KRAFTON India unveils BGMI Showdown and International Cup to expand global esports pathways

KRAFTON India has announced two flagship esports tournaments for the second half of 2025, creating direct qualification routes for Indian teams into a Global Championship. The BGMI Showdown (BMSD) and the BGMI International Cup (BMIC) will each feature a prize pool of Rs 1 crore.

The BGMI Showdown begins September 18 in Hyderabad with 48 teams drawn from BGIS, BMPS, and third-party events. The winner will secure a direct slot in the Global Championship, while the top eight squads will advance to the BGMI International Cup. The BMSD finals are set for October 10 to 12 in a limited live studio format.

The BGMI International Cup, scheduled for October 31 to November 2, will bring India’s top eight teams face-to-face with elite squads from Korea and Japan. With two more Global Championship slots on the line, the event marks India’s most ambitious step yet onto the global esports stage.

KRAFTON also confirmed the expansion of its BGMI Campus Tour into Tier-2 cities, aiming to grow grassroots talent. Together, these initiatives signal India’s growing role as a serious player in international competitive gaming.

OnePlus Nord Buds 3r enters open sale in India with 54-hour battery life

OnePlus has launched its latest entry-level true wireless earbuds, the Nord Buds 3r, now available in India through open sale starting September 8. Priced at Rs 1,799, the earbuds are currently being offered at a special launch price of Rs 1,599, with additional discounts bringing the cost down to Rs 1,499 on select bank cards.

The standout feature of the Nord Buds 3r is its claimed 54-hour battery life, backed by TÜV Rheinland Battery Health Certification to ensure durability over 1,000 charging cycles. An IP55 rating adds protection against dust and water, making the earbuds suitable for workouts and outdoor use.

The Nord Buds 3r are powered by 12.4mm titanium-coated dynamic drivers and include customizable Sound Master EQ settings along with OnePlus 3D Audio for a spatial soundstage on select smartphones. Call quality is supported by dual microphones with AI noise cancellation and anti-wind design.

Connectivity features include Bluetooth 5.4, 47ms low-latency gaming mode, dual-device pairing, and Google Fast Pair. Available in Aura Blue and Ash Black, the earbuds can be purchased via OnePlus’ official channels, major e-commerce sites, and retail partners across India.

Porsche brings hybrid power to the 911 Turbo S

Porsche has unveiled the first hybrid version of its flagship 911 Turbo S, marking a turning point for the iconic sports car. The 2025 model combines a twin-turbocharged flat-six engine with an integrated electric motor, delivering instant torque and sharper response without abandoning the brand’s signature character.

The engineering solution is striking. Instead of relying on a large floor-mounted battery pack, Porsche placed a compact unit ahead of the rear axle. This preserves weight distribution while providing a burst of electric power that eliminates turbo lag. Drivers can expect brutal launches and seamless acceleration, with the hybrid system focused entirely on performance rather than efficiency.

Porsche is clear about its intent. The 911 Turbo S hybrid is not a compromise on the way to an electric future but a refinement of combustion technology. By blending electrification with its classic formula, the company positions the 911 for a new era while keeping its DNA intact.

With rivals accelerating into full electric territory, Porsche has chosen a different lane using hybrid technology to make its legend faster than ever.

Comic Con India returns to Delhi in December 2025 with its biggest edition yet

Comic Con India has officially confirmed that its flagship festival will return to Delhi from December 5 to 7, 2025, at the NSIC Exhibition Grounds in Okhla. The three-day event, exclusively ticketed through District by Zomato, promises a packed lineup of comics, cosplay, gaming, and fan-driven experiences.

Since its debut in 2011, Delhi has served as the launchpad for Comic Con India, evolving into the country’s largest stage for pop culture. Last year’s edition drew more than 52,000 fans and featured stand-up comedy, live music, and international guests from the worlds of anime and comics.

Organizers say the upcoming edition will build on that momentum with interactive zones, gaming tournaments, workshops, and cosplay contests. Fans can also expect appearances by global creators and industry professionals, alongside networking opportunities for emerging artists.

“Delhi will always be home for Comic Con India,” said Akshat Rathee, Co-founder and MD of NODWIN Gaming. “This December, I can’t wait to see the capital once again transform into India’s biggest celebration of stories, characters, and imagination.”

Altos India launches AI server to fuel enterprise adoption

Bengaluru-based Altos India, a subsidiary of Acer Inc., has introduced the Altos BrainSphere R680 F7, a next-generation AI server built for enterprise-scale deployments. The launch, announced on September 8, positions the company to tap into growing demand for advanced AI infrastructure across industries ranging from healthcare to government.

The R680 F7 can be configured with up to eight NVIDIA GPUs, including the latest RTX Pro 6000 Blackwell Server Edition, H200 NVL, and L40S. It also supports Intel’s 6th-generation Xeon processors and DDR5 memory. Its flexible PCIe design enables integration of diverse accelerated computing technologies, making it suitable for workloads such as AI inference, industrial automation, medical imaging, and smart security.

To simplify adoption, the server pairs with Altos aiWorks, a platform that bundles hardware and software resources for faster deployment. The suite supports hybrid workloads and now comes with tools for model deployment, job scheduling, and monitoring. It also integrates NVIDIA AI Enterprise software and NIM microservices, giving enterprises a foundation for scalable, production-ready AI environments.

ASUS launches Vivobook S16 in bold new colors with AI performance

ASUS has introduced the Vivobook S16 (S3607QA) in India, unveiled on September 8 as part of its Vivobook Multicolor Series. The laptop arrives in two fresh hues, BFF Peachy and Salvia Green, aimed at students and young professionals who want style alongside performance.

The device is powered by the Snapdragon X processor with an NPU capable of up to 45 trillion operations per second. This enables Copilot+ PC features along with ASUS AI apps such as StoryCube. The Vivobook S16 combines this power with a 16-inch OLED display, 16GB LPDDR5X RAM, and 512GB PCIe 4 SSD storage. Despite its performance credentials, it maintains a lightweight 1.74kg profile.

ASUS has also fitted the Vivobook S16 with a 70Wh battery that offers up to 32 hours of life on a single charge. Fast Type-C charging and a wide range of ports including USB4 and HDMI 2.1 add further utility. Privacy and security are handled through a physical webcam shutter, IR camera with Windows Hello, and the Microsoft Pluton chip.

Skullcandy launches INK’D ANC earbuds in India with 43-hour battery life

Skullcandy has introduced its latest true wireless earbuds, the INK’D ANC, in India, bringing active noise cancellation and long battery life to a competitive price segment. The earbuds, available now in True Black, are priced at Rs 2,999 under a limited-time launch offer and can be purchased via Amazon and Skullcandy’s official website.

The INK’D ANC earbuds are equipped with 10mm drivers tuned with Skullcandy’s Supreme Sound technology, promising powerful bass and clear vocals. A quad-microphone setup enhances call quality, while Active Noise Cancelling helps block ambient sound during travel or work. The earbuds also feature multipoint pairing, touch controls, Bluetooth 5.4, and USB-C fast charging.

Battery life is rated at up to 43 hours with the charging case, and a 10-minute quick charge provides two hours of playback. An IPX4 rating ensures sweat and water resistance, making them suitable for workouts and commutes.

Amlan Bhattacharjya, CEO of Brandeyes Distributors, Skullcandy’s India partner, said the launch reflects the brand’s focus on delivering advanced features at accessible prices for music fans, gamers, and professionals alike.