Over the final 15 years, this web site has gone via many transitions from names (e.g., WMExperts, Windows Phone Central) to important web site redesigns.
Today is one other a kind of days. Although weâre not altering the identify, fortunately, you might have observed this morning that the location has an all-new look. The structure aligns with different websites owned by Future PLC (our mother or father firm) and can also be extra optimized for internet and cell site visitors.
Of course, like several transition, there are bumps and points alongside the way in which through the migration course of. Weâre engaged on these fixes behind the scenes over the approaching weeks, together with fixing structure quirks (each on PC and cell).
To higher summarize in a tl:dr manner questions you might have concerning the redesign.
Why the location redesign?
In brief, the outdated web site (together with our backend editor) was getting too dated to maintain up with rising internet applied sciences. In addition, all websites owned by Future PLC are ultimately going to be on the identical system to make sure servicing and compatibility wants and make administration extra easy. Heck, we now also have a stay running a blog system for at any time when we begin doing stay occasions once more!
The new web site appears boring.
Weâre sorry youâre feeling that manner. Weâre hoping that the cleaner, extra streamlined look (together with quicker load instances, particularly on cell) will outweigh having a custom-designed web site and structure. We will proceed to push our overlords for extra customization and design decisions within the coming months.
Will there be a darkish mode?
Windows Central utilizing Dark Reader extension (Image credit score: Windows Central)
Unfortunately, no. This function is one thing the Windows Central employees desires, nevertheless it would not appear to be it can occur.Â
The excellent news is you should use a browser extension like Dark Reader or Night Eye to drive it (it appears terrific!). Our recommendation: If utilizing Dark Reader, below Site List, select to make use of âInvert Listed Only,â and add windowscentral.com so solely our web site runs in compelled darkish mode.
Good query! Weâre not eliminating feedback. In truth, weâre lastly switching over to the favored Disqus system after a few years of individuals asking for it. However, it can take a couple of extra weeks for it to be migrated over, however itâs a high precedence for the net staff, so sit tight! You can at all times argue with me on Twitter for those who like.
Do you might have a Discord we are able to use as a substitute?
The official Windows Central Discord Server. (Image credit score: Windows Central)
Yes! We have a really energetic Discord channel with over 2,000 members, with tons of on-line at any given time. Jump in and speak about Windows, Surface rumors, Xbox, and extra, together with all of the information right this moment.
Need extra? You also can be a part of our weekly stay podcast each Friday at 1:30 PM ET on our YouTube channel .
I hate the advertisements!
Yup, all of us do! Website advertisements are hardly ever pleasurable, and, sadly, our web site isnât any totally different for a lot of. While we attempt our greatest to stability the locationâs look with the necessity to pay our employees, it hardly ever works in a manner that satisfies everybody (it is also one thing we seldom have direct management over).
Of course, there are âsolutionsâ on the market, which we wonât brazenly endorse, however we additionally perceive the truth of the net right this moment and customersâ needs. If you do obscure our advertisements, we ask that you simply click on via our hyperlinks subsequent time you purchase a game or laptop computer, as that fee helps us offset the lack of advert income.
What occurred to the Android and Windows apps for the location?
Windows Central as a PWA in Edge whereas utilizing the free Dark Reader extension. (Image credit score: Windows Central)
Unfortunately, these apps are now not supported or working and have been pulled from their respective shops. Mobile apps devoted to web sites are simply not one thing en vogue anymore, and the prices of sustaining the apps (versus return) are laborious to justify. While we took quite a lot of satisfaction in our older apps (particularly the one for Windows Phone), it is time for us to maneuver on.
Of course, you might pin our âappâ to your Task Bar, Start, or desktop by putting in our web site as a PWA in both Android or Windows with Edge. Itâs a really comparable expertise and appears nice, too.
Wrap up
Hopefully, that solutions a few of your high questions concerning Windows Central. We respect you bearing with us as we undergo this course of, and weâre at all times listening to your suggestions. The staff has been laborious at work on this transition and has been below quite a lot of stress as we should be taught a completely new system, too, so thanks in your persistence!
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