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.
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.

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
Nano Banana 2 Arrives In MENA For Google Gemini Users
Google brings its latest image model to Gemini and Search, adding 4K output and tighter text control for regional users.
Google has opened access to Nano Banana 2 across the Middle East and North Africa, pushing its newest image model into everyday tools rather than keeping it inside the exclusive (and expensive) Pro tier.
The rollout spans the Google Gemini desktop and mobile apps, and extends to Google Search through Lens and AI Mode. Developers can also test it in preview via AI Studio and the Gemini API.
Nano Banana 2 runs on Gemini Flash, Google’s fast inference layer. The focus is speed, but also control. Users can export visuals from 512px up to 4K, adjusting aspect ratios for everything from vertical social posts to widescreen displays.
The model maintains character likeness across up to five figures and preserves fidelity for as many as 14 objects within a single workflow. This enables visual continuity across scenes, iterations, or edits — supporting projects like short films, storyboards, and multi-scene narratives. Text rendering has also been improved, delivering legible typography in mockups and greeting cards, with built-in translation and localization directly within images.
Also Read: RØDE Adds Direct iPhone Pairing To Wireless GO And Pro Mics
Under the hood, the system taps Gemini’s broader knowledge base and pulls in real-time information and imagery from web search to render specific subjects more accurately. Lighting and fine detail have been upgraded, without slowing output.
By embedding the model inside Gemini and Search, Google is normalizing advanced image generation for a mass audience. In MENA, where startups and marketing teams are leaning heavily on AI to scale content across languages and borders, that shift lands at a practical moment.
The move also folds creative tooling deeper into search itself, so that image generation is no longer a separate workflow. It now sits right next to the query box.
