Hello @infovore
It's been a while, but welcome back.
And yes I concur with what you said, SteemMag was always complete.
In answer to the contest, I will be designing a magazine cover for Steem Mag and I will share it here tomorrow.
In answer to the second, there are new tools on steemit like mangosteem by @mynameisbrian. D tube by @heimindanger and also D Sound.
There is also a new contest by @progressivechef called Steemit Iron Chef you will like to check it. It is the most interesting contest on Steemit so far.