(Update: the deadline to enter the contest has expired. Thanks for playing!)

This year, the prize is especially enticing: a 7-inch Kindle Fire HDX tablet.

We’re talking a svelte, 12.2-ounce tablet with a razor-sharp display, Dolby sound, a speedy 2.2 GHz processor, a front-facing camera, and “Mayday,” the handy new feature that lets you video chat with an Amazon support rep if you ever need help.

You’ll also be able to load all your Kindle books and Amazon Instant videos, as well as install thousands of apps.

Sound good? If so, just sign up for our daily tips newsletter by December 29, 2014 for a chance to win.

Click here for a chance to win!

Thanks again to all our readers, and I hope you and yours have a wonderful holiday.

Read the official contest rules…

The post Want a chance to win a 7-inch Kindle Fire HDX tablet? (update: contest over) appeared first on here's the thing.

Update [8/21/13]: Back at work, at last. Here’s a few more details on what happened.

Hello all! Just wanted to let you know that I’ll be taking a (much-needed) break this week. I’ll be back with more tech tips and tricks after the holiday.

Thanks again for reading, and have a wonderful July 4th.

See you next week!

The post Happy Fourth of July from “here’s the thing”; see you next week! appeared first on here's the thing.

Last year brought lots of changes to here’s the thing. We gave the site a total makeover, complete with easier-to-read fonts and a simplified design, and we launched a more polished daily newsletter.

We also joined the BlogHer publishing network (hope you like the new ads!) and most recently, we held our first giveaway—with one lucky reader in Indiana now the proud owner of a new iPad. And yes, we have lots of exciting plans for here’s the thing in the 2013!

Of course, there are many people to thank.

Thanks to Greg for our wonderful new site design, and to Colleen and David for their invaluable legal expertise and assistance.

Thanks to Caroline for the great guest articles (including the ever-popular “10 tacky things to avoid posting on Facebook”), and thanks to Adrianna for making our (soon to return) podcast sound so polished and professional.

Many thanks to Marc and Roger for helping us with our various server woes, and a big thanks to Sobia for fine-tuning the code that powers our site.

A huge thank-you to Susan, my partner in both business and life, for all the love, support and encouragement. (And let’s not forget Claire, the newest—and cutest!—member of our team, who had her nine-month birthday last week.)

Last but not least, many thanks to you, our readers.

I truly appreciate all your visits, emails, comments, and kind words. Without you, there is no here’s the thing, and your continued support means the world to me.

So here’s to 2012, and I wish you and yours a happy and prosperous 2013.

Happy New Year!
Ben

Note: We’ll be taking a brief break for the holiday, and will be back Wednesday, January 2, with more tech tips and how-tos.

The post Happy New Year (and thank you) from here’s the thing! appeared first on here's the thing.

1. Follow us on Facebook
Yep, here’s the thing is on Facebook—and indeed, we just converted our Facebook page to the new timeline format. Just click the big “Like” button on our Facebook page to see our latest posts in your news feed.

2. Follow me on Twitter
Even if you’re not big into tweeting, you can still follow my Twitter feed, where I post my most recent stories and answer tech questions from fellow Twitter users.

3. Subscribe via email
You can get a daily digest of our latest tips, how-tos, and reviews sent straight to your inbox; all we need is your email address (and yes, you can always unsubscribe if you wish).

4. Subscribe to our RSS feed
If you use Google Reader, Flipboard, My Yahoo!, or another RSS-friendly web service or app (“RSS” stands for “Really Simple Syndication,” by the way), you can subscribe to our RSS feed by clicking this link.

Have a tech question you’d like me to tackle? Send me an email!

The post 4 easy ways to follow <i>here’s the thing</i> appeared first on here's the thing.

Just to be clear, our articles—that is, our tips, how-tos, reviews and practical, friendly advice—aren’t changing one bit. All we’re doing is making our site easier for you to use.

Our new design is all finished, but we need a few hours today to push it live on the web. Starting in a few hours, we’ll be taking the site offline while we do the necessary behind-the-scenes work.

Update: And we’re back! Please take a look around and let us know what you think. We’re still working out the kinks, so if you find anything weird, do let us know.

The post Coming today to <i>here’s the thing</i>: change appeared first on here's the thing.

Also, just a quick note: I’ll be taking a brief break for the holiday, but I’ll be back Tuesday, January 3, with more tips, advice, how-tos and podcasts about the gadgets you use every day.

See you next year!

The post Happy New Year from <i>here’s the thing</i>! appeared first on here's the thing.

I wanted to take time out and wish you and your families all the best in this holiday season. I’m looking forward to an amazing 2012!

I also wanted to take a moment and thank everyone for your support, encouragement and (most importantly) enthusiasm for the launch of here’s the thing. I’ve appreciated each and every one of your visits, not to mention the tweets, “likes,” word of mouth, ideas, emails, user groups, and advice.

It’s hard to believe here’s the thing is just six months old. Since we started back in June 2011, we’ve published 500+ articles, launched a podcast, added a guest writer, answered hundreds of questions, filed an application for a key trademark (take that, Alec Baldwin), and launched our first major holiday gift guide. Best of all, we’ve developed a following—and our audience is steadily growing.

I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished, and we couldn’t have done it without you—seriously. Thank you.

So, what’s next for 2012? Look for a major redesign (to launch next month, fingers crossed), full coverage of the Consumer Electronics Show, live from Las Vegas (also next month), more podcasts, new and exciting videos—and, of course, more practical tips and advice about the gadgets you use every day.

Thank you again and Happy Holidays!

Cheers,
Ben Patterson, Founding Editor, here’s the thing

Note: We’ll be taking Monday, December 26 off, but we’ll return Tuesday for a light week of posting before New Year’s Day.

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I’ve pinned every product in our (growing) Holiday Gift Guide—ranging from an alarm clock that flies to a snazzy wristband that tracks your lifestyle habits—on a new Pinterest board, which you can visit right here.

For now, Pinterest is an “invite-only” site, although non-members can still view our here’s the thing holiday pocks. (Psst: I can also send you an invitation if you send me your email address.)

Enjoy—and if you have any questions, let me know!

The post Visit the <i>here’s the thing</i> Holiday Gift Guide on Pinterest appeared first on here's the thing.

The post 5 iPhone secrets you need to know (via Mom Central) appeared first on here's the thing.

Read Apple’s statement here, and my own thoughts about Steve Jobs here.

The post Steve Jobs, 1955-2011 appeared first on here's the thing.