HeyWhatsNew: WhatsApp Defends 'Optional' AI Tool and Nvidia Supplier SK Hynix Says Tariffs Won’t Hurt Chip Sales
Hey there, HeyUppers, welcome back to another exciting week for things tech and gaming. Let’s take a look at everything happening in the week beginning 21/04/2025.
Discord Names New CEO Amid IPO Buzz
Discord has named Humam Sakhnini, former Vice Chairman of Activision Blizzard, as its new CEO. Co-founder Jason Citron is stepping down after 13 years but will stay on as an advisor and board member. The move comes as rumors swirl about a potential IPO, with Discord now boasting over 200 million monthly users and refocusing on its gaming roots.
Sakhnini’s background in the gaming industry, most recently as CEO of mobile game giant King, signals a shift toward monetization through ads and micro-transactions. While this may help fuel growth, it’s a direction some gamers may not love. Meanwhile, Citron says he’s ready to recharge and catch up on titles like Final Fantasy VII Rebirth and Baldur’s Gate III.
SK Hynix Reports Soaring Profits on AI Chip Demand, Sees Little Tariff Risk
Nvidia supplier SK Hynix more than doubled its Q1 profit to $5.2 billion, fueled by strong demand for AI chips and stockpiling ahead of possible U.S. tariffs. Despite trade tensions and U.S. export controls affecting Nvidia, SK Hynix said its AI chip sales plans remain unchanged and sees only a limited impact from potential tariffs.
The company leads the market in high-bandwidth memory (HBM) chips used in Nvidia’s AI products, while rival Samsung lags behind. SK Hynix expects tech giants to keep investing in AI servers and mobile devices with advanced AI features, helping drive continued demand. While some analysts fear oversupply later this year, the company remains confident that it won’t happen.
Switch 2 Preorders Sell Out Fast, More Coming Soon at GameStop
The Nintendo Switch 2 flew off the virtual shelves, with Walmart, Best Buy, and Target all selling out quickly. GameStop is your next shot with preorders opening at 11 AM ET on April 24. Nintendo’s next-gen console officially launches June 5.
Despite earlier delays due to tariffs, Nintendo hopes it has enough stock to meet demand, though it admits it can’t fulfill all preorders from Japan. U.S. customers can still sign up for updates on Nintendo’s site, but snagging one now takes speed, luck, and maybe a few checkout tricks.
WhatsApp Defends 'Optional' AI Tool, Despite User Backlash
WhatsApp is defending its new AI feature, claiming it’s "optional" even though it can’t be removed from the app. The feature, which includes a blue circle with Meta AI branding, lets users interact with a chatbot for information, like weather updates. However, many users are frustrated by its permanence and the inability to turn it off, similar to Microsoft’s earlier Recall tool, which faced backlash before being made removable.
While Meta assures that personal messages remain encrypted, concerns over privacy persist. Critics worry that Meta could exploit user data to train its AI models. Privacy experts have also voiced concerns about the company using personal information to improve AI, particularly in light of an investigation into Meta’s use of pirated books for training.
Revolut Hits $1.5B Profit as It Prepares U.K. Bank Launch
Fintech giant Revolut reported a record $1.5 billion in profit for 2024, a 149% jump from the previous year. Revenue surged 72% to $3.9 billion, driven by booming growth in stock trading, subscriptions, and lending. The company is preparing to fully launch its U.K. bank later this year after receiving a restricted license in July 2024.
Revolut aims to transfer 11 million U.K. users to its new banking entity and start offering loans, overdrafts, and mortgages. Executives say the move will build customer trust and pave the way for global expansion and potentially an IPO. But it still faces stiff competition from established rivals like Monzo and Starling.
China Prepares to Launch Replacement Crew for Space Station
China is gearing up for the launch of a three-person crew to replace astronauts aboard its Tiangong space station, marking another step toward potential missions to the Moon and Mars. The Shenzhou 20 mission is set to launch on Thursday from Jiuquan, China, with Commander Chen Dong and two new astronauts, Chen Zhongrui and Wang Jie, onboard. They will replace the current crew, who have been in space for 175 days.
The Tiangong space station, which was fully assembled in 2022, serves as a major milestone in China's growing space capabilities. The station can house up to six astronauts at once, and the new crew will conduct experiments and spacewalks to maintain the station and install new equipment. China's space ambitions are also focused on sending a human to the Moon by 2030.
That’s all for this week, catch up with us again next week for all things tech and trending!
