USB Branding, Stadia's End, and Tech Industry News
USB Branding Changes
The USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) is simplifying its branding by dropping the "SuperSpeed" nomenclature. This shift aims to reduce consumer confusion by focusing on speed and power delivery.
• Vendors are encouraged to label products simply by their maximum data transfer rate (e.g., "USB 20 Gbps").
• While this makes basic speeds clearer, key technical features like PCIe tunneling and Thunderbolt support remain poorly communicated in consumer branding.
The Fall of Google Stadia
Google has officially announced that Google Stadia will be shut down in early 2023.
"Stadia sucks because no one believed in it."
Despite the technology being objectively impressive, the platform suffered from a lack of trust in Google's commitment to its products. Key takeaways include:
• Google is issuing full refunds for hardware and software purchases, a rare and positive customer service gesture.
• Internal teams and developers were left blindsided, with many receiving notice only hours before the public announcement.
• The situation has raised significant questions regarding trust in Google's software services and the long-term viability of cloud gaming platforms.
Product Developments and Industry Tech
Backpack Carabiner Issue
LTT is addressing a quality issue with the custom carabiner zipper pulls on their backpack. While the part passed third-party testing, side-loading stress causes them to break. A care package with replacement solutions and a tool for installation is being developed to resolve this for all customers.
Component News
• Ryzen 7000 vs. 13th Gen Intel: AMD offers massive productivity gains, but the high platform cost (AM5/DDR5) makes it harder to recommend than the competitive 13th Gen Intel lineup, which allows for lower barrier-to-entry builds.
• Dbrand Steam Deck Case: The company suspended sales of the Killswitch case because the magnetic kickstand interfered with the cooling fans of certain Steam Deck models (specifically the Delta fans).