Windows 10 adds more hardware support to its list with USB 3.1 Type-C

[Reefa]

We're still roughly a month out from Microsoft's 2015 Build conference where more news on the development of Windows 10 for PC's, phones and tablets will be revealed. In the meantime, Microsoft is filling its agenda with press releases, product updates, and hardware conferences leading up to Build.

The month of March will see Microsoft's appearance in the hardware sector; first appearing at MWC as they are expected to release a few more low-mid range Lumia devices, as well as the resurrection of WinHEC later in the month.

The WinHEC event was usually designed to pull together executives and engineers from partnering organizations, like "OEMs, ODMs,

IHVs, and IDHs" all in an attempt to work with Windows technologies for various devices. Perhaps the removal of the conference has had some effect with Microsoft's ability to communicate with smaller OEM's who may have been courted by Android in the recent past. This event will also help sure up Microsoft's story for Windows 10 and the IoT leading into Build this year, as engineers typically concerned with Windows Emended congregate there.

We're light on details for MWC, but we are starting to receive a bit more information about the sessions being held at WinHec and one such session is on 'Enabling New USB Connectivity Scenarios in Windows 10'.

Now the session title doesn't explicitly state support for USB 3.1 Type, but the session description makes it clear that support for USB 3.1 Type-C and USB Dual Role will be in Windows 10.

Windows 10 introduces support for USB Dual Role and Type-C, which will enable new wired connectivity scenarios such a phone interacting with USB peripherals, or laptops connecting to an external display using the USB Type-C connector. This session will go into detail on how Windows supports these technologies and what you need to do to enable them

This is great news as the new Type-C connector is expected to expand the capabilities of USB. Some of the expected expansions are in its ability to power transfer up to 100W as well as being used as a proper cable to connect to external displays. Much like USB 3.0, it will take a bit for the port to see mass adoption but when it does, Windows 10 and you, will be prepared.

http://www.winbeta.org/news/windows-10-adds-more-hardware-support-its-list-usb-31-type-c