Microsoft wants you to gear up for Windows 8.1 release

The folks at Redmond want you to mark your calendars for the worldwide release of Windows 8.1. Windows 8 users will be receiving it as a free update through the Windows Store on October 17 and the retail release is set for the next day, October 18—just a few days shy of the one-year anniversary of the operating system (October 26).

Microsoft promises new features and the return of the Start button with the OS update. Supposedly, it’ll have better integration between the desktop and Start screen to minimize the jarring effect of the two interfaces. They have also improved Internet Explorer 11, cloud connectivity with SkyDrive, search capabilities, and Windows Store experience, among others.

3M Canada opens Instagram account

Want to know what life would be like without 3M? 3M Canada opened its Instagram channel with a series of Instagram videos that show what life without 3M innovations. 

“3M really is Canada’s problem solving company, developing innovative products every day inspired by the challenges faced by our customers. In fact, on average, Canadians encounter a 3M product every half hour each day—we’re inside so many of the things each of us rely on day in and day out—and we wanted to demonstrate this in a way that resonates with our target,” said Erin Craven-Patrick, who leads branding at 3M Canada.

HTC's new commercial with Robert Downey Jr. leaks online, and it's awesome

When news broke that HTC had signed RDJ on as their new spokesperson, I was elated. The man is a genius and one of the best character actors of our time. And with the official unveiling of their new joint campaign tomorrow, a leaked version of the first commercial found its way online and is absolutely hilarious. HTC "execs" and RDJ talk about a new direction and meaning of the HTC brand, boldly stating "It's anything you want it to be". They go on to talk about all the meanings that could work for the acronym, with a strong focus on "Heres to Change".

The quality isn't the greatest, but you can still watch it below:

Via YouTube

YouTube makes a Windows Phone comeback

After Google demanded Microsoft to take down their YouTube app due to the lack of ads, YouTube has finally returned to the Windows Phone platform—with ads included.

The updated version, which had Microsoft and Google working together, now also features video upload support, the ability to stream live video channels, voice search and activation, as well as access to playlists, uploads, video lists, and the ability to manage a YouTube account’s profile page. Windows Phone users will be able to pin Live Tiles of videos, channels, playlists, and search queries on the Start screen, too.

Source: The Verge

UPDATE (as of August 15, 2013):

Google seems to have disabled the YouTube app for Windows Phone yet again, citing that it still violates their Terms of Service.