Microsoft will be launching its second-generation of surface hardware soon. To celebrate, the company has been running sweepstakes on Facebook. We've somehow managed to miss this opportunity for you all to win some cool prizes. You'll need to hurry up and get involved as there are only three days left. As well as the sweepstakes, there's an Ultimate Surface Fan contest!
The upcoming sweepstake days are as follows:
- Saturday, October 19, 2013
- Sunday, October 20, 2013
- Monday, October 21, 2013
How do you enter? It's simple. On the days above, head on over to www.newsurfacecountdown.com (redirects to a Facebook page - linked below) and login with your Facebook account. You'll then be shown a calendar with a tile flashing. Click this tile to see the prize giveaway that day and be automatically entered. You'll then be contacted within 24 hours if you've won. See? Simple.
Are there any requirements? Sure, you have to be over the age of 18. Also, residents of Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan, and Syria are not eligible to enter. Read the terms and conditions (.PDF) for more details and what prizes are included in the sweepstakes.
The Ultimate Surface Fan contest
Are you the "Ultimate Surface Fan"? Prove it by entering in a contest. Found on the same Facebook page as the above sweepstakes, you'll be able to enter yourself to potentially win a Surface Pro 2, Docking Station, Arc Touch Mouse and Type Cover 2. How awesome is that? All you have to do is explain in your own words why you're the ultimate Surface fan.
Do you love the kickstand? Has it survived numerous drops? Do you simply lay awake at night reading through weird Reddit posts? Touch on subjects including what Surface means to you, how you use the tablet and why you'd buy another to really be in with a chance of winning. Good luck!
Source: Facebook

ID@Azure is a new program for indie cloud development, based on ID@Xbox
Microsoft is spinning up a new program aimed at introducing independent devs and teams to Azure cloud-based services and infrastructure, according to this new job listing.

Microsoft is testing 1080p xCloud streams for Xbox Game Pass gaming
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is currently limited to 720p for streaming to mobile devices, but we've seen evidence that it's about to get bumped up to 1080p. Here's what you need to know.

Here are 10 Xbox games that need 'FPS Boost'
FPS Boost is another impressive feature currently available in the Xbox backwards compatibility utility belt. Here are 10 games we want to see take advantage of enhanced framerates.

Expand your Xbox storage with one of these spectacular SSDs
Chances are you're going to run out of space on your Xbox One. These five leading SSDs pull the best out of your Xbox One.