Esports company Nodwin Gaming has opened registrations for its much-awaited tournament —Valorant Conquerors Championship (VCC) 2022 — from today onwards. This mega event will give South Asian Valorant players the chance to win a prize pool of USD 30,000 which also includes a reward of USD 1,500 for the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the tournament. VCC also gives the participating players an opportunity to qualify for the Asia Pacific (APAC) Challenger Playoffs Split 1. The winning team from there will then compete at the VCT 2022 Masters Split 1.
The championship follows the same format as its first edition that was held in June 2021. Qualifying teams from each sub-region will go through the VCC Playoffs to reach the grand finals and the top two South Asian teams will make their way to Split 1 Asia Pacific (APAC) Challenger Playoffs. The winner will then play at the Valorant Champions Tour 2022 Masters Split 1.
“The first edition of VCC set the benchmark high in the South Asian Valorant Circuit. Right from the tournament structure, prize pool, player skill level to the overall tournament hygiene, each element was lauded among the esports fraternity. With this edition, we have taken it a notch higher and aim to establish VCC as a strong regional tournament at the global level. The last edition had some amazing success stories, the noise is louder this time and we can expect nothing less. We are happy to associate with Riot Games again and are delighted that they share the same focus for South Asia as us,” said Akshat Rathee, MD & Co-Founder, Nodwin Gaming.
The tournament is being organised together with Riot Games, global leaders in game development and publishing. Since its launch, VCC has become the most awaited event among the South Asian Valorant community.
Also Read | Nodwin Gaming acquires 10% stake in Rusk Media
“It’s been great partnering with NODWIN Gaming to give the esports ecosystem such a huge and popular IP like VCC. With this edition, we promise to provide the most thrilling gaming experience for our players, even as we foresee more participation, a larger audience viewership and intense competition as the stakes are much higher. May the best team win,” said Sukamal Pegu, Publishing Leader, India and South Asia, Riot Games.
The upcoming edition is scheduled as follows:
January 22 to February 13, 2022 — Qualifiers
February 18 to 20, 2022 — Playoffs
February 25 to 27, 2022 — Grand finals
The tournament will field the following six qualifiers:
India – 2 Qualifiers, 2 Slots
Pakistan & Afghanistan – 1 Qualifier, 1 Slot
Sri Lanka & Maldives – 1 Qualifier, 1 Slot
Bangladesh – 1 Qualifier, 1 Slot
Nepal & Bhutan – 1 Qualifier, 1 Slot
Wildcard – 1 Qualifier, 2 Slots
We are also proud to announce that Nodwin Gaming has secured the exclusive Hindi broadcast rights for the complete Valorant Champions Tour 2022. Starting from APAC Last Chance Qualifiers, Southeast Asia Challengers, to the Valorant Masters and ending it at Valorant Champions to finish the 2022 circuit.
To register for the Valorant Conquerors Championship 2022, log on to the official VCC website.
All matches will be broadcast live on Loco and Rooter along with Nodwin Gaming Facebook, Twitch and YouTube channels.
Also Read: Noise ColorFit Caliber smartwatch with 1.69-inch display, body temperature monitoring launched in India
Popular connected lifestyle brand Noise has launched ColorFit Caliber smartwatch in India. The all-new timepiece is Noise’s proposition to be equipped with body temperature monitoring. It is exclusively available on Flipkart and the Noise website (GoNoise) at an introductory price of Rs 1,999.
The Noise ColorFit Caliber is launched in five colour options such as Metal Black, Lime Green, Pearl White, Midnight Blue and Classic Red. The smartwatch offers a premium look with a flat-edge design and has a 1.69-inch TFT LCD with 240×280 pixels. The smartwatch offers the longest battery life in the segment with longevity of up to 15 days.
The smartwatch has 60 sports modes to give more opportunities for fitness activities. It is equipped with Noise Health Suite that offers a Blood oxygen monitor, 24*7 heart rate monitor, stress monitor, sleep monitor, temperature sensor among other prominent features. ColorFit Caliber comes with IP68 water-resistant feature. It also replies to texts and calls for Android users quickly. It has 150+ cloud-based and customizable watch faces.
Amit Khatri, Co-founder at Noise, said, “ColorFit is our one of the best-selling series at Noise. Noisemakers have always been excited with our introductions in its portfolio. With ColorFit Caliber, we intend to provide a tech-forward proposition with superior features, looks, design, and activity mode at affordable pricing. We intend to introduce more gadgets that fulfill requirements of Noisemakers.”
Noise is the first homegrown brand to lead the wearable watch brand for the sixth consecutive quarter as India’s No.1 brand.
Smartphone and smart TV brand Xiaomi India today launched another series of premium smartphones – Xiaomi 11i HyperCharge with 120W HyperCharge technology and Xiaomi 11i with 67W Turbocharge technology.
With an aim to unify brand presence globally, Xiaomi introduced two distinct product portfolios – Xiaomi and Redmi wherein Xiaomi brand represents the pinnacle of technology, offering premium design and refined experiences. It has registered a significant growth over the last one year and continuing on this growth journey, Xiaomi aims to refresh most of its premium flagship series this year. In line with this commitment, Xiaomi is launching its first set of premium smartphones under the ‘I’ series product line – Xiaomi 11i HyperCharge and Xiaomi 11i.
To revolutionize users’ charging routine, the new Xiaomi 11i HyperCharge deploys a combination of innovations across the battery, charging circuit, and 120W charger that allows it to charge 100% of the phone in just 15 mins, thus making it the fastest charging smartphone in the country. Xiaomi 11i brings a huge 5,160mAh battery with 67W TurboCharge technology and is capable of charging the smartphone up to 50% within 13 mins. Both the smartphones are packed with 120Hz FHD+ 6.67-inches AMOLED display, Mediatek Dimensity 920 5G chipset, flagship 108MP Triple Pro Cameras and dual symmetrical stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos in an all new design.
Dr. Vivek Kumar, head of Xiaomi brand phones said, “With the increasing content consumption and modern-day usage and lifestyle, users are always on a look out for bigger and brighter displays that come with top-of-the-line specifications and features. However, these devices consume huge amounts of power and increase battery drain, which results in the consumers spending more time in charging their smartphones. Based on the observation and guided by consumers’ feedback on the requirement of fast charging technology, we set out to create the Xiaomi 11i series to bring HyperCharge Revolution in India, thereby becoming the first brand to break the 100W smartphone charging barrier in the country.
Crafted for the go-getters, both these devices pull out all the stops for those who want to experience the best that technology has to offer with our most advanced camera system, fastest charging capabilities and one of the brightest displays. With 120W Xiaomi HyperCharge technology, 120Hz high refresh rate AMOLED display, 108MP camera, coupled with a powerful all-new Dimensity 920 high performance processor, these devices are designed to deliver to its true potential. This series is our yet another effort in delivering future proof technology and we hope consumers love it too.”
Industry leading proprietary 120W Xiaomi HyperCharge Technology
Xiaomi 11i HyperCharge is India’s first smartphone to launch with the company’s proprietary 120W Xiaomi HyperCharge technology. The industry-leading technology will enable a 100% charge in just 15 minutes. The Hypercharge technology deploys a combination of innovations across the battery, charging circuit and the charger.
Dual Charge pumps adjust the voltage and amperage to the optimal ratio. It lowers the voltage and raises the amperage to overcome conventional voltage limitations and allows for higher wattage intake
Dual-Cell Battery structure allows for parallel charging of split cells thereby doubling the available input
Multiple Tab Windings (MTW) extends the time of high current and supports real-time cell current and voltage monitoring. As a result, this significantly reduces trickle charging time
Graphene-based Li-ion batteries allow for greater conductivity than traditional batteries resulting in a higher charging efficiency and lower heat losses
Vapor Chamber cooling technology that allows for quick heat dissipation to ensure an efficient charging cycle
The Xiaomi Hypercharge technology also deploys industry leading quality measures to ensure a safe and smooth fast charging experience.
It comes with TÜV Rheinland Safe Fast-Charge System Certification
It has 34 charging and battery safety features, spanning the entire charging path from the charger to circuit to battery
The smartphone features 9 thermal sensors that monitor real-time temperature, ensuring charging is safe at all times
Xiaomi 11i HyperCharge also sets another benchmark with its battery health performance.
Even with India’s fastest charging technology, the smartphone still retains up to 80% battery capacity even after 800 charge-discharge cycles, as compared to 60% battery capacity retention after 500 charge-discharge cycles, typically seen on other smartphones.
The device can also be charged under extreme weather conditions. It provides up to 12W charging speed even at a temperature of -10°C
While Xiaomi 11i Hypercharge boasts a 4,500mAh battery along with 120W Xiaomi HyperCharge technology, Xiaomi 11i comes with a 5,160mAh battery with the 67W turbocharge technology that allows users to charge their smartphone from 0 to 50% within 13 minutes.
Also Read | Xiaomi Watch S1, Buds 3 launched: Check specifications and price
Long-lasting performance with Mediatek Dimensity 920 5G
Powered by MediaTek Dimensity 920 5G Chipset, Xiaomi 11i series is amongst the first smartphones in India to debut with the all-new powerful 5G chipset. Released in Q3 of 2021, this 5G chipset offers users flagship-grade performance, unstoppable connectivity, and increased battery life. Based on a 6nm manufacturing process, the chipset offers 9% overall performance improvement and 34% gaming performance improvement compared to its predecessor. The performance is further enhanced with 5G UltraSave, which results in a power efficiency of more than 40%.
The smartphones come with Dual 5G SIM support, WIFI 6 and brings Truly Global 5G connectivity with 8 band support. The chipset also brings a significant leap in camera performance with flagship-grade noise-reduction techniques. Xiaomi 11i series also boasts of VC cooling technology that helps keep the phone cool throughout, thereby providing seamless and unthrottled performance during intensive and long gaming sessions. To cater to all power and performance needs of the consumers, the smartphone features Virtual RAM expansion. Users can expand RAM by up to 3GB, and storage can also be expanded via the Hybrid SIM slot up to 1 TB.
Enhancing the overall user experience, both smartphones come with MIUI 12.5 enhanced edition out of the box. MIUI 12.5 is the cleanest, fastest, and most optimized UI yet that aims to deliver a smooth software experience to users. Enabling a more personalized experience, it allows users to remove/uninstall most of the core system apps.
Stunning and a responsive 120Hz FHD+ 6.67-inch AMOLED display
Designed to play the most demanding content & games, both Xiaomi 11i HyperCharge and Xiaomi 11i feature a 120Hz FHD+ 6.67-inch AMOLED display, thereby ensuring a spectacular and an immersive experience. The 120Hz high refresh rate coupled with 360Hz touch sampling rate offers an exceptionally smooth experience to users. It also comes with 1200nits of peak brightness along with a 360 degree ambient light sensor to ensure a great outdoor viewing even under extreme light environments. To further extend this immersive experience, Xiaomi 11i series features a 1.76mm Ultra Narrow bezel with a 2.96mm punch-hole screen.
This spectacular display is paired with a dual symmetrical stereo speaker setup that comes powered with Dolby Atmos. With an aim to provide crisp, clear and powerful audio, Xiaomi 11i series comes with Hi-Res Audio Certification for both wired and wireless devices.
Featuring a sleek new flat-edge design with glass enclosing both sides, Xiaomi 11i series comes with a Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection on the front along with an IR blaster, a 3.5 mm headphone jack along with IP53 rating for enhanced protection. Adopting a slim and light design, both smartphones come in 4 different colors: Pacific Pearl, Stealth Black, Camo Green & Purple Mist, sporting an Anti-Glare Matte finish for a soft and smooth texture at the back.
Pro-grade advanced camera systems
Tailored for creativity on the fingertips, Xiaomi 11i series come with a triple camera setup, sporting the flagship 108MP HM2 image sensor. The camera features unique Dual Native ISO technology that allows users to capture noise-free images even in extreme low light situations. The primary sensor is accompanied by an 8MP ultra-wide camera sensor that delivers high-quality pictures with a 120° FOV along with a 2MP macro sensor that allows users to click detailed close-up pictures. At the front, the smartphones come with a 16MP camera for high-quality selfies and deliver a high-res video calling experience. The camera setup also brings support for 4K video recording at 30 fps and brings along multiple video modes and effects including VLOG modes for pro level shooting.
Availability:
Xiaomi 11i is launched in two variants – 6GB + 128GB at INR 24,999 and 8GB + 128 GB at INR 26,999
Xiaomi 11i Hypercharge is launched in two variants – 6GB + 128GB at INR 26,999 and 8GB + 128GB at INR 28,999
Xiaomi 11i Series Will be available from 12 January 2021 in four color options: Pacific Pearl, Stealth Black, Camo Green & Purple Mist across Mi.com, Flipkart.com, Mi Home and Mi Studio, and authorized retail partners.
With bank offers, users can purchase the newly launched devices at an additional cashback of up to Rs 2500, coupled with a special introductory New Year offer of INR 1500. In addition, existing Redmi Note users can avail extra INR 4,000 on exchange of their smartphones.
Also Read: Tecno Camon 18 Review: A good deal under 15k?
Tecno knows how to steal a market. They always comes with a device that brings so much to the table that it makes you forget about the other brands. Recently, the company launched the Camon 18 series that includes the Camon 18 Premier, Camon 18P, Camon 18i, and the regular Camon 18.
We received the Tecno Camon 18 as a review unit to review the same. Tecno claims Camon 18 to be the best camera-centric smartphone with a price range of under Rs 15,000. So, does the smartphone really live up to the company’s claim? Apart from the camera, what is there in the phone, which makes it a better mid-range smartphone? We’ll get to know now!
What’s in the box?
Like many budget phones, Tecno provides everything needed out of the box. When you open the box, as usual you get the handset at the top. Then, we have a transparent soft gel phone case over here with the one common at the back. We have the 18W flash charger along with the USB Type-C cable. The phone even has a plastic film screen protector that’s pre-applied. And lastly, we have the SIM ejector tool. Besides, the TWS earbuds priced at Rs 1,999 are being given free with the smartphone, which is great.
Design
Compared to the previous phones of Tecno Camon series, Camon 18 has done a lot of work in the design department. It comes in premium design. Especially the rear look of the smartphone is quite spectacular, which comes in glossy finish. But due to the use of plastic, fingerprints are clearly visible on the rear panel when the phone is held.
At the right side of the phone, you will find the power button which also doubles as the fingerprint scanner, which is pretty fast as expected. On the left side, you will find the dual SIM tray that can hold two SIM cards and an SD card. At the bottom, you find a USBC Type-C port, a headphone jack, and a single speaker outlet. At the back, we have a triple camera setup with quad flash. At the front, we have a dotting display front camera with the earpiece on top.
Also Read | Tecno Camon 17 Pro Review: An affordable flagship with impressive features
Display
The Tecno Camon 18 has a large 6.8-inch LCD panel display with Full HD i.e. 1080 x 2460 pixel resolution. One can easily hold the phone. The display has a very tall aspect ratio now as I have used it to consume contents on most social media platforms. The display has a 90 hz refresh rate and it’s very smooth comparing it to devices like the Redmi 10. The display comes with 500 nits peak brightness; therefore, there is no problem in using the phone outdoors.
Performance
From the box, the Tecno Camon 18 comes with Android 11 based HiOS 8.0 skin and is being powered by MediaTek Helio G85 chipset. You get up to 4GB of RAM and 128GB internal storage. Also, 3GB expandable RAM support is available. You get up to 4GB of RAM and 128GB internal storage. Everything actually works very smoothly. Performing day-to-day tasks like watching videos, using social media and putting the phone under heavy task of switching between applications is quite smooth. However, it is not suitable for high graphics gaming. Overall, the Tecno Camon 18 is quite better in terms of performance.
Cameras
The Tecno Camon 18 is a camera-centric smartphone that has been introduced with 48MP + 48MP combination. This means a 48MP triple camera has been given in the rear of the device as well as on the front. Along with 48MP main camera, you get a 2MP depth and a 2MP macro lens at the back. AI Cam, Beauty, Portrait and Super Night Mode have been given in the phone.
The night mode pictures on this phone are just on point like it’s surprisingly good. I have used some more expensive smartphones that can pull of the kind of night mode pictures that this phone pulls and that’s a plus and something I really love about Tecno Camon 18.
Tecno Camon 18 Night ModeTecno Camon 18 (Night Mode Full View)Tecno Camon 18 Super Night Mode
As for regular pictures, I think the performance is just average because a lot of times, the HDR doesn’t work as expected, other times it works well so there is no consistency. If you are buying a phone like this, you should expect this kind of behavior from the cameras.
Talking about the video department, the Tecno Camon 18 comes with 2K video recording mode. We also have short video if you are into Reels and YouTube Shorts. For the other useful features in this phone are time lapse, slow motion and super night feature. Talking about the overall camera department, the phone is quite good.
Battery
For the battery of the Tecno Camon 18, you get up to 5,000mAh battery and supports 18W fast charging. It took me around one and a half hour to get the device fully charged. The screen on time on this device could be between 7 to 8 hours which is fairly good enough for the battery capacity that device has that means depending on how much of heavy user you are. This phone should be able to take you through the whole day before you are able to kill the battery.
Price
The 4 GB RAM + 128 GB internal storage base variant of Tecno Camon 18 price in India starts from Rs 14,999. The smartphone is available in Dusk Grey and Iris Purple color options. Tecno stands out from the rest of its competitors with attractive features under Rs 15,000.
Conclusion
From my perspective, there are a couple of main sections that any phone owner want to see their phone excel in – that is – performance, camera, and battery. The Tecno Camon 18 does really well in all of these areas. A 4GB of RAM, a triple rear camera, and a massive battery. Hence, the device is totally great and worth the price it currently sells for. It’s good that Tecno is quickly catching up to what price-conscious customers want and has also brought major improvements. I thoroughly enjoyed using this Tecno Camon 18!
Also Read: FiiO launches M17 Portable Desktop Class Music Player in India
FiiO announces the launch of the M17 Portable Desktop Class Music Player in India. The player is priced at MRP 1,79,990 and is now available for purchase at the official website of FiiO and leading online & retail stores.
Key features of the M17 are below:
Desktop-league DAC ES9038PRO: The left and right audio channels each contain a desktop-class, 8-channel ES9038PRO flagship DAC. This means that each audio channel has 8 parallel outputs summed together for superior resolution and minimal distortion for extremely pure audio reproduction.
Desktop-class THX 788+ headphone amp: Desktop-class amplification also plays an important role in the M17. FiiO and THX jointly developed the exclusive THX AAA-788+, an upgraded version of the original op-amp. Compared to the original, output power is increased by 225% up to 3000mW per channel with a lower output impedance – allowing it more effortlessly power all kinds of headphones.
Desktop-level connectivity: The M17 DAPs features: 3.5mm output: headphone out/line out; 6.3mm output: headphone out; 2.5mm output: balanced headphone out; 4.4mm output: balanced headphone out/balanced line out; RCA coaxial port: coaxial input and output; USB 3.0 port: supports USB Host and Device modes, can be used for high-speed data transfers and fast charging; USB 2.0 port: supports USB Host mode, allowing external DACs or hard drive storage to be connected.
Desktop-tier heat dissipation: With exceptional audio quality comes with large power consumption, so effective heat dissipation was a large focus when designing the M17 DAPs. Not only are ‘H’ type heat dissipation and VC liquid cooling technologies adopted, the M17’s 151g unibody aluminium alloy frame also effectively transfers heat out of the device. Finally, the cooling fan stand also further makes sure heat is rapidly transported away.
Desktop-quality power supply: The M17 portable player contains two power supplies – a battery power supply and a power supply powered by external DC power. The battery power supply allows you to use the M17 in situations where there is no access to a power outlet. Under DC power supply, voltage in the analog circuit is increased by 35% up to 11.5V compared to under battery power supply; and the battery is kept healthy since it is not used in this mode.
Desktop-grade gain: Under battery power, there are 4 gain levels: low, medium, high, and headphone mode. When under DC mode, the enhanced over-ear headphone mode gain is unlocked, with a truly desktop level of amplification gain. In balanced output, gain can get as high as 16dB – allowing the M17 to easily drive most headphones.
A true smartphone-like experience: Android 10 OS open to install 3rd party apps; Bluetooth 5.0 with support for aptX Adaptive, supports up to DSD512 and 32bit/768kHz, supports MQA 8x unfolding for master-level sound.
Also Read: Tech NewsWrap: iQOO 9, IQOO9 Pro launched… and more
iQOO 9, iQOO9 Pro launched with Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 SoC
iQOO 9 and iQOO 9 Pro were launched at an event in China with recently announced Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 SoC under the hood. Both the devices are oriented towards gamers and are equipped with UFS 3.1 storage. The vanilla iQOO 9 is equipped with a flat 6.78-inch full-HD+ Samsung E5 OLED display, while iQOO 9 Pro sports a curved 6.78-inch Quad-HD+ E5 OLED display. While the new iQOO 9 is priced at RMB 3,999 (roughly Rs 47,000) for the base 8GB + 256GB storage model, the iQOO 9 Pro price is set at RMB 4,999 (roughly Rs 58,600) for the base 8GB + 256GB storage model.
Dizo Watch R, Buds Z Pro with ANC launched in India
Dizo Watch R and Buds Z Pro unveiled in India. These are the latest wearable products of the company and are placed in the budget segment The Watch R comes with a 1.3-inch AMOLED display with a 550nits brightness. It is claimed to have the biggest AMOLED screen in the segment and is equipped with a metal frame, 2.5D curved screen, and a 9.9mm slim body. Meanwhile, the Dizo Buds Z Pro TWS earbuds come with a natural light design and have support for Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) of up to 25db, 10mm dynamic drivers with Bass Boost+ algorithm.
Oppo Enco M32 launches in India
Oppo announced the availability of Enco M32, a wireless neckband that gives you up to 20 hours of playback on a 10-minute charge and up to 28 hours of listening after a flash charge of just 35 minutes. The Oppo Enco M32 will be available on Amazon and the Oppo store from January 10 till January 12 at an early bird discounted price of Rs 1,499. The Oppo Enco M32 packs 10mm dynamic drivers that deliver balanced sound with discernible bass, clear mids and crisp highs. It supports the AAC audio format for enhanced sound quality over streaming.
Asus ROG Flow Z13 gaming tablet unveiled
During its CES 2022 keynote, Asus announced its ROG Flow Z13 gaming tablet, which comes with a 13.4-inch display and a kickstand. It is basically a high-end gaming laptop crammed into a 12mm thick tablet form factor. The display of the tablet measures 13.4-inch and the slate’s body is a mere 12mm (0.47-inch) thick. It’s easy to stash in your backpack and have it always ready to play. The newly launched Asus ROG Flow Z13 will be made available by Q2 2022.
Also Read: Quantum launches gen-next video calling webcam QHM-999RL in India
Just days after launching a premium range of audio devices under the label of SonoTrix, Indian consumer and lifestyle tech brand Quantum has now introduced an auto-focus full HD video calling webcam QHM-999RL. Designed for professional-level video calling, the state-of-the-art webcam comes with an in-built microphone and offers 1920×1080 full HD resolutions at 30 FPS frame rate.
The webcam is also ideal for recording and gaming purposes. The other USPs of the camera includes a wide viewing angle to capture a larger area and automatic face detection to capture sharp images.
“Work from home is a practice that is here to stay, but we cannot discount the multiple challenges that come across. One of the most challenging tasks for those working remotely is attending video calls, for often there’s either scarcity of space or lack of adequate lighting. Quantum QHM-999RL is designed taking into accounts all such constraints, and is perfect for use even in the tiniest of workspace. The CMOS Sensor with a world-class lens enables enhanced sensitivity, reduces noise, adds high fidelity, adds more pixel depth and provides a higher dynamic range,” said Arnav Mutneja, Director at Quantum Hi-Tech.
He further said that in addition to work-from-home, the webcam would be a valuable addition to serve several other purposes such as online doctor consultation, attending virtual classes, social media content creation etc. One need not worry even if the surrounding is too bright or too dark, as its Auto White Balance and Autofocus features ensure amazing picture-perfect moments even in such conditions.
Notably, Quantum had declared a few weeks back that it would soon launch a slew of products that cater to the needs of an office. Quantum QHM-999RL is currently available at a discounted price of Rs 1,299 on leading ecommerce platforms like Flipkart.
Gaming company Zupee has announced a first-of-its-kind strategic partnership with Jio Platforms Limited. This will entail integration of products and strong synergies in user engagement and distribution in a future-ready ecosystem that will benefit over 450 million users.
With this new synergy, the aim is to build an ecosystem that will facilitate faster and more efficient development and distribution of products and services that will benefit Zupee customers. Jio users will be provided access to Zupee’s rich repertoire of online skill-based games as well as other innovative products that Zupee develops.
With the new partnership in place, emphasis will be on rolling out more quality games in multiple languages to as many users as possible with the ambition of making Zupee the biggest gaming platform in India connecting India with Bharat. Over 150 million 5G handsets are expected to be sold before the commercial launch of 5G in India, and Zupee is aggressively looking to capture as much of the market as possible with this partnership with Jio.
Zupee will also benefit from the reach Jio currently has. Zupee games will be distributed to all the Jio customers. It will also be made available to Jio Phone customers. This will give Zupee the biggest reach of all gaming companies in India catapulting the fastest growing gaming start-up into the biggest gaming company in the country. This strategic partnership firmly cements the trust in the incredible growth and vision that Zupee brings to the table with key strengths in cracking winning game formats and monetisation in the Indian market.
Zupee recently completed US$ 102 million Series B funding round, with an extension of US$ 30 million that was already raised. The round saw participation from marquee investors such as WestCap Group, Tomales Bay Capital, Nepean Capital, AJ Capital, Matrix Partners India & Orios Venture Partners. This takes the total funds raised by Zupee to US$ 121 million at a US$ 600 million valuation. Previous investors include the Smile Group who partnered as a venture builder with Zupee.
Zupee has over 70 million downloads in India and the new capital raise will help it grow its reach significantly.
Also Read | Zupee ropes in Gaurav Mehta as Chief Marketing Officer
The funds will be utilized for developing new products, enhancing immersive design experiences, expanding into new geographies, ramping up marketing, reach, penetration, research and innovation, and hiring top talent to further Zupee’s ambition of building a platform rich with possibilities and meaningful connections. In 2022, Zupee will continue to develop new forms of purposeful entertainment that can engage, empower and entertain the users.
Dilsher Singh, Founder & CEO, Zupee said, “Zupee has always been a behavioural science, human motivation & culture first start-up, bringing the best of India’s engineering talent, creativity & storytelling abilities under one roof, pushing the boundaries of innovation, with user centric design and a tech-for-good approach. Jio is the perfect partner for this journey as we look to penetrate the remotest areas of India all the way to the most disadvantaged people to bring them into the fold. This resonates firmly with our idea of the internet of the future which would be open, permissionless, decentralized & limitless. Indian smartphone exports are expected to increase from USD 3.6 bn in 2020-21 to USD 55 bn in 2025-26 which is a 15x growth. As a home-grown start-up, we want to put Indian products and games on all those devices that can take the India story to the world. We will do this while continuing to make games that entertain and put smiles on the faces of millions of people around the world.”
“The timing for this partnership could not be better as we are going to be focussing on innovations in Edge Computing, Decentralised Data Networks and Artificial Intelligence creating a truly global platform with the best that India has to offer. As we work towards building a robust feature rich platform, we never wish to lose sight of staying relevant and meaningful for the last mile and the underserved communities of the country. I remain equally bullish on enhancing the footprint of the Zupee Skilling Academy where we will be at the forefront of empowering the youth of our country for the future of work & jobs through our equal opportunity pillars and our collective efforts on deepening democracy,” he further added.
Zupee has many firsts to its credits and was recently named a soonicorn in the Hurun India Future Unicorn List 2021 with its founders highlighted as the youngest leaders in the category. They have previously been recognized in the Forbes Asia 30 Under 30 Consumer Tech category as well. The gaming start-up is known for taking time-tested, popular games and reengineering them for mobile devices by making them competitive, engaging and entertaining. The user-centric, language-agnostic approach has meant that the games are popular with people across geographies and demographics.
Also Read: Acer launches new gaming laptops with latest CPUs, GPUs
Acer announced refreshes across its lines of Predator and Nitro gaming laptops, starting off the year with new models of the Predator Triton 500 SE, Predator Helios 300 and Acer Nitro 5.
All of the laptops feature the latest 12th Gen Intel Core processors and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 30 Series Laptop GPUs, while the Acer Nitro 5 also includes AMD Ryzen 6000 series processor options. They also come with one month of Xbox Game Pass, giving gamers day-one access to popular titles and the ability to play with friends, whether they’re on PC or console.
“Our most popular gaming laptops have been updated with the latest silicon announced at CES,” said James Lin, General Manager, Notebooks, IT Products Business, Acer Inc. “Combine that with state-of-the-art cooling technology and high-refresh rate displays and you get exciting laptops that even the most demanding of players will love.”
“With a new performance hybrid architecture in addition to industry leading I/O, memory and connectivity support, 12th Gen Intel Core H-series processors deliver the blazing fast performance and platform capabilities that today’s gamers demand,” said Jerry Tsao, VP of Enthusiast Laptops at Intel. “The new Acer lineup of gaming notebooks with 12th Gen Intel Core feature incredible designs that gamers of all levels will be excited to play on.”
Predator Triton 500 SE — Thin Gaming Laptop
The Predator Triton 500 SE (PT516-52s) is a “special edition” laptop for gaming and work. On the inside, up to a 12th Gen Intel Core i9 processor, an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti Laptop GPU and 32 GB of 5200 MHz LPDDR5 memory dish out the extreme performance necessary for the latest games. On the outside, its all-metal spartan-styled aesthetics let it blend perfectly into the workplace or lecture hall. Just 19.9 mm (0.75 in) at its thinnest point, the laptop can go wherever users do, while up to 2TB of high-speed PCIe Gen4 storage offers plenty of space for games and files.
Backing up this powerful hardware is state-of-the-art cooling technology. The laptop utilizes a triple-fan system, including two 5th Gen AeroBlade 3D fans with 89 metal blades each. Acer’s Vortex Flow technology redirects the airflow those fans generate to critical components, while strategically-placed thermal foam, liquid-metal thermal grease on the CPU, and four heat pipes further improve cooling. Performance boost aside, this means that users won’t be feeling the heat while making the most of the long battery life granted by the laptop’s large 99.98 Wh battery.
Content looks great on the Triton 500 SE’s 16-inch display. Gamers will appreciate the industry-leading WQXGA (2560×1600) panel’s 240Hz[2] refresh rate and 3 ms response time, topped off with support from the frame-syncing power of NVIDIA G-SYNC technology. Content creators will appreciate 500 nits of brightness, 100 percent coverage of the DCI-P3 color gamut, and a productivity-boosting 16:10 aspect ratio—plus an SD 7.0 card reader for offloading content.
The laptop runs Windows 11 out of the box and also features a full range of USB 3.2 Gen2 ports, including two Thunderbolt 4 Type-C ports with support for DisplayPort and power delivery, while an HDMI 2.1 port makes 4K@120 Hz possible by allowing users to plug into an external display. Topping everything off, an Intel Killer E3100G 2.5G Ethernet Controller, Intel Killer Wi-Fi 6E 1675 and Control Center 2.0 empower users with blazing fast connectivity.
Predator Helios 300 — All About Performance
The Predator Helios 300 (PH315-55) is a powerful gaming laptop equipped with a host of top-tier hardware: Up to a 12th Gen Intel Core i7 processor, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Laptop GPU or NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti Laptop GPU, 32 GB of DDR5-4800 MHz memory and up to 2 TB of PCIe Gen4 SSD RAID 0 storage. This hardware muscle powers up to a 15.6-inch QHD (2560 x 1440) IPS display with a 165 Hz refresh rate—and with a revamped, cleaner chassis, the outside of the laptop looks great, too. A thin light bar below the palm rest (configurable via PredatorSense) lets the device retain its gamer aesthetic in a slightly more subtle fashion.
A dual-fan layout that includes one 5th Gen AeroBlade 3D fan helps the keep the system running cool, further supported by liquid metal thermal grease and Acer’s CoolBoost technology. A single press of the built-in PredatorSense button offers users control over the fan speed via four preset operating modes, while a single press of the built-in Turbo key instantly maxes out these settings for improved gaming performance. Upping the cool factor, the laptop’s mini-LED backlit keyboard features per-key RGB.
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Running Windows 11, the laptop comes with Killer DoubleShot Pro (E2600+1675i) and WiFi 6E connectivity in addition to a healthy range of ports, including an HDMI 2.1 for connecting to external monitors or consoles, a Thunderbolt Type-C port, and two USB 3.2 Gen2 ports, one of which allows users to charge a mobile device even if the laptop is turned off.
A 17.3-inch model (PH317-56) with an IPS panel (QHD 165 Hz or FHD 165 Hz / 144 Hz) is also available.
Acer Nitro 5 — Plentiful Configuration Options
The Acer Nitro 5 is a gaming laptop that gives players everything they need to explore and enjoy the latest titles, featuring up to a 12th Gen Intel Core i7 (AN515-58) and up to an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti GPU. A pair of M.2 SSD slots (PCIe Gen 4) offer massive storage, while up to 32 GB of DDR4 3200 RAM offers players plenty of breathing room to handle multiple applications at once. Combined with a QHD 165 Hz panel that has a 3 ms response time, the Nitro 5 delivers pleasantly fluid gameplay. For further control, Killer Ethernet E2600 and Intel Killer Wi-Fi 6 AX1650i lets players make their network prioritize game traffic for even faster connectivity when every second counts.
The Acer Nitro 5 can also be equipped with up to an AMD Ryzen 6000 Series processor (AN515-46) and up to an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti Laptop GPU, plus up to 32 GB of the latest-generation DDR5 4800 MHz RAM. This generation of the Nitro 5 comes with two options, an FHD 144 Hz panel or a 165 Hz QHD Panel, both taking advantage of AMD FreeSync technology to offer smooth gameplay without screen tearing. Storage-wise, the AMD processor-powered Nitro 5 features two M.2 PCIe Gen 4 SSD slots (PCIe Gen4 x1, PCIe Gen3 x1).
It also comes with Windows 11 and a redesigned chassis that features dual-fan cooling, an intake on both the chassis’ top and bottom, and four exhaust ports. Users needing more or less cooling power can control fan speeds with the NitroSense utility app, a built-in software solution that also enables users to overclock their CPU/GPU and customize the 4-zone RGB keyboard’s lighting.
Completing the gameplay experience, DTS:X Ultra audio deepens their immersion by delivering clear sounds that can be delivered in a 3D spatial soundscape. This technology also translates into a competitive edge, enabling players to hear exactly where an opponent is coming from. Users wanting to play with headphones and other peripherals will enjoy the Nitro 5’s full range of ports, including HDMI 2.1 and support for both USB 3.2 Gen 1 and Gen 2. The Intel-powered model also includes a Thunderbolt 4 Type-C port. The AMD-powered model includes USB 4.
A pair of 17.3-inch models (AN517-55, AN517-42) with an IPS panel (QHD/FHD 165 Hz, FHD 144 Hz) are also available.
Pricing and Availability
The Predator Triton 500 SE (PT516-52s) will be available in North America in March, starting at USD 2,299.99; in EMEA in February, starting at EUR 3,499; and in China in February, starting at RMB 24,999.
The 15.6-inch Predator Helios 300 (PH315-55) will be available in North America in May, starting at USD 1,649.99; in EMEA in February, starting at EUR 2,299; and in China in February, starting at RMB 11,999.
The 17.3-inch Predator Helios 300 (PH317-56) will be available in North America in March, starting at USD 1,749.99; in EMEA in February, starting at EUR 2,399; and in China in February, starting at RMB 11,999.
The Acer Nitro 5 [Intel processor, 15.6-inch] (AN515-58) will be available in North America in March, starting at USD 1,049.99; in EMEA in February, starting at EUR 1,549; and in China in February, starting at RMB 9,499.
The Acer Nitro 5 [AMD processor, 15.6-inch] (AN515-46) will be available in North America in April, starting at USD 1,099.99; in EMEA in April, starting at EUR 1,599; and in China in March, starting at RMB 8,999.
The Acer Nitro 5 [Intel processor, 17.3-inch] (AN517-55) will be available in North America in April, starting at USD 1,099.99; in EMEA in March, starting at EUR 1,649; and in China in February, starting at RMB 9,499.
The Acer Nitro 5 [AMD processor, 17.3-inch] (AN517-42) will be available in North America in May, starting at USD 1,149.99; in EMEA in April, starting at EUR 1,699; and in China in March, starting at RMB 8,999.
Also Read: World Esports Cup: Total Gaming, TSM and Chemin Esports among 12 top Indian teams to battle for global finals spot
As the World Esports Cup (WEC ’21) gears up for the next level of excitement and thrilling action, Total Gaming and Team SoloMid (TSM FTX) alongside 10 other Indian teams progressed into the next stage as they will fight for a place in the global finals at South East Asia’s premier tri-nation esports tournament.
Arrow Esports, Blackflag Army, Aura Gaming, Stone Crushers, Desi gamers, TG Tycoon, Chemin Esports, Helping Gamers, Orangutan and UG Empire are the other teams who will compete in the India finals.
Ajay Sharma-led five-member Team Total Gaming, comprising of top gamers like Hora Vetkumar, Narai Yadav, Daksh Garg, and Rohit Sarraf (sub), will be eager to make their mark in the upgoing national qualifying stage, scheduled on Thursday and Friday, alongside the country’s other top teams, including Team SoloMid, which is consist of players like Naitik Khoshto, Sagar Patel, Jayesh Yadav, Koushik Malik, and Rudvait Khairnar, and Team Desi Gamers Esports with gamers like Ashwani Yadav, Karanjot Mehta, Alexis Arthur, Tarendra Sahu, Harsh Singh, and Kshitij Kumar Shrivastava.
Top four teams from the India finals will join teams from Pakistan and Nepal in the 12-team global finals. Team Hotshot, The Guardians, Five mutants and Legend Style ES have qualified for the global finals from Pakistan while 2b Gamer, Tonde Gamer, Dada Gang and KM Brotherhood will represent Nepal in the global finals. Owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, the tournament has been played virtually over a period of three months, where athletes are competing in one of the most popular battles royale games, Free Fire.
“There has been a great level of competition so far in the tournament which received an overwhelming response from all the three participating countries. As the tournament progresses, the next level of action will be unfolded in the presence of these top and renowned esports teams and athletes. This tournament is surely an indicator of the growing esports culture in this part of the world and we are committed to strengthening it further across the region. I congratulate each team as the competition is getting intense with every passing day and I wish each of them the best of luck for the next stage,” said Vishwalok Nath, Director, World Esports Cup.
After the India finals, representing their own country, four qualified teams each from India, Pakistan, and Nepal will fight for the WEC ’21 title at the global finals, scheduled from January 10 to January 14, 2022.
The inaugural edition of the WEC, which has smartphone maker Infinix as the title sponsor, also has a whopping prize pool of Rs 75 lakhs and the fans can watch the thrilling action live on ITG.gg, India Today, and AajTak websites. The matches will also be streamed live on India Today Gaming YouTube channel along with the YouTube and Facebook handles of India Today, and Aaj Tak.
