Intel is announced plans to drive large-scale mainstream adoption of Thunderbolt by integrating Thunderbolt 3 into future CPUs and releasing the Thunderbolt protocol specification to the industry next year.
Intel has had the fastest consumer level I/O innovation in the last few years with it’s Thunderbolt standard. Now in its third generation In the late 1990s, Intel developed USB, which made it easier and faster to connect external devices to computers, consolidating a multitude of existing connectors.
While Thunderbolt may be the most significant cable I/O since USB came out in the 90s, its adoption rate was be very small and mainly used in high-end and niche workflows such as top flight video editing. Until the Thunderbolt 3 came along many computer users thought it was just a port for Macs.
Now with the advent of 4K video, VR , even the most causal of computer users need faster storage. Plus Thunderbolt 3 USB-C connector can do it all! One port can charge the system, connect to Thunderbolt devices, displays and even USB devices in a plug-and-play mannor!
Intel plans to make the Thunderbolt protocol specification available to the industry under a nonexclusive, royalty-free license should increase Thunderbolt adoption by encouraging third-party chip makers to build Thunderbolt-compatible chips.
So the days of six-foot, active, full-speed cables Thunderbolt cables costing $60 should end. The high costs have been an issue for low adoption. Intel’s new licensing and economy of scale production of devices should bring Thunderbolt products into main stream pricing.
Al this should lead to computer makers building thinner and lighter systems with only Thunderbolt 3 ports. Designs based on Intel’s integrated Thunderbolt 3 solution require less board space and reduce power by removing the discrete component needed for existing systems with Thunderbolt 3.
“Apple and Intel have collaborated on Thunderbolt from the beginning, and as the industry leader in its adoption, we applaud Intel’s efforts to integrate Thunderbolt technology into its CPUs and open it up to the rest of the industry,” said Dan Riccio, Apple’s senior vice president of Hardware Engineering.
“Microsoft and Intel are working together to enable Thunderbolt 3 on Windows PCs to deliver on the ‘if it fits, it works’ potential of USB-C,” said Roanne Sones, general manager, Strategy and Ecosystem for Windows and Devices at Microsoft. “The Windows 10 Creators Update enhanced plug-and-play support for Thunderbolt 3 devices, with additional enhancements planned for future OS releases.”
It is not yet clear which processor revision Intel will include support for Thunderbolt 3.
