that USB 4 would be compatible with Thunderbolt 3 (as well as USB 3.2 and USB 2.0). In addition, Thunderbolt 3 will now be available to more companies – without the extra fees previously charged for fast technology – so companies will have one less excuse for not having it on their products.
Thunderbolt 3 to USB 4 integration “will enable simultaneous data and image protocols, meaning you can daisy-chain 4K monitors and other Thunderbolt 3 devices, along with external storage or graphics cards, all over a single cable connected to a PC” .
WHEN WILL USB 4 COMING OUT?
The announcement of the new standard did not include the USB 4 specification, which, according to a press release from USB Promoters, is currently in “final review” with more than 50 companies participating. The release says that the specification will be published in mid-2019.
This release will also coincide with an updated version of the USB Type-C specification created to be compatible with USB 4. At this stage, we do not know what the USB 4 male and female ports will look like, but we hope to learn more in the next stage.
All this suggests that we will not see actual USB 4 ports in 2019, but the next years promise to be debuts.
