Podcast Summary: The WAN Show – "This Is An Emergency" (April 4, 2025)

Released on April 5, 2025, "This Is An Emergency" is an engaging episode of The WAN Show, hosted by Linus Sebastian, Luke Lafreniere, and Dan. The trio delves into the latest happenings in the tech universe, covering topics from the Nintendo Switch 2 launch to unexpected April Fools' antics.

1. Nintendo Switch 2 Launch

a. Initial Impressions

Before delving into the specifics, Linus and Luke share their initial thoughts on the Nintendo Switch 2 announcement. Luke expresses enthusiasm for the launch titles, particularly Mario Kart World, while reserving excitement for its new features.

Luke Lafreniere [03:20]: "I thought the dock actually having performance implications like the dock having a fan in it, which could help keep the system cool, which could help keep performance high. Seems genuinely actually pretty cool."

b. Technical Specifications and Features

The discussion transitions to the rumored specs of the Switch 2, highlighting significant upgrades such as a semi-custom 5nm Tegra T239 chipset, 12GB of LPDDR5X memory, and a new Ampere GPU supporting RTX ray tracing and AI upscaling.

Linus Sebastian [04:46]: "We’re expecting a semi custom 5 nanometer variant of the Tegra T239... And of course gen 3 tensor cores that are going to enable AI upscaling."

c. Pricing Concerns

The Switch 2’s price tag of $450 sparks a debate on affordability and inflation. Linus draws parallels to past console pricing, noting that while rooted in historical context, it poses a significant burden for younger generations facing stagnant earnings.

Linus Sebastian [18:25]: "It's a lot. ... Now, with the younger generations’ earnings not advancing on pace with inflation, the Switch 2 looks perfectly reasonable compared to the Super Nintendo."

d. Subscription and Chat Features

A key point of contention is the Switch 2’s chat functionality being gated behind a Nintendo Online subscription. Both hosts express skepticism, suggesting that many users may continue using alternative platforms like Discord for in-game communication.

Luke Lafreniere [09:00]: "So, man, we're not quite there in terms of going through all the interesting stuff... you could still play games on your Switch because... why pay more for Nintendo Chat? That's crazy."

e. Pre-order Strategies and Scalping

Nintendo’s strategy to mitigate scalping by requiring 12 months of Nintendo Online subscription and 50 hours of gameplay prior to pre-order is dissected. The hosts weigh the effectiveness and fairness of such measures.

Linus Sebastian [12:30]: "They are saying, look, you've got to have a Nintendo online subscription for 12 months... you are a Nintendo gamer and also that you give Nintendo money on an ongoing basis."

f. Game Upgrades and Compatibility

The potential need for additional purchase of game upgrades for essential titles like Breath of the Wild is discussed, emphasizing the financial strain it may impose on dedicated gamers.

Linus Sebastian [37:50]: "They may have to buy upgrade packs for a game that I played as much as I needed to play seven years ago... If it's $20, that is way too much to spend on an upgrade."

2. April Fools’ Antics: Purchasing a Fire Truck

In a bold April Fools' move, the team unexpectedly purchased a real fire truck, leading to a series of humorous and chaotic moments during the episode.

Linus Sebastian [32:53]: "I bought a Switch 2. I'm not gonna pay scalper prices. I won't do that because again, yeah, that's on principle. But I'm just gonna wait till it's in stock in a store and I'm gonna walk in and I'm gonna buy it."

The fire truck serves as both a comedic prop and a merchandising tool, with Linus and Luke navigating its functionalities live on the show. The segment is filled with slapstick humor, including attempts to maneuver within the truck and playful interactions.

Luke Lafreniere [25:06]: "And that's why I said it's pretty weird because you don't need Nintendo Switch Online, which is odd."

3. Merchandise Messages and Sales

The episode highlights the overwhelming demand for their custom merchandise, particularly inspired by the April Fools' joke. T-shirts and water bottles were sold out rapidly, prompting the hosts to discuss restocking strategies.

Dan [55:59]: "Only a few months in, and we already sold out of the custom T-shirts."

Linus showcases the available merchandise, including the "thirst extinguisher" water bottles and commemorative fire trucks, while addressing the community's enthusiastic response.

Linus Sebastian [56:00]: "We sold an absolute butt ton of these."

4. Impact of New US Tariffs

The introduction of sweeping new US tariffs under the plan dubbed "Liberation Day" is scrutinized for its potential repercussions on the tech industry. The tariffs target key manufacturing nations, including China, Taiwan, South Korea, and Vietnam, leading to anticipated price hikes for components essential to PC builders and tech enthusiasts.

Linus Sebastian [94:02]: "The current US administration has announced sweeping new tariffs under a plan dubbed Liberation Day... These new tariffs reach as high as 46%."

The hosts discuss strategies to mitigate these impacts, such as negotiating with suppliers and exploring localized fulfillment to keep prices as stable as possible.

Linus Sebastian [103:05]: "We're exploring new manufacturing locations and rapidly accelerating our efforts to explore localized fulfillment so we can get our products to you faster with lower shipping costs."

5. LG TVs Losing Google Assistant

A significant update for LG OLED TV owners is the discontinuation of Google Assistant functionality as of May 1, 2025. The hosts explore the implications of this change, particularly for users who rely heavily on voice controls.

Linus Sebastian [86:12]: "If Bob’s organization is using Gmail, then the organization manages Bob’s encryption keys. So administrators with access to the keys can snoop on the communications at any time."

The conversation extends to broader concerns about software dependencies and the lack of ownership over certain tech features, raising questions about user autonomy and privacy.

Luke Lafreniere [98:43]: "Would you pay extra for a TV that is not subsidized by ads and telemetry being sent back to the manufacturer?"

6. Concurrent Use of AMD and Nvidia GPUs

The possibility of using both AMD and Nvidia GPUs in a single setup through Lossless Scaling's dual GPU frame generation method is introduced. Reflecting on historical attempts, Linus expresses interest in exploring this configuration further in future episodes.

Dan [183:50]: "Wondering if you have any thoughts."

Linus Sebastian [183:59]: "We're gonna do a video on it. Just a matter of, like, when we can get it on the schedule."

7. Personal Anecdotes and Memories

Throughout the episode, Linus and Luke reminisce about past projects and memorable moments, such as the implementation of a fire pole and their experiences at events like Computex.

Linus Sebastian [166:54]: "One of the points that was brought up by you, by Jake Tivy, by the audience, was that they didn’t think that these neveras were going to appreciate like many hypercars do."

These stories add a personal touch, illustrating the hosts' journey and growth within the tech community.

8. Upcoming Projects and Announcements

The team teases future content, including a tour of an "Ultimate Land Gaming House" and exclusive merchandise collaborations with Floatplane. They also discuss the challenges and successes of their April Fools' videos, emphasizing the balance between creativity and fiscal responsibility.

Linus Sebastian [167:32]: "We made it back. Believe it or not, we are responsible adults running a responsible adult company making sure that the people who work on all these projects get paid."

Conclusion

"This Is An Emergency" offers a blend of technical discussions, humorous interludes, and heartfelt anecdotes, encapsulating the dynamic energy of The WAN Show. From high-stakes tariffs to playful April Fools' pranks, Linus, Luke, and Dan navigate the complexities of the tech world with wit and insight, providing listeners with both information and entertainment.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Luke Lafreniere [03:20]: "I thought the dock actually having performance implications like the dock having a fan in it, which could help keep the system cool, which could help keep performance high. Seems genuinely actually pretty cool."

• Linus Sebastian [04:46]: "We’re expecting a semi custom 5 nanometer variant of the Tegra T239... And of course gen 3 tensor cores that are going to enable AI upscaling."

• Linus Sebastian [18:25]: "It's a lot. ... Now, with the younger generations’ earnings not advancing on pace with inflation, the Switch 2 looks perfectly reasonable compared to the Super Nintendo."

• Luke Lafreniere [09:00]: "So, man, we're not quite there in terms of going through all the interesting stuff... you could still play games on your Switch because... why pay more for Nintendo Chat? That's crazy."

• Linus Sebastian [37:50]: "They may have to buy upgrade packs for a game that I played as much as I needed to play seven years ago... If it's $20, that is way too much to spend on an upgrade."

• Linus Sebastian [94:02]: "The current US administration has announced sweeping new tariffs under a plan dubbed Liberation Day... These new tariffs reach as high as 46%."

• Linus Sebastian [103:05]: "We're exploring new manufacturing locations and rapidly accelerating our efforts to explore localized fulfillment so we can get our products to you faster with lower shipping costs."

• Luke Lafreniere [98:43]: "Would you pay extra for a TV that is not subsidized by ads and telemetry being sent back to the manufacturer?"

• Linus Sebastian [183:59]: "We're gonna do a video on it. Just a matter of, like, when we can get it on the schedule."

• Linus Sebastian [167:32]: "We made it back. Believe it or not, we are responsible adults running a responsible adult company making sure that the people who work on all these projects get paid."

For more in-depth discussions and updates, tune into The WAN Show on your preferred podcast platform.