USB 3.2's horrible new branding scheme

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#247898 1-Mar-2019 12:24

PC World (US online) - USB 3.2's horrible new branding scheme may create confusion for PC buyers

It's hard to believe that USB branding has become more confusing, but it has.

Mark Hachman on 27 February, 2019

The USB standard has just gotten even more confusing for end users. ...

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 10Gbps.

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 USB 3.2 Specification Language Usage Guidelines from USB-IF can be downloaded here

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#2189356 1-Mar-2019 12:27

What a mess

networkn

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#2189361 1-Mar-2019 12:34

It's confusing as hell for us, I can't imagine the misery our customers go through lol!

timmmay

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#2189363 1-Mar-2019 12:35

Can you run USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 over USB C and micro USB? If so you might need extra language when referring to cables or connectors.

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#2189373 1-Mar-2019 12:52

timmmay:

Can you run USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 over USB C and micro USB? If so you might need extra language when referring to cables or connectors.

it's my understanding the 2x2 uses both sides of the USB C cable rather than it being the same (basically making second use of the reversible design)

USB C in itself is still very confusing alone.

is it USB 2, USB 3 or USB 3.x...

throw in a thunderbolt just to confuse things some more, Same jack, Same cable but minor differences... Very easy to confuse.

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Any comments made are personal opinion and do not reflect directly on the position my current or past employers may have.

neb

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#2189399 1-Mar-2019 13:33

The original MacRumours report said it best:

Going forward, USB 3.1 Gen 1 (transfer speeds up to 5Gb/s), which used to be USB 3.0 prior to a separate rebranding, will be called USB 3.2 Gen 1, while USB 3.1 Gen 2 (transfer speeds up to 10Gb/s) will now be known as USB 3.2 Gen 2. What used to be considered USB 3.2 will now be USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 because if offers twice the throughput speeds of USB 3.1 Gen 2, now USB 3.2 Gen 2. If the swap between USB 3.1 Gen 1 and Gen 2 to USB 3.2 wasn't confusing enough, each of these specifications also has a marketing term. The new USB 3.2 Gen 1 with transfer speeds up to 5Gb/s is SuperSpeed USB, while USB 3.2 Gen 2 with transfer speeds up to 10Gb/s is known as SuperSpeed USB 10Gbps. The USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 specification with transfer speeds up to 20Gb/s is known as SuperSpeed USB 20Gbps.

You couldn't actually make that into a bigger mess if you tried.

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#2189406 1-Mar-2019 13:56

Need a rainbow of colors to indicate that standard on the port.

sbiddle

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#2189497 1-Mar-2019 15:49

USB-C is a total mess.

Just look at how few people actually have USB-C chargers despite most Android phones being USB-C now.. Just look at the fact you can't fast charge an iPhone at 18W unless you have a USB-C charger and USB-C to Lightning cable!

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#2189499 1-Mar-2019 15:51

What about the Nintendo switch which needs a certain spec of USBC cable to even work and communicate and charge...

It is an eff up. Starting to remind me of firewire....