From the editor's desk: 12 Days sweepstakes, Microsofties in our forums and more

This last week of Windows Central has certainly been an interesting i. If you missed much of the news, or need a solid recap, brand certain to catch our ICYMI series that goes upwardly on Saturdays. Those articles tend to highlight all the big stories of the calendar week, letting yous catch upwardly on things if y'all missed a day.

Perhaps 2 of our biggest stories accept been the renewal of our Hidden Gems campaign and Microsoft engineers and developers lending a hand in our forums to talk all things Windows 10. For the first function, I'd similar to speedily chat virtually something that will exist controversial: the United states/Canada-only nature of the sweepstakes.

12 Days of Hidden Gems and The states/Canada sweepstakes

Over the side by side few weeks, Windows Central will exist doing a series of articles highlighting some apps, sometimes with some super cool connected hardware. Sponsored past Microsoft, the 12 Days of Subconscious Gems will be a run a risk for u.s.a. to focus on a few apps and games for Windows and Windows Phone, including 1 or two that not on the Shop. You can read the full announcement here.

Unfortunately, the sweepstakes this time effectually is but going to exist for those in the US and Canada. Another article coming upwardly tomorrow morning volition outline how you can participate in Hidden Gems sweepstakes, but I wanted to requite the early heads upwardly to our readers exterior of North America.

With a big company like Microsoft signing off on this (and footing the neb for the prizes), it ways we have to dot all the I'southward and cross all the T's and do everything as officially official as possible. And sweepstakes stuff is a complex matter! Due to the complexity of how these things piece of work and the relatively tight timing involved in bringing this all together so we tin can run it before the end of the year, this time around our prize winners must be from the U.s.a. and/or Canada.

Manifestly, our goal is to always give back to the customs as much as possible effectually the world, particularly as a meaning per centum of Windows Key'southward audition does come from outside of North America.

With that out of the fashion, I am just going to say this: feel gratis to gripe about in comments on this mail hither and now. But be aware, that such comments will likely be removed from the actual Hidden Gems posts considering they are off topic. Removal of off-topic comments is our usual policy hither, but we know you folks are a vibrant, vocal bunch and we are trying to go along a positive vibe in these parts. So you this mail to vent if yous feel that you lot must.

That said, simply because you may exist exterior of N America and can't win a prize in the sweepstakes, that doesn't mean you're not immune to participate in the 12 Days of Hidden Gems. I hope to run into all of our community involved – leaving quality comments to the Subconscious Gems manufactures and helping to spread word of the event socially. The greater the success we tin brand the event, the meliorate it is for Microsoft and for Windows Central. We're never too far away from our side by side giveaway here on Windows Central, so nosotros'll make sure the side by side ane goes global again. Thank you for your understanding and support!

Microsoft in our support forums

On Friday night, Windows Cardinal announced that numerous Microsoft engineers and developers are now in our forums. Their job is to facilitate discussion on Windows 10, including discussing features people desire, issues with current builds and in general, ways to brand the software – and services – better.

This motility is a big bargain for Microsoft and our site, as to our knowledge we are the merely site to have such a partnership in place. If you missed that announcement, including who to picket out for in our Forums, make sure you read the proclamation post with accompanying names of Microsoft employees.

Interestingly enough, this plan is already gear up to aggrandize in the coming days with even more Microsoft employees joining the initiative. More information on that is coming shortly.

More than of these and podcast render

I should also annotation that such manufactures equally these – the editor's desk posts – are likely to become a regular thing. Usually I effort to unplug on the weekends in an effort to prevent burnout (and maintain a individual life), merely alas fifty-fifty I have orders and obligations. Every bit such, I now have to do these types of articles on Fri, Sunday or Monday, often matching those on Android Central and iMore.

And aye, that actually is my desk in the lead photo, so long as I am being literal here.

Of course, such articles are a great mode for me to bluster a footling about the week'south news, or talk about items that are not necessarily suitable for a stand-alone article. Maybe we will even piece of work into some 'Q&A' stuff to make it fun. In addition, your feedback is e'er encouraged in comments.

Speaking of obligations, information technology has come to my attention that nosotros accept not done a podcast in a very, very, very long time. Reasons for absence bridge from fourth dimension constraints, time zones, and perchance the biggest one, finding fourth dimension to produce them (including the garbage system that is Google Hangouts and YouTube). As a New year's day's resolution, I vow to go this back on track in 2022, but as presently every bit we work out a few logistic issues.

Anyway, that is it for now as I try to enjoy a few more than hours of these very short weekend. Marking Guim and I shot a few videos yesterday, some of which you can see in the coming days. Stay tuned.