The upcoming Linux 7.0 kernel will feature a new USB driver supporting Google Tensor system-on-chips. It also includes UCSI Thunderbolt Alternate Mode functionality. These additions aim to enhance hardware compatibility in open-source environments.
Linux kernel version 7.0 is set to incorporate several updates focused on USB support. Among these is a dedicated driver for Google Tensor SoCs, which are used in devices like Pixel smartphones. This development, reported by Phoronix, promises better integration of Google's mobile hardware with Linux systems.
Additionally, Linux 7.0 will support UCSI Thunderbolt Alternate Mode. UCSI, or USB Type-C Connector System Software Interface, enables advanced features for Thunderbolt connections over USB-C ports. This inclusion could improve connectivity options for users relying on Linux for desktop and server setups.
Phoronix, a site specializing in Linux hardware reviews and benchmarks, highlighted these changes in its coverage of kernel advancements. The updates align with ongoing efforts to expand Linux's compatibility with modern hardware, including mobile and high-speed peripheral technologies. No specific release date for Linux 7.0 was mentioned in the sources, but such kernel versions typically follow a development cycle leading to stable releases.
