William Gallagher
The group responsible for the USB-C protocol has issued new certified logos that show if a cable or port supports 60W or 240W, hoping that customers will read the labels.
USB-C is becoming ever more of a standard, but different USB-C cables support different cable power. Now the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF), the non-profit support group, wants to make it immediately clear to buyers and users, what type of cable they're getting.
"With the new higher power capabilities enabled by the USB PD 3.1 Specification, which unlocks up to 240W over a USB Type-C cable and connector," says USB-IF President and COO, Jeff Ravencraft, "USB-IF saw an opportunity to further strengthen and simplify its Certified Logo Program for the end user."
"With our updated logos," he continued in a statement, "consumers can easily identify the USB4 performance and USB Power Delivery capabilities of Certified USB-C Cables, which support an ever-expanding ecosystem of consumer electronics from laptops and smartphones to displays and chargers."
The group's new Certified USB Logo Program presents cable logos "clearly indicating support for 60W or 240W as defined by the USB Power Delivery 3.1 Specification."
For those buyers who do look at the packaging, or who do check the cable they're plugging in, the group has also issued new USB4 logos. These are intended to "unify branding" across the different types of cables.
To learn more about the technical differences between USB-C, USB 3, USB 4, and Thunderbolt, check the AppleInsider guide.
Malcolm Owen
Christine McKee
Amber Neely
52 Comments
They really should have done this day 1.
Different USB speeds, different Thunderbolt speeds, different power delivery ratings. It's too easy to mix things up right now.
*I almost forgot that some cables support Displayport, some don't!
The suggested logos are kind of ugly, messy and even have the small trademarks too.. But better than nothing.
I for one think it’s really nice that they pulled a bunch of goddamned retired Compaq Computer graphic designers from the 1980’s out of retirement to craft these informative logos.
You mean all usb-c cables are not the same… Consumers don’t understand the words on the packaging they are buying or know what they need to buy. I don’t see how is a logo going to change that at this point.
Should not always both be stated, speed and wattage?