USB 3.0 & USB 3.1 merger into USB 3.2 branding by overseers further confusing USB-C

A USB Type-C cable is used to connect to MacBooks.

The USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) has muddied the waters surrounding how different USB standards are named, with USB 3.0 and USB 3.1 set to become different generations of USB 3.2, while USB 3.2 itself will become the more confusingly named "USB 3.2 Gen 2x2."

Announced as part of Mobile World Congress, the USB-IF is absorbing the prior USB 3-based specifications into USB 3.2, making all three versions use the same name but under three different generations.

What was previously referred to as USB 3.0, and at one point USB 3.1 Gen 1, will instead have the technical name USB 3.2 Gen 1, due to being the earliest of the three generations, reports Toms Hardware. USB 3.1, also known as USB 3.1 Gen 2, is being renamed USB 3.2 Gen 2.

To add to the confusion, the unreleased USB 3.2 will not follow the expected convention of being called USB 3.2 Gen 3, but instead will be known as USB 3.2 Gen 2x2. The odd numbering change is in reference to its maximum data transfer rate of 20Gbps, which it achieves by using two 10Gbps channels, namely double the amount of channels used by USB Gen 2.

The name changes for USB 3.1, USB 3.1, and USB 3.2

The spec names have nothing to do with the physicality of the connector. USB 3.2 Gen 1 and USB 3.2 Gen 2 can connect with the rectangular USB-A or the USB-C connector. USB 3.2 gen 2x2 is limited to USB-C only. Thunderbolt 3 branding and naming remains unchanged.

For marketing purposes, USB-IF suggests a slightly more logical naming scheme. While USB 3.2 Gen 1 should be called SuperSpeed USB, Gen 2 is to be termed SuperSpeed USB 10Gbps, with the inclusion of the speed to denote it as faster than Gen 1. USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 is being given a similar marketing term of SuperSpeed USB 20Gbps.

It is suggested devices using USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 will be arriving in 2019 on high-performance desktops, with peripherals likely to arrive in 2020 once support for the standard becomes more widespread.

Apple is a notable member of the USB 3.0 Promoter Group, which means it is highly likely to be an early adopter of USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 in its hardware.

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38 Comments

frank777

said about 5 years ago

If I didn't know better, I'd think Thunderbolt devotees were intentionally sabotaging USB efforts.

But no, it's USB's own proponents that are destroying its branding.

cpsro

said about 5 years ago

Horsepucky. USB 3.2 Gen 2 isn't the 2nd generation of USB 3.2, and USB 3.2 Gen 1 is the first generation of USB 3.2 in name only.

Call them simply: USB 3.1, 3.2 and 3.3

And by the way, "10Gbps" doesn't denote gen2 is faster than gen1 unless gen1 SuperSpeed USB is necessarily attached to the moniker "5Gbps". Oh, except, the manufacturers merely intend to confuse consumers.

randominternetperson

said about 5 years ago

Perhaps this is what you get when a committee of engineers is charged with a marketing task?

I thought the WiFi protocols were confusing; these USB guys take the cake.

AF_Hitt

said about 5 years ago

As an engineer myself, this is the kind of crap that happens when the engineers get to do the product naming and marketing. My expertise is definitely NOT in marketing, but even I know this is going to be complete garbage to the average consumer.

coolfactor

said about 5 years ago

Reminds me why Apple has wisdoms that much of the industry lacks. They would never do this to their customers.

Who remembers the Apple Desktop Bus tech? It's an interesting read:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_Desktop_Bus

... and reminds me that Apple didn't invent it entirely from scratch, as it would appear at first glance, but instead incorporates existing technologies into the final solution. Sound familiar?

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