Data transfers are about to get a whole lot faster with the teasing of the new Thunderbolt 4 standard by Intel and refreshed USB logos, although some details still remain a mystery.
The USB-IF Implementers Forum – the authority that governs the port design and logos – has backflipped on a previous change of branding after re-labelling USB 3.0 and 3.1 to USB 3.2.
Now, the USB-IF has announced a whole new scheme which relabels USB standards based upon transfer speeds, creating the new USB 4 standard of USB 4 40Gbps. Older USB standards will also receive an update to its logos.
The refresh has also introduced the new Thunderbolt 4 standard, which, according to Intel, provides “exceptional performance, ease of use and quality for USB-C connector-based products”.
“Further details will be revealed at a later date, though it would be backwards compatible with Thunderbolt 3,” Intel continued.
Unfortunately, until the new standard is fully fleshed out, the transfer speeds of the new standard will remain a mystery.
But with the new branding scheme labelling the highest speed at 40Gbps (Thunderbolt 3 speeds), it’s more than likely the new standard will reach upwards of 50Gbps.
Watch this space.
