Razer has announced the Blade 16 and Blade 18 gaming laptops at CES 2024, featuring the world's first 240 Hz OLED and 165 Hz IPS displays, respectively. These laptops will also be the first to support the next generation of Thunderbolt (Thunderbolt 5), allowing for impressive multi-monitor daisy chaining capabilities. Both models will house Meteor Lake-H CPUs and maintain the same chassis as their 2023 predecessors. The new Razer Blade laptops are expected to start shipping by the end of the month.
Dell is set to release two new ultrawide monitors, the 40-inch UltraSharp 40 Curved Thunderbolt Hub Monitor (U4025QW) and the 34-inch UltraSharp 34 Curved Thunderbolt Hub Monitor (U3425WE), with the former offering a 5K resolution and the latter a lower resolution. Both feature a 120Hz refresh rate, reduced blue light, ambient light sensors, and have received a five-star certification for eye comfort. The 40-inch model also boasts a Thunderbolt 4 connection with up to 140W power delivery and variable refresh rates over HDMI 2.1. These monitors are designed for professionals like content creators and data scientists, and will be available globally from February 27th.
Linux 6.7 introduces support for DisplayPort Alternate Mode 2.1 over USB Type-C, as well as Intel La Jolla Cove Adapter (LJCA) drivers. Other additions include hardware support for IPQ5018, RK3588, Realtek DHC RTD SoC, and SDX75 in the DWC3 driver. The Linux 6.7 merge window ends today with the release of Linux 6.7-rc1.
The upcoming iPhone 15 is expected to feature a USB-C connector, replacing the Lightning connector, and the Pro and Pro Max models may also include a Thunderbolt port. This shift has the potential to transform the iPhone into a more versatile computing device, allowing it to be used as a pocketable thin client that can be connected to external displays and input devices. With the right capabilities, the iPhone could potentially replace laptops for many users, offering a more portable and convenient computing experience. While it remains to be seen if Apple will introduce a desktop mode this year, the underpinnings are already in place with iPadOS, and Apple has a history of leading paradigm shifts in the industry.
Rumors suggest that the USB-C cable for the upcoming iPhone 15 may only support data transfer speeds of up to 480Mbps, the same as the current Lightning cable. However, there are leaks indicating that the iPhone 15 Pro model may come with a Thunderbolt cable, offering faster data transfer speeds of up to 40Gbps and potentially faster charging. Apple is expected to comply with EU legislation and introduce a USB-C port on the iPhone 15, but specific details will be revealed at the September 12 launch event.
The upcoming iPhone 15 models are expected to feature USB-C ports, but there may be speed differences across the lineup. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has suggested that the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max will support USB 3.2 or Thunderbolt 3 for faster data transfer speeds, while the lower-end iPhone 15 and 15 Plus models will be limited to USB 2.0 speeds. Current iPad and Mac models already have USB-C ports with varying speeds, ranging from USB 2.0 to Thunderbolt. Rumors suggest that Apple may include a USB-C cable with the iPhone 15 models, but it might be limited to USB 2.0 speeds, requiring customers to purchase a higher-spec cable separately for faster speeds.
Apple may sell a separate USB-C Thunderbolt cable for the iPhone 15 Pro models, capable of data transfer speeds up to 40Gbps and supporting charging up to 150W. The length of the cable is said to be 0.8 meters, shorter than Apple's existing Thunderbolt 4 Pro cable. Speculation remains about the USB-C port capabilities of the iPhone 15 lineup, but rumors suggest that the Pro models will have higher-speed data transfer options. The new iPhone 15 lineup is expected to be announced on September 12.
Apple is facing manufacturing issues with the iPhone 15, resulting in a production cut before its launch in September. The iPhone 15 Pro models will feature Thunderbolt connectivity, a significant upgrade from previous models. The iPhone 16 Pro range is expected to have a larger ultrawide camera. Apple's attention will shift to macOS and the new hardware built around the Apple Silicon M3 chipset after the iPhone launch. An iPhone SE with a USB-C port and Face ID is rumored to be released in early 2024. Apple is considering a larger refresh for the Apple Watch X in celebration of its ten-year anniversary. There are speculations that Apple may buy ESPN as part of its sports broadcasting experiments.
Leaked component photos suggest that at least three models of Apple's upcoming iPhone 15 range will incorporate Thunderbolt/USB4's 40Gbps high-speed data transmission feature, a significant upgrade from the current USB 2.0 speeds. This discovery could result in faster charging and data transfer speeds, as well as quicker backups for users. The inclusion of Thunderbolt in the iPhone 15 range could be a compelling upgrade for Apple fans, especially considering the expected price increases. Additionally, a new leak reveals that the primary camera in the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max models will remain unchanged, using the same Sony IMX-803 image sensor as the iPhone 14 Pro, disappointing those expecting significant camera improvements.
ChargerLab has discovered images suggesting that certain models of the upcoming iPhone 15 will feature a Thunderbolt/USB 4 retimer chip for high-speed data transfer. The integrated circuit (IC) for Thunderbolt data transfer speeds, known as a retimer, is visible on the iPhone 15's USB-C components. While all four iPhone 15 models are expected to have USB-C ports instead of Lightning, the iPhone 15 Pro models are likely to support Thunderbolt speeds, while the standard models will likely have USB 2.0 speeds.
Apple has announced the latest Mac Pro featuring the higher-end ARM-based silicon in the M2-series of system on a chip. The Mac Pro includes the M2 Ultra, offering six open PCIe Gen 4 slots for storage expansion and eight built-in Thunderbolt ports. The Mac Pro starts at $6999, with preorders starting today and will release next week. Apple also revealed a suite of new hardware, including the Apple Vision Pro, a Mac Studio with M2 Ultra and M2 Max support, and a new 15-inch MacBook Air.
Rumors suggest that iPadOS 17 will have features for a flagship 14-inch iPad Pro model with an M3 chip, and that the USB-C port on iPhone 15 Pro models will support Thunderbolt 3. There may also be a new display feature for using iPhones for video work. Additionally, the Apple Watch may soon be able to pair with multiple devices. However, these rumors should be taken with a grain of salt as Apple experiments with many features that may not be released.
