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USB SuperSpeed branding meets its demise, but may still appear on some products
Just tell us the data rate and wattage supported, already
USB is somehow both the simplest thing in the world, streamlining how we charge our devices, transfer data, and connect accessories, yet also an impenetrably confusing mess of inscrutable standards — who knows if you'll need a new cable to charge your phone at full speed? Thankfully, the powers that be (the USB Implementers Forum, or USB-IF) aren't unsympathetic to our plight, and following efforts last year to clean up power rating logos, the group's rebranding effort is now looking to simplify the nomenclature for the SuperSpeed and USB4 standards.
USB4 is upgrading to 80Gbps, because apparently 40Gbps was just too darn slow
Expect to see the technology from this November
In 1996, seven of the biggest names in personal computing came together to create a new interface standard for computers to replace the array of different ports on the back of desktops. The tech was called a universal serial bus, and 20 years on, we’re still trying to plug it in the right way on the first try. As the standard has aged, it’s been updated, adding new features and allowing for greater data transfer rates. The last major update came in 2019 when the USB Implementers Forum announced USB4, doubling the top speed of data transfers. Now, the USB-IF has announced version 2.0 of the standard.
Pick up the best premium Chromebook with Best Buy's killer deal
The refreshed Acer Chromebook Spin 713 is $80 off and comes with a free gaming controller
Chrome OS is a lot more capable than it once was. Unlike the "Chrome" moniker implies, it's a swiss-army knife that runs a wide range of Android apps and powerful desktop Linux tools. The versatility means you'll need a beefier laptop, and nothing fits the bill better than the Acer Chromebook Spin 713 refreshed this year. It continues its predecessor's winning formula of packing terrific specs and features for the money, and now, you can pick one up at Best Buy for $80 less with a couple of freebies to sweeten the deal.
Chromebooks are about to get more secure with enhanced external peripheral protection
Chrome OS will soon support data access protection for PCI devices
USB has come a long way since Apple made the I/O mainstream with its iMac in September 1998. The technology rapidly replaced a wide range of aging connectors on PCs and became the universal standard for wired data and power transfers. With USB4's versatility opening the door to broad external PCI adoption, Google is working to protect your Chromebook from unauthorized access to your data.
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The USB Implementers Forum has published the USB4 specification after months feedback. The new rules, first announced in March, essentially make the latest iteration of the Universal Serial Bus standard almost exactly like Intel's Thunderbolt 3 standard, which the company itself has volunteered for codification.