Microsoft TechRewards Continuum App Competition 2016

  • 18 minutes to read

OFFICIAL RULES

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY.

PLEASE NOTE: It is your sole responsibility to comply with your employer’s gift policies. If your participation violates your employer’s policies, you may be disqualified. Microsoft disclaims any and all liability and will not be party to any disputes or actions related to this matter.

GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES: Microsoft is committed to complying with government gift and ethics rules and therefore government employees are not eligible.

COMPETITION OVERVIEW:

This competition consists of multiple Sweepstakes (random drawings) as well as a skill-based Contest. The objective of this competition is to showcase Continuum on Windows - a technology for developing innovative and cool apps. Entrants will be offered a specific set of challenges, each with unique entry requirements and deadlines. All eligible entries will be reviewed and then randomly selected or judged using the criteria described below to determine the winners.

COMMON TERMS USED IN THESE RULES:

These are the official rules that govern how the Microsoft TechRewards Continuum App Competition will operate. This promotion will be simply referred to as the “Competition” throughout the rest of these rules. In these rules, “we,” “our,” and “us” refer to Microsoft Corporation, the sponsor of the Competition. “You” refers to an eligible Competition entrant.

WHAT ARE THE START AND END DATES?

This Competition starts at 12:01 a.m. Pacific Time (PT) on March 23, 2016, and ends at 11:59 p.m. PT on June 30, 2016 and will consist of unique start/end dates for each challenge as follows:

  • Challenge #1 begins at 12:01 a.m. Pacific Time (PT) on March 23, 2016 and ends at 11:59 p.m. PT on April 12, 2016.
  • Challenge #2 begins at 12:01 a.m. Pacific Time (PT) on March 25, 2016 and ends at 11:59 p.m. PT on April 12, 2016.
  • Challenge #3 begins at 12:01 a.m. Pacific Time (PT) on April 14, 2015 and ends at 11:59 p.m. PT on May 12, 2016.
  • Challenge #4 begins at 12:01 a.m. Pacific Time (PT) on May 11, 2016 and ends at 11:59 p.m. PT on June 3, 2016.
  • Challenge #5 begins at 12:01 a.m. Pacific Time (PT) on June 28, 2016 and ends at 11:59 p.m. PT on June 30, 2016.

Entries will be eligible only for the challenge in which they are received and will not carryover to subsequent challenges. Challenge begin and end dates are subject to change.

CAN I ENTER?

You are eligible to enter this Competition if you meet the following requirements at time of entry:

  • You are 18 years of age or older and have a registered Windows Insider (you may create one athttps://insider.windows.com/) and TechRewards account (you may create one for free at http://rewards.tech) and
    • If you are 18 of age or older, but are considered a minor in your place of residence, you should ask your parent’s or legal guardian’s permission prior to submitting an entry into this Competition; and
  • You are NOT a resident of any of the following countries: Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan, and Syria.
    • PLEASE NOTE: U.S. export regulations prohibit the export of goods and services to Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan and Syria. Therefore, residents of these countries / regions are not eligible to participate.
  • You are NOT an employee of Microsoft Corporation, or an employee of a Microsoft subsidiary.
  • You are NOT an immediate family (parent, sibling, spouse/domestic partner, child) or household member of a Microsoft employee, an employee of a Microsoft subsidiary, any person involved in any part of the administration and execution of this promotion.

This Competition is void outside of the geographic area described above and wherever else prohibited by law.

HOW DO I ENTER?

This competition consists of 5 challenges. You may enter any or all of the challenges. To enter, you must do all of the following:

Challenge #1:

Step 1: Visit the website for the challenge and click on the link to the Continuum video.

Step 2: After watching the video, return to the challenge page and indicate you have watched it.

For completing this, you will receive a Windows Insider Badge and 500 experience points (XP), and one (1) entry into the corresponding random drawing. Limit one (1) entry per person for this challenge.

Challenge #2:

Step 1: Visit the website for the challenge and click on the link to submit your idea for a compelling app that leverages and showcases Continuum for Windows.

Step 3: Complete the form providing your MSA email address, a title for your submission and a description of the app. An image depicting the app idea may be submitted on this form, but is not required.

For completing this, you will receive one (1) entry into the corresponding random drawing. Limit one (1) entry per person for this challenge.

Note: By submitting your idea as part of the Competition, you understand that any third party may use the idea that you submit for any purpose whatsoever, including using it in an app that may qualify for a prize in this Competition, or in any other way, commercial or otherwise. You agree that you will have no claim against any such third party. In addition, you release Microsoft and its affiliates from any and all liability in connection with any claims resulting from the idea that you choose to submit in connection with the Competition.

Challenge #3:

Step 1: Create a UI design for a compelling app that leverages and showcases Continuum for Windows. You may use any of the app ideas submitted in Challenge #2 or a new idea of your own.

Step 2: Submit the UI design using the link on the challenge page.

For completing this, you will receive one (1) entry into the corresponding contest. While you may submit multiple entries into this contest, each entry must be substantially unique and different.

Note: By submitting your UI design as part of the Competition, you understand that any third party may use the UI design that you submit for any purpose whatsoever, including using it in an app that may qualify for a prize in this Competition, or in any other way, commercial or otherwise. You agree that you will have no claim against any such third party. In addition, you release Microsoft and its affiliates from any and all liability in connection with any claims resulting from the UI design that you choose to submit in connection with the Competition.

Challenge #4

Step 1: Publish and enter your new UWP app to the Windows Store or update your existing UWP app with new elements for Continuum, following all Windows Store guidelines – including executing an Application Developer Agreement.

Additionally, to qualify for this challenge your app must include the following to be approved:

  1.  Follow the Universal Windows Platform (UWP) design guidelines here and guidelines for fonts here
  2.  Must support ALL Windows Mobile screen resolutions
  3.  Must be published in the Windows Store
  4.  A feedback mechanism for your users, such as your contact information (via email and/or website) within your app
  5.  Must include English language localization and be available in the U.S. Windows Store
  6.  All paid apps must include a trial option for validation purposes
  7.  Include a "Description" in the Windows Store including:

    • Name of the app

    • Complete written description of the app

    • Specific features that make it stand out from the crowd

    • The app's version number, including details about the latest updates/features

    • A minimum of four compelling screenshots that fully represent your app along with its benefits & features

For this Challenge, we will not accept:

  1. Static apps
  2. Apps that include copyrighted material
  3. Apps with only 1 or 2 screens
  4. Apps that only provide information about or advertise for a business, individual, or website

Step 2: Once you have published your app, come back to the challenge page, submit your App Name and App ID in the "Comments" section and click Participate. All submissions that do not include the right App ID will be rejected.

For completing this, you will receive one (1) entry into the corresponding contest. Limit one (1) entry per person for this challenge.

NOTE: Apps submitted to this Challenge must be published to the Windows Store BEFORE the Challenge’s end date. Please remember to allow time for your app to be published in the Windows Store. You are responsible for ensuring that your app is submitted on time as there will be no time extension to this Challenge. Apps submitted to this Challenge must be your original work and/or used under an appropriate license. If you incorporate other software to create your apps or games, you must comply with the terms and conditions applying to the use of that other software.

By completing all of these steps, you will receive one (1) entry into the corresponding contest. Limit one (1) entry per person.

We are not responsible for entries that we do not receive for any reason, or for entries that we receive but are not decipherable for any reason.

We will automatically disqualify:

  • Any incomplete or illegible entry; and
  • Any entry in violation of TechRewards Terms and Conditions

Challenge #5 (for finalists only)

Step 1: If you are selected as a finalist, you will be flown to Microsoft headquarters. There you will participate in workshops that will help optimize the app you submitted in Challenge #4.

Step 2: At the end of your experience at Microsoft, you will have the opportunity to pitch your app to a panel of judges. You will have 10 minutes to present your app and explain its commercial viability to the judges. You should plan on demonstrating the live app and may also use a PowerPoint presentation.

WHAT CONSTITUTES AN ELIGIBLE ENTRY?

To be eligible, all entries must meet the following content / technical requirements:

  • Your entry must be your own original work and/or used under an appropriate license
  • Your entry cannot have been selected as a winner in any other contest or sweepstakes
  • You must have obtained any and all consents, approvals, or licenses required for you to submit your entry
  • your entry may not include any third party trademarks (logos, names) or copyrighted materials (music, images, video, recognizable people) unless you have obtained permission to use the materials for this purpose. You may include Microsoft trademarks, logos, and designs, for which Microsoft grants you a limited license to use for the sole purposes of submitting an entry into this Contest.

Entries may NOT contain, as determined by us, in our sole and absolute discretion, any content that:

  • is sexually explicit, unnecessarily violent or derogatory of any ethnic, racial, gender, religious, professional or age group; profane or pornographic;
  • promotes alcohol, illegal drugs, tobacco, firearms/weapons (or the use of any of the foregoing) or a particular political agenda;
  • is obscene or offensive;
  • defames, misrepresents or contains disparaging remarks about other people or companies;
  • communicates messages or images inconsistent with the positive images and/or good will to which we wish to associate; and/or violates any law;

We reserve the right to reject any entry, in our sole and absolute discretion, that we determine does not meet the above criteria.

HOW WILL MY ENTRY BE POTENTIALLY USED?

Other than what is set forth below, we are not claiming any ownership rights to your entry. However, by submitting your entry, you:

  • are granting us an irrevocable, royalty-free, worldwide right and license to: (i) use, review, assess, test and otherwise analyze your entry and all its content in connection with this Contest; and (ii) feature your entry and all content in connection with the marketing, sale, or promotion of this Contest, Windows, or Windows Mobile products (including but not limited to internal and external sales meetings, social media properties, conference presentations, tradeshows, and informational websites in all media, now known or later developed);
  • agree to sign any necessary documentation that may be required for us and our designees to make use of the rights you granted above;
  • understand and acknowledge that the we may have developed or commissioned materials similar or identical to your submission and you waive any claims you may have resulting from any similarities to your entry;
  • understand that we cannot control the incoming information you will disclose to our representatives in the course of entering the Competition, or what our representatives will remember about your entry. You also understand that we will not restrict work assignments of representatives who have had access to your entry. By entering this Competition, you agree that use of information in our representatives’ unaided memories in the development or deployment of our products or services does not create liability for us under this agreement or copyright or trade secret law;
  • understand that you will not receive any compensation or credit for use of your entry, other than what is described in these Official Rules

Please note that following the end of this Contest your entry may be posted on a website selected by us for viewing by visitors to that website. We are not responsible for any unauthorized use of your entry by visitors to this website. While we reserve these rights, we are not obligated to use your entry for any purpose, even if it has been selected as a winning entry.

If you do not want to grant us these rights to your entry, please do not enter this Competition.

WINNER SELECTION AND PRIZES

Challenge #1

On or around the close of the Entry Period, each qualifying participant will receive 500 experience points (XP) to your TechRewards account and a badge. The total Approximate Retail Value (ARV) of all prizes: $0.00.

Challenge #2

On or around the close of the Entry Period, we will randomly select a single winner, who will receive a Microsoft Surface Pro 4. Approximate Retail Value (ARV) $1,000.00.

Challenge #3

On or around the close of the Entry Period, a single winner be selected by a panel of Microsoft judges based upon the judging criteria below.

Challenge #3 Judging Criteria:

  • 20% Design Creativity
  • 20% Professional design quality
  • 20% An assessment of the User Experience
  • 40% Clear presentation of Continuum functionality

The winner will receive a Microsoft Surface Pro 4. Approximate Retail Value (ARV) $1,000.00.

Challenge #4

On or around the close of the Entry Period, a panel of Microsoft judges will select ten (10) finalists based upon the judging criteria below, who will receive, of the prizes designated below.

Challenge #4 Judging Criteria:

  • 20% User Experience
  • 20% App Quality
  • 20% Meets a clearly defined need
  • 40% Clear presentation of Continuum functionality

Each finalist will receive a Lumia 950 and a hosted visit to Microsoft headquarters, where workshops will be conducted to help improve and optimize the finalists’ apps. Reasonable travel costs, including but not limited to airfare, hotel, meals, and transportation will be covered by Microsoft. The total Approximate Retail Value (ARV): $2,490.

A trip for one to Redmond, Washington to event {event name} on June 28, 2016 – June 30, 2016 (the “Trip”) includes:

  • Round trip coach airfare from major airport closest to winners’ home.
    • Any travel companion will be responsible for their own costs associated with the Trip.
    • If the trip winner chooses to bring a travel companion, the travel companion will be required to execute a Liability/Publicity Release prior to issuance of travel documents.
    • Winner and any guests are responsible for providing all required travel documents, including, but not limited to required Visa, passport etc.
    • If winner lives within 100 miles of travel destination, Sponsor reserves the right to provide alternative transportation.
  • Four (4) nights standard hotel accommodations
  • Transfers to/from Airport/Hotel
  • Three (3) days of Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
  • Three (3) days of shared shuttle service
  • A $200 travel allowance

Actual value depends on date/time/destination, and difference between actual value and stated value will not be awarded. Travel subject to availability and must be completed on dates specified by us or the prize will be forfeited and awarded to an alternate winner. Some restrictions may apply. Winner and any guests must travel on same itinerary. No cancellation of reservation or transfer of reservation to another date allowed after reservation has been made.]

Challenge #5

On or around the close of the Entry Period, a panel of Microsoft judges will select a single Grand Prize Winner based upon the judging criteria below, of the prizes designated below.

Challenge #5 Judging Criteria:

  • 15% Professionalism of the pitch
  • 15% Effective demonstration of app, showing how it clearly meets a defined need
  • 20% App Quality
  • 50% Judges assessment of the apps market viability

The grand prize winner will receive a Microsoft Surface Book, an MSDN subscription, an Office365 subscription, and in app-advertising credit in the form of coupons. The developer will get a unique code, which they can use in DevCenter to create an ad campaign for any of their apps (campaign budget will get set to the coupon value). The total Approximate Retail Value (ARV): $5,050.00.

If you are a potential winner, we will notify you by sending a message to the e-mail address provided in your TechRewards profile within seven (7) days of the Challenge end date. If the notification that we send is returned as undeliverable, or you are otherwise unreachable for any reason, we may award the prize to an alternate winner. To claim the prizes, the recipient must respond within 48 hours from initial contact. If there is a dispute as to who is the potential winner, we will consider the potential winner to be the authorized account holder of the e-mail address used to enter the Competition. If you are a potential winner, we may require you to sign an Affidavit of Eligibility, Liability/Publicity Release and a W-9 tax form or W-8 BEN tax form within 10 days of notification. If you complete a tax form, you will be issued an IRS Form 1099 the following January, for the actual value of the prize. You are advised to seek independent counsel regarding the tax implications of accepting a prize. If you are a potential winner and you are 18 or older, but are considered a minor in your place of legal residence, we may require your parent or legal guardian to sign all required forms on your behalf. If you do not complete the required forms as instructed and/or return the required forms within the time period listed on the winner notification message, we may disqualify you and select an alternate, randomly selected winner or the next highest score based upon the judging criteria.

If you are confirmed as a winner of this Competition:

  • You may not exchange your prize for cash or any other merchandise or services. However, if for any reason an advertised prize is unavailable, we reserve the right to substitute a prize of equal or greater value; and
  • You may not designate someone else as the winner. If you are unable or unwilling to accept your prize, we will award it to an alternate potential winner; and
  • If you accept a prize, you will be solely responsible for all applicable federal, state, and local taxes related to accepting the prize; and
  • If you are otherwise eligible for this Competition, but are considered a minor in your place of residence, we may award the prize to your parent/legal guardian on your behalf; and
  • Unless otherwise noted, all prizes are subject to their manufacturer’s warranty and / or terms and conditions.

WHAT ARE YOUR ODDS OF WINNING?

Your odds of winning this Competition depend on the number of eligible entries we receive.

WHAT OTHER CONDITIONS ARE YOU AGREEING TO BY ENTERING THIS COMPETITION?

By entering this Competition you agree:

  • To abide by these Official Rules; and
  • To release and hold harmless Microsoft, and its respective parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, employees and agents from any and all liability or any injury, loss or damage of any kind arising from or in connection with this Competition or any prize won; and
  • That Microsoft’s decisions will be final and binding on all matters related to this Competition; and
  • That by accepting a prize, Microsoft may use your proper name and state of residence online and in print, or in any other media, in connection with this Competition, without payment or compensation to you, except where prohibited by law.

WHAT LAWS GOVERN THE WAY THIS COMPETITION IS EXECUTED AND ADMINISTRATED?

This Competition will be governed by the laws of the State of Washington, and you consent to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of the courts of the State of Washington for any disputes arising out of this Competition.

WHAT IF SOMETHING UNEXPECTED HAPPENS AND THE COMPETITION CAN’T RUN AS PLANNED?

If someone cheats, or there’s a virus, bug, bot, catastrophic event, or any other unforeseen or unexpected event that cannot be reasonably anticipated or controlled (also referred to as force majeure) that affects the fairness and / or integrity of this Competition, we reserve the right to cancel, change or suspend this Competition. This right is reserved whether the event is due to human or technical error. If a solution cannot be found to restore the integrity of the Competition, we reserve the right to select winners from among all eligible entries received before we had to cancel, change or suspend the Competition. If you attempt or we have strong reason to believe that you have compromised the integrity or the legitimate operation of this Competition by cheating, hacking, creating a bot or other automated program, or by committing fraud in ANY way, we may seek damages from you to the fullest extent permitted by law. Further, we may disqualify you, and ban you from participating in any of our future Competitions, so please play fairly.

HOW CAN YOU FIND OUT WHO WON?

We will make an announcement of the winner through Twitter (@MSDev) and will contact the winner directly through the email provided during redemption.

WHO IS SPONSORING THIS COMPETITION?

Microsoft Corporation

One Microsoft Way

Redmond, WA 98052