Microsoft retiring Zune Marketplace on Aug. 22

Joining the impending demise of Microsoft Points, the Zune Marketplace is also going to be retired by August 22. Microsoft posted a FAQ on the Xbox site talking about the upcoming changes and encourages its users to use up their remaining points as there would be no use for them past the 22^nd. For future service, Microsoft wants users to turn to Xbox Music and Video.

HTC releases behind-the-scenes clip for RDJ’s commercial

We recently posted about Robert Downey Jr.’s commercial for HTC and now we get to see a bit of what’s happening behind the scenes with this new video from the Taiwanese brand—mechanical trolls and green screens included.

Source: HTC's YouTube channel

Skype will be pre-installed on Windows 8.1

While Skype won’t be consider bloatware by it supposedly over 300 million users, it’s still joining the ranks of what PC users usually call bloatware as it is going to come pre-installed with Microsoft’s Windows 8.1.

Other programs that are going to be front-and-center when you use the upcoming OS include Outlook.com, SkyDrive, Internet Explorer, Music, Games, Video, Bing Health & Fitness, Bing Food & Drink, Bing News, Bing Weather, Bing Travel, Bing Finance, Bing Sports, Mail, Calendar, People, Reading List, Camera, Photos, Maps, Alarms, Calculator, Reader, Sound Recorder, and Scan.

Source: Windows Experience Blog

Trailer released for Grand Theft Auto Online ahead of Oct. 1 debut

We get a look at what the new Grand Theft Auto Online game is all about with the new trailer released by GTA creator Rockstar Games. This new game is coming out on October 1—two weeks after GTA V is going to hit the market—and is said to be bringing a new kind of multiplayer gameplay to the GTA universe. GTA Online is going to feature a passive mode to help players get acquainted with the new game.