The Video Electronics Standards Association (commonly known as VESA) is essentially the deciding factor on new hardware specifications and standards. Earlier today, they announced that they have approved Apple's new Mini DisplayPort standard, helped by the fact that it's a small connector and works well with small devices.The announcement, found on VESA's website, states that, "Mini DisplayPort meets the need for a smaller form factor connector for devices such as thin portable computers and add-in cards with multiple display interfaces." Apple initially offered the standard in the form of a no-fee license, in which anybody could adopt, but decided to submit it to VESA for inclusion in the next DisplayPort standard update.
The standard was originally developed by Apple for use in its laptop range, such as the MacBook and MacBook Pro, and is progressing nicely; VESA stated that it's currently in the process of approving version 1.2 of the Mini DisplayPort, doubling the available bandwidth (meaning it'll be able to transfer 21.6 Gb/second). All going as planned, this should mean that in the future you might start seeing a lot more devices packing the Mini DisplayPort.
Does that mean that there will be a licensing fee for 3rd parties now?
No. It's now an official standard so it will be a lot safer for other companies to invest in it as it will be used all around everywhere. And this is also only for the MINI DisplayPort. DisplayPort in general is already used quite a lot and is an open standard as far as I know.
in the real world apple owns you
I don't think this is really for monitors, but anyways, it's the same as HDMI spec wise iirc, there's just no nasty fee you have to pay for like with HDMI.
At the most DisplayPort might have a bit more bandwidth, maybe.
At the most DisplayPort might have a bit more bandwidth, maybe.
HDMI includes audio in the connector interface, this is video only.
DisplayPort does offer audio, though the Mini version probably doesn't.
As to an earlier queston, Dell is the only monitor manufacturer putting serious weight behind DisplayPort right now, though some others exist. Now that it's standard on the ATI 5x00 line, I expect more manufacturers to follow suit.
One that is cheaper for manufacturers both in implementation and licensing, and endusers in cabling? Yeah, I agree. The world does need it.
I've heard audio might be included in an update to the spec, too... but honestly, I might be talking out of my ass there
Honestly, did you expect anything else here on Neowin?
If Apple discovered a cure to cancer and shared their knowledge free of charge, the news post here on Neowin would probably still be rated one star just because it involves that particular company.
Stupid Apple, messing with people's diseases.
Apple releases dozens of proprietary connections, and one of them suddenly becomes a Standard!
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