BizLink, a global leader in interconnect solutions, is proud to announce the release of its DP80 Enhanced mDP cable in the market, which is the world's first VESA certified DP80 cable. The new DP80 Enhanced mDP cable features high transmission capacities with the new data rates of UHBR10 (10 Gbps), UHBR13.5 (13.5 Gbps), and UHBR20 (20 Gbps). BizLink has worked with VESA (Video Electronics Standards Association) on developing the next generation of Enhanced full-size DP/mDP cables and connectors since 2019 to break the bandwidth limit of the legacy DP/mDP cables and connectors.

With the latest DP technology, the DP80 Enhanced mDP cable supports the new data rates of UHBR10, UHBR13.5, and UHBR20. The cable has a maximum data throughput of up to 80 Gbps, which is designed for the connections of the most advanced visual display applications and systems. It supports a wider bandwidth in video streaming for higher resolution and quality of videos and is backward compatible with existing DisplayPort devices. The new DP80 standard creates an exciting advantage for a superior connection over the now-aged cables. As a premier supplier of high-speed interconnect solutions for client peripherals, BizLink also offers leading-edge DP80 Enhanced mDP connectors, Enhanced full-size DP cables and connectors, and other latest DP connectivity applications.

With notebooks getting slimmer and losing out on the wired I/O you want, there's a sprout in "docking stations," devices that provide many kinds of downstream wired connectivity, tapping into a single high-bandwidth upstream connection to your notebook. The DS10 from Cougar does this, except it's also targeted at gamers, with its RGB illumination. The device features a rugged, sporty design, with an illuminated infinite-mirror element on top. Unlike some other docks that use 40 Gbps Thunderbolt upstream, the DS10 relies on USB 3.2 Gen2x2 (20 Gbps), with DisplayPort passthrough, which supports up to 4K @ 60 Hz.

Downstream connectivity of the Cougar DS10 includes three USB 3.x Gen 1 (5 Gbps), one USB 3.2 Gen2 (10 Gbps), stereo audio with a single 4-pole headset jack, a microSD slot, a 1 Gbps Ethernet interface, two HDMI ports (each capable of 4K @ 60 Hz), and a USB-PD port capable of up to 100 W output. A button lets you toggle between lighting presets. The company didn't reveal pricing.

j5create, a world leader in high tech computer accessories, and Intel, the world's largest manufacturer of semiconductor chips, are working together to develop one of the worlds' first USB4 multi-port adapters. USB4 is the latest USB specification offering several improvements over legacy USB-C adapters including higher transfer speeds, more efficient bandwidth allocation between data and display protocols, as well as backward compatibility with older USB and Thunderbolt specifications.

"We're thrilled to work with Intel to bring the latest USB peripherals to market." said Steven Lyu, Chief Operating Officer at j5create. "We are always innovating to deliver high-performance solutions users have been anticipating through a variety of products, technologies, and design collaborations." The USB4 multi-port adapters will be one of the first to incorporate the latest Intel USB4 controller, offering Thunderbolt compatibility and USB legacy support. Set to release in Q1 2022, these USB4 multi-port adapters provide efficient and dynamic bandwidth allocation up to 20 Gbps and dual 4K video support in addition to high-speed peripheral ports.

Lexar unveiled the Blaze SL660, a new line of portable gaming-grade SSDs. Measuring 112.6 mm x 57.4 mm x 10.6 mm (LxWxH), and weighing 80 g, the drives feature an ARGB LED lighting element, and a unique asymmetric shape. The drive takes advantage of the 20 Gbps USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 interface, and offers sequential transfer rates of up to 2,000 MB/s reads, with up to 1,900 MB/s writes. There are two variants based on capacity—512 GB and 1 TB. The drives use a single cable for both power and host connectivity, with support for both type-C and type-A ports. A plastic stand is included with the drive, letting you place the drive along its side on your desk, as well as a faux-leather pouch to help you organize things. The company didn't reveal pricing, but is backing these drives with 5-year warranties.

GIGABYTE's AERO line of motherboards and notebooks target creators who like to game. The company is ready with a premium motherboard based on the Intel Z690 chipset, the Z690 AERO D. This has to be the prettiest looking motherboard we've come across in a long time, and it appears to have the chops to match this beauty. The Socket LGA1700 motherboard uses large ridged-aluminium heatsinks over the chipset, M.2 NVMe slots, and a portion of the rear I/O shroud. Aluminium fin-stack heatsinks fed by heat-pipes, cool the CPU VRM. You get two PCI-Express 5.0 x16 slots (x8/x8 with both populated). As an AERO series product, the board is expected to be loaded with connectivity relevant to content creators, although the box is missing a Thunderbolt logo. We expect at least 20 Gbps USB 3.2x2 ports, and 10 GbE networking, Wi-Fi 6E.

Last week, the EU Commission announced that it's working towards making USB-C the universal standard for charging portable electronics and this week, the USB-IF is bringing new Certified USB Type-C cable and Certified USB4 logos to help consumers figure out what is what. However, the USB-IF is also pointing out that consumers should only buy Certified USB products from trusted sources, suggesting that there are a lot of products in the market that don't meet the various USB specifications.

The new logos can be seen below and the first one is for devices that support 40 Gbps speeds over USB. Keep in mind that although USB4 is broadly based on Thunderbolt 3, the cables aren't going to be exactly the same, but that some USB4 implementations can also support Thunderbolt 4, just to complicate things a little bit extra. This logo can also be used with 40 Gbps capable ports on devices.

Akasa, just released a new aluminium enclosure for M.2 drives. This iteration of Akasa's M.2 range of enclosures is packed full of the latest features such as USB 3.2 Generation 2x2 connectivity, UASP support and a brand-new tool-free design, and is built for the ultra-fast data transfer speeds of up to a massive 20 Gb/s. The enclosure is machined out of high quality aluminium, functioning as a heatsink to draw away excess heat from the drive. A thermal pad is included with the package to allow the best possible heat dissipation.

Also included in the box is a high-quality, braided, USB-C to USB-C cable, which is durable enough to withstand the constant daily use this enclosure is designed for. The tool-free design includes two high-quality metal thumb screws, strong enough to effortlessly hold your M.2 drive, and provide a sleek appearance to the enclosure. A simple yet effective rubber tab holds the drive down, whilst the updated design means the aluminium heatsink can fully contact the thermal pad and work efficiently.

Alphabet has announced that its prototype implementation of a laser-based communications system, Project Taara, successfully managed to transmit over 700 Terabytes of data over a 5 km distance. The system successfully transmitted the information across the Congo river in the African continent, connecting the towns of Brazzaville (Republic of Congo) and Kinshasa (Democratic Republic of Congo). The system aims to deliver fiber-optic-level communications speed in locations where infrastructure investment cost for a fiber optics solution is economically unfeasible. In this case, Project Taara delivered the high-speed connection where 250 miles of fiber network cabling would need to be laid out to achieve the same effect. It should also allow for cheaper infrastructure development in well-developed cities.

The project has taken the Free Space Optical Communications technology developed for Project Loon, one of Alphabet's explorations on delivering high-speed internet connections to rural areas whilst using stratospheric helium balloons. Alphabet said that its Project Taara link was operational for 20 days during the test period, where it achieved a signal availability level of 99.9% - meaning that it was practically uninterrupted. The laser system features self-adjustment capabilities that aim to circumvent weather and wildlife elements, which allow the lasers to not only boost the laser strength if required, but also to adjust the output and input laser dishes by up to +/- 5 degrees. The system's current development stage should allows for "a light beam the width of a chopstick accurately enough to hit a 5-centimeter target that's 10 kilometers away."

MSI, a world leader in high-performance and innovative computing solutions, has announced the PRO DP20Z 5M Business & Productivity PC. It comes in both barebone and full system solutions. Featuring a powerful processor, exclusive software, and various IO ports, the PRO DP20Z 5M is designed with efficiency and productivity in mind.

Everything you need for business is already in the 2.6L sized business & productivity PC - PRO DP20Z 5M. Inspired by the natural bamboo and its perseverance, transformation & refinement, the design of PRO DP20Z represents durability, reliability, and stability. It would have sustained its life as it grew only when it develops a strong foundation. Its barebone and full system solution makes it more flexible for different users and enterprises. The full system solution featuring the latest AMD Ryzen 5000 Series APU will be coming soon. Featuring up to Ryzen 7 5700G APU and DDR4 3200 MHz 64 GB memory, it can help users experience a better and faster computing performance during data analyzing and when gaming amusement is needed. It can support up to three displays and 4K resolution at 60 Hz, allowing users to connect advertising board to display their products or use it as a powerful home theater PC. Its portable size and sufficient features fully meet the needs of various scenarios.

Transcend Information, Inc. (Transcend ), a leading brand of digital storage and multimedia products, is proud to launch the new CFexpress Type B Card Reader RDE2 and the CFexpress 820 Type B Memory Card. Tailored for the professional photography market, these products feature outstanding performance that improve professional efficiency, reducing the time needed to transfer files while making sure all the crucial moments are captured.

Transcend's RDE2 card reader is designed specifically for photographers using CFexpress memory cards. Utilizing the USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 interface, the RDE2 card reader offers an optimum data transfer rate of 20 Gbps, reducing the time needed to transfer files from one device to another. To create a better, smoother editing experience, Transcend provides USB Type-A and Type-C cables, so the card reader can be seamlessly connected to personal computers and tablets. The RDE2 card reader comes with a lightweight aluminium housing that is wear-resistant and anti-scratch. Covered by non-slip silicone rubber, the device is also heat resistant. For professional photographers who are always on-the-go, the portable RDE2 card reader provides stable, reliable performance.

Here's the first picture of GIGABYTE's next-generation flagship Socket LGA1200 motherboard based on Intel Z590 chipset, with out-of-the-box support for 11th Gen Core "Rocket Lake" desktop processors, the Z590 AORUS Xtreme. Featuring the company's most premium component selection, the board pulls power from a combination of 24-pin ATX and two 8-pin EPS power connectors, conditioning it for the CPU using a massive 21-phase VRM. The only expansion slots on this board are three PCI-Express x16, from which at least two are wired to the CPU (Gen 4.0 x16 or Gen 4.0 x8/x8 with Rocket Lake, Gen 3.0 with Comet Lake); with the third slot being wired to the PCH. Underneath the cladding are three M.2 NVMe slots, from which one is Gen 4.0 x4, and wired to the CPU, while the others are wired to the PCH.

The GIGABYTE Z590 AORUS Xtreme reportedly one-ups the current generation with new connectivity that includes Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax over 6 GHz radio band), and Thunderbolt 4. The board also features 20 Gbps USB 3.2x2 ports, and wired networking options that include 10 GbE and 2.5 GbE. The board will also be among the first to feature the latest Realtek ALC4080 audio CODEC that replaces the ALC1220 as the company's most premium CODEC. The main stereo channel on the board will still be pulled by an ESS Sabre Reference DAC. We should learn more about this board around mid-January, when Intel is expected to allow its motherboard partners to announce their Intel 500-series chipset products.

Gigabyte has announced and released a new PCIe Expansion card which will allow users to add a 20 Gbps USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 (such a mouthful) connector to their PC. This solution lacks any sort of hub, and it's a single-connector affair, which limits its usefulness by a fair share. According to Gigabyte, this solution has been thought-up for users who are satisfied with their current systems but were left in the cold when it comes to supporting the latest standard - eliminating the need to upgrade their motherboard before its time. Users will have to sacrifice a PCIe x4 slot for this expansion, though. No pricing is available at time of writing.