The USB connector is an important but overlooked component in laptops, smartphones, and many other devices. Semiconductor manufacturer Cypress has announced a pair of new USB controllers, chips that help interface the device's main processor with those connected via ports. These controllers support USB 3.2, DisplayPort, and Power Delivery, as well as the USB 4 standard that is slowly emerging.

Anandtech (via TechRadar Pro) reports that the firmware on the controllers can be updated to support USB 4, but by default they are not compatible. What this means is that ports using these controllers can use USB 4, but not the maximum data transfer rate available.

USB 4 will be announced in August 2019 and still uses the USB-C reversible shape, but with significant improvements over the Thunderbolt 3 connector. As long as the right kind of ports and cables are available, it can transfer data at up to 40 Gbps and charge at up to 100W, so a standard laptop battery can be full in almost no time.

The majority of modern laptops have Thunderbolt 3 ports, which combine high-speed USB-C data transfer with high-wattage charging and external display options. The price of this technology will drop as USB 4 is incorporated into higher-spec devices, allowing even the least expensive devices to benefit from Thunderbolt 3, while users seeking a premium experience will be able to purchase the latest and greatest port technology.

The technology will eventually find its way into smartphones and other products such as smart home devices. With the Cypress announcement, companies will be announcing the first USB 4-enabled products using this technology within the next year or two, providing users with the access to even greater speeds they have been waiting for.