Super Bowl Sunday is just around the corner, and whether you're watching the game or the commercials, you'll want to be ready for the party.
The Super Bowl is one of the most anticipated events of the year and in addition to making sure your TV is big enough to show off the action, there are some ways you can prepare for the game with Windows 10 and other Microsoft-related products.
We already have a list of the must-have apps for the NFL fan, so this roundup is built to help you get ready for the game and to get into the mood for football.
Must-have Windows 10 apps to watch the NFL
Get into the mood with Madden 18
Madden is the face of the NFL to many fans of the game from younger generations. The G.O.A.T. Super Bowl edition of the game is currently on sale for only $19.80. In addition to the game itself, the G.O.A.T. edition helps you build your dynasty by allowing you to start with one of five elite players, including an option for Tom Brady who is playing in the Super Bowl this Sunday, plus other content.
Playing Madden is a great way to warm up for the game over the weekend or while you're partying waiting for the game to kick off.
Sort your audio with Sonos
If you're hosting a big party for the Super Bowl, or just want a great audio experience for yourself, it's worth checking out a sound system for your TV. There are quite a few options when it comes to surround sound but Sonos is just plain easy to set up and expand into a whole-home audio system. You can build your family of speakers and connect your TV's audio to multiple speakers throughout your home. That way, you can hear when the game is back on or when the halftime show is over, or just starting if you don't wanna miss Justin Timberlake.
A great place to start is the Playbar or Playbase which can dramatically increase your TV's audio output and can be used as part of the Sonos ecosystem that you build over time.
Modern Dad's review of the Sonos Playbase, "don't overthink it!"
Sonos doesn't have an official app available on Windows 10, but there is a highly ranked and feature-filled third-party client called Phonos that works on Windows 10, Windows 10 Mobile, Xbox One, and HoloLens.
Get your grub on
It's not a Super Bowl party without food. Thankfully, Windows 10 has a number of great cooking apps. One app that stands out is Recipe Keeper Pro. You can easily add recipes from anywhere on the web and also has a handy shopping list that can help make sure you have enough food for all the frenzied fans at your house. Though if you're not cooking inclined like me you may opt for outsourcing the snacks.
Show your team spirit
Patriots head coach Bill Belichick might not like to use a Surface on the sideline (I almost cried watching him slam one into a corner) but plenty of NFL fans are fans of Microsoft's 2-in-1 tablets. You can show off your team spirit with Special Edition Type Covers for your Surface. They feature a fabric-like feel and a sporting layout featuring the logo of any of the NFL's 32 teams.
They're available for $159.99, the exact same price as the Type Cover Signature Edition.
Make sure you can see the game
Hopefully you've already sorted how you're going to watch the game, but if you're looking for a way to watch it on the go, or just need a backup plan in case something goes wrong, you can view this year's Super Bowl through the NBC Sports app or just visit NBCSports.com. The app itself is free but in order to view content you need to have a subscription to a cable or satellite service that includes NBCSN. The app's listing in the Microsoft Store has a full list.
The benefit of using the NBC Sports app is that you can view the game anywhere in the US where you have an internet connection. The app is available on Windows 10, Windows 10 Mobile, and Xbox One.
Touchdown!
Kickoff for Super Bowl LII is a at 6:30 p.m. ET on Sunday February 4th, so make sure to get out and prep for the big game. Let us know in the comments how you're getting ready for the event and who you think is going to win.