26 PCWorld APRIL 2019NEWS USB 3.2 HORRIBLE BRANDING
“USB 3.2 Gen 2x2.”
It’s hard to sum it all up, but we’ll give it
a try.- USB 3.2 Gen 1 (previously referred to as
USB 3.0, or formally as USB 3.1 Gen 1) has a
5Gbps transfer rate and is officially known by
the marketing name SuperSpeed USB. - USB 3.2 Gen 2 (previously referred to as
USB 3.1, or formally as USB 3.1 Gen 2) has a
10Gbps transfer rate and is now officially
known as SuperSpeed USB 10 Gbps. - USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 (the latest spec) has a
20Gbps transfer rate and is now officially
known as SuperSpeed USB 20Gbps.
Note, too, that these new specs refer
only to throughput speed, not to the
physical USB cable or port. We’re still in the
middle of a gradual transition from USB-A to
USB-C physical connectors, but that’s a
separate issue.
The PDF document outlining the new
specs reiterates several times just how
important it is for
manufacturers to
indicate clearly how
fast the USB device or
port is. “When
referring to a product
that is based on and
compliant with the
USB 3.2 specification,
it is critical for
manufacturers to
clearly identify the
performance capabilities of that device
separately from other product benefits and/
or physical characteristics,” it states.
But as others were quick to point out
(go.pcworld.com/pont), there’s really
nothing that prohibits a laptop manufacturer,
for example, from simply calling a device a
“USB 3.2” port and failing to describe how
much bandwidth it will provide to the user.
The USB-IF’s pleas notwithstanding, the only
restrictions appear to be in the use of the
USB-IF’s logos, which requires passing the
USB Compliance Program.Why this matters: There’s one consolation:
The new specifications are backward-
compatible, meaning that you’ll still be able
to plug in an older USB device to a new USB
3.2 port. Still, the branding of it all is an
absolute nightmare, and is an additional
headache computer and smartphone buyers
don’t need.