The USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) has said the next version of the ubiquitous connector, the USB 4, based on Intel’s Thunderbolt protocol, will now be available to all. The new standard, likely to kick in towards the end of the year, is expected to increase its maximum speed to 40 Gbps over the 20 Gbps offered by its current version, USB 3.2.
It will still be able to deliver up to 100W of power. You’ll need to use cables that are capable of 40 Gbps speeds to enjoy the standard’s full benefits.
Intel, on its part, announced that it had “contributed the Intel Thunderbolt protocol specification” to the USB Promoter Group, enabling other chip makers to build Thunderbolt compatible silicon, royalty-free.
Intel said the convergence of the underlying Thunderbolt & USB protocols will increase compatibility among USB Type-C connector-based products, simplifying how people connect their devices.
Previously, Intel shared plans to integrate Thunderbolt 3 into future Intel CPUs and to release the Thunderbolt protocol specification to the industry. As detailed at CES 2019, Intel’s upcoming 10nm processor code-named “Ice Lake” will be the 1st to integrate Thunderbolt 3. Processor integration, combined with today’s announcement, is expected to drive large-scale, mainstream adoption of Thunderbolt.
