He could have said it at any time he saw us discussing it for the past two days. "Hey guys, I think there is a misunderstanding or miscommunication... the plan is..." and left it at that.
exactly
why did he wait until hour 48? Because he was expecting an announcement, too, and it never came.
It never came, because they don't dare announce that the chips are not working (unless it is just an outright scam)