GameStop Shares Plummet Amid Bitcoin Pivot Concerns

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GameStop (GME.N) shares tumbled more than 15% on Thursday, erasing gains from the previous day, as investors questioned the company’s strategy to pivot toward bitcoin while struggling to revive its core retail business.

The company announced a $1.3 billion offering of 0% 2030 convertible bonds to purchase bitcoin as a treasury reserve asset, a move that initially excited retail investors. However, the enthusiasm quickly faded when GameStop also revealed plans to close a “significant number” of stores, highlighting its continued financial struggles.

Analysts expressed skepticism over the timing of the bitcoin purchase, noting that the cryptocurrency has surged nearly 27% since November’s U.S. presidential election but remains volatile. Some questioned why GameStop waited so long to adopt this strategy.

The company’s approach mirrors that of MicroStrategy (MSTR.O), a major institutional bitcoin holder, but has so far failed to boost investor confidence. Additionally, broader uncertainties in the cryptocurrency market have added to concerns about the sustainability of GameStop’s pivot.

With Thursday’s drop, GameStop shares are down over 23% year-to-date.

SiCarrier Claims Its Tools Can Help China Develop Advanced Chips

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Chinese chip equipment maker Shenzhen SiCarrier Industry Machines asserted on Thursday that its domestically developed tools could enable China to manufacture advanced semiconductors, despite U.S. export controls on high-end chipmaking technology.

Speaking at the Semicon China industry fair, SiCarrier president Du Lijun noted that while China lacks access to advanced lithography systems due to U.S. trade restrictions, alternative non-optical technologies could be used to produce 5-nanometer (nm) chips. He acknowledged that multi-patterning techniques could increase manufacturing complexity and reduce yields but argued that they provide a viable path for China to progress beyond 7 nm chips.

SiCarrier, founded in 2022 and backed by a state investment fund, supplies major Chinese foundries such as Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation (SMIC) and reportedly collaborates with Huawei. The company was among 140 Chinese firms added to the U.S. trade blacklist in December 2023.

The firm’s multi-patterning approach, patented in late 2023, utilizes deep ultraviolet lithography (DUV) and self-aligned quadruple patterning (SAQP) to mimic certain EUV lithography capabilities while reducing costs. This strategy is seen as a potential workaround to Western restrictions on ASML’s extreme ultraviolet (EUV) machines.

Google Pixel 10 Series to Feature Tensor G5 Chip with Major Upgrades, Including Custom Camera ISP

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Google is set to unveil its highly anticipated Pixel 10 series later this year, powered by the next-generation Tensor G5 chip. In a significant shift, Google is expected to move away from Samsung as the primary manufacturer of its smartphone processors and turn to Taiwan-based TSMC for production. Ahead of the official launch, several details about the Tensor G5 chip’s new components have emerged, shedding light on the advancements and changes that will define Google’s upcoming flagship devices.

The Tensor G5 will build upon the foundation laid by the previous Tensor G4 chip, with Google continuing to incorporate its proprietary components for enhanced performance. According to sources close to the company, key features of the Tensor G5 will include the integration of Google’s always-on compute (AoC) audio processor, the Google Emerald Hill memory coprocessor, the Google GXP digital signal processor (DSP), and the Google EdgeTPU, all of which have been carried over from the G4. These components are expected to offer improvements in processing efficiency, audio handling, and machine learning capabilities.

A notable change with the Tensor G5 is the switch in GPU suppliers. Unlike its predecessors, which used GPUs designed by Samsung, the G5 will feature a GPU from Imagination Technologies, specifically the DXT model. This move is expected to improve graphics performance and power efficiency, contributing to a more seamless user experience. Additionally, the Tensor G5 will drop support for some older video codecs, such as Google’s BigWave (AV1) and Samsung’s MFC video codecs, in favor of a new video IP from Chips&Media, the WAVE677DV. This update could enhance video playback and streaming capabilities on the Pixel 10 series.

Perhaps the most significant change is in the camera department. Instead of relying on Samsung’s customized ISP (Image Signal Processor), Google is reportedly developing its own custom ISP for the Tensor G5, which is expected to offer enhanced image processing capabilities. This shift reflects Google’s ongoing investment in camera technology and its desire to have more control over the image quality produced by its smartphones. Additionally, the Tensor G5 will feature alternative components for interfaces and controllers, including UFS, USB3, and PWM controllers from third-party suppliers such as Synopsys, SmartDV, and Faraday Technologies, replacing Samsung’s previous offerings. These changes highlight Google’s commitment to improving the overall performance and customization of its hardware, setting the stage for a more refined and powerful Pixel 10 series.