Microsoft’s favourite immature standard gets another tweak

Microsoft is not the biggest fan of USB-C, despite being part of the USB 3.0 Promoter Group, blaming it for causing consumer confusion and dissatisfaction.

Microsoft hopes this will change in the future, but with USB-C being a moving target there is no guarantee of that.

The latest news from the USB 3.0 Promoter Group (Apple, HP, Intel, Microsoft, and other companies) is a new USB 3.2 specification with promises faster data transfer over existing USB-C cables.

The standard defines new multi-lane operation for USB 3.2 hosts and devices allowing for either two lanes of 5Gb/s or two lanes of 10Gb/s operation, essentially doubling speed over existing USB-C cables.

The standard would need new USB controllers on each end, but would, of course, remain backwards compatible with existing devices.

“When we introduced USB Type-C to the market, we intended to assure that USB Type-C cables and coectors certified for SuperSpeed USB or SuperSpeed USB 10 Gbps would, as produced, support higher performance USB as newer generations of USB 3.0 were developed,” said Brad Saunders, USB 3.0 Promoter Group Chairman. “The USB 3.2 update delivers the next level of performance.”

More information about USB 3.2 will be unveiled at USB Developer Days 2017 later this year.