News

Intel Unveils Next-Generation Thunderbolt Prototype

Intel has demonstrated an early iteration of its next-generation Thunderbolt technology, based on new USB4 v2 and DisplayPort 2.1 specs.

Published

3 years ago

October 20, 2022

Nour Nasir

Intel

Intel has just released details of an early prototype of the next generation of its Thunderbolt technology. The next implementation of the port will deliver 80 Gbps of throughput, along with 120 Gbps of bandwidth, when hooked up to a display. These figures represent a massive leap in performance over the (already fast) current generation, and will be welcomed by both content creators and gamers alike.

“Thunderbolt is now the mainstream port on mobile PCs and integrated into three generations of Intel mobile CPUs. We’re very excited to lead the industry forward with the next generation of Thunderbolt built on the USB4 v2 specification,” says Jason Ziller, Client Connectivity Division, Intel.

intel next generation of thunderbolt

In addition to supporting the latest USB4 standard, the next generation of Thunderbolt will feature a variety of improvements, including:

Twice the total bandwidth of Thunderbolt 4, with triple the bandwidth for video-intensive applications.
Support for DisplayPort 2.1.
Twice the PCI Express data throughput for faster transfers and external GPUs.
Ability to use existing passive cables up to 1m.
Compatibility with previous versions of Thunderbolt, USB, and DisplayPort.
Supported by Intel certification programs.

Also Read: Intel And Broadcom Show Off Super-Fast Wi-Fi 7 Technology

So when will gamers and content creators benefit from this new generation of Thunderbolt? Details are currently sparse, and Intel is well known for its stringent testing and certification programs, so it will be a fair while before we see major manufacturers adding updated ports to docks, laptops, and other hardware.

We’ll be sure to keep enthusiasts updated as the technology develops, but we doubt there will be further news until well into 2023.

News

AltoVolo Opens Orders For Limited Edition Sigma eVTOLs

Early buyers can now reserve build slots for AltoVolo’s 500-mile hybrid aircraft through a new online configurator.

Published

6 days ago

November 1, 2025

Nour Nasir

AltoVolo

AltoVolo has started taking pre-orders for its first electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft, the Sigma, moving the startup closer to commercial rollout. Customers can now secure a build slot with a £860 deposit and customize every detail online — from paintwork to seatbelt stitching. It’s the first configurator of its kind for a civilian eVTOL, mirroring how luxury car brands let clients tailor performance models before production.

The Sigma runs on a hybrid-electric tilting jet system built for long range and low noise. It can travel up to 500 miles at a 220-mph cruise, and is over 80% quieter than a helicopter. The three-seater weighs just 980kg and can maintain stable flight even if one jet fails. Safety systems include triple-redundant controls, thrust-vectoring stability and a ballistic parachute.

“We will be delivering an ultra-refined hybrid electric aircraft,” said founder and CEO Will Wood. “We believe there are thousands of customers for this type of cutting-edge technology”.

The first 100 units will come with exclusive materials and finishes. AltoVolo is also setting up a global service and maintenance network, with early planning for overhaul schedules already underway. The company’s focus on ownership experience echoes its ambition to anchor itself alongside established aviation brands rather than pure tech ventures.

To help new owners train, the company has built a full-scale simulator that replicates the Sigma cockpit in carbon fiber and leather. Pilots can log time toward a license using the system, aligned with the new US MOSAIC rules that ease certification for powered-lift aircraft. Certification work in Europe and the UK continues in parallel, signaling growing international alignment around light sport and eVTOL regulation.

Also Read: Snapchat Opens Qatar Office To Deepen Gulf Presence

Noise inside the cabin has become another design focus. Engineers are refining internal vibration levels and developing a responsive soundscape that shifts with each jet’s power load — part feedback, part theatre.

Urban air mobility projects across the Gulf and elsewhere are pushing regulators and manufacturers to meet in the middle. Dubai, Riyadh and Doha have each outlined plans for air taxi corridors this decade. AltoVolo’s hybrid Sigma, sitting between electric promise and aviation realism, looks built for that middle ground.