Sony's latest 4K panels boast powerful processors that improve the look of just about any video you throw onto the screen. But the chips inside these TVs don't stop at making movies look better: Like giant Pixel phones, the TVs will have Google's voice-controlled Assistant built into them. According to Sony, Google Assistant will be added to their new sets via a firmware update later this year. The sooner they can do it, the better. Tens of millions of people are expected to decide it's finally time to buy a 4K TV this year, and the deals are delicious at every point of the pricing spectrum. Variety abounds too, as the industry's big brands try to solve different pieces of the picture-quality puzzle.

The new year has arrived and it's going to be one big year for wearable tech. Evey year I look into my connected crystal ball and peek into the future to predict what might happen in the world of wearables. Here is how I think 2017 will shake down for the wearable world. The biggest buzzword of 2017 is AI, and it's set to be the saving grace of IoT and wearables. Deep learning is a massive missing piece when it comes to our connected world -- wearable tech included -- as cognitive computing and machine learning will make use of big data and connect the dots for users.

At Google I/O last May, the tech giant announced its own voice-powered hub to rival Amazon's Echo: the Home, which would be powered by their AI helper, Assistant. The Siri-like software was promoted as a standard feature on the search titan's first phone, the Pixel, which came out later in fall. But Google announced a plan weeks ago to bring the hub and the help back together, promising to bring some of Home's connected device control to the company's smartphone line. Today, they started rolling out Home Control for some versions of their mobile platform, allowing users to use voice commands to fiddle with their network of connected home devices. It's a little unclear which software can access the feature: 9to5Google and AndroidPolice got it working on Pixel phones running Android 7.1.2,

Major smartphone makers are following Apple and Google into the smartphone trend of 2017: artificial intelligence. LG's G6 could feature Google Assistant, Samsung said its Galaxy S8 will feature its own AI assistant, and Huawei's Mate 9 is the first phone with Amazon's Alexa. The Chinese conglomerate has been especially vocal about AI in their smartphones--unusual for top smartphone makers, who are normally secretive about their latest devices. Huawei said they will have an AI-focused "Superphone" in 2020--just a year before their goal to be the world's top smartphone maker. The Chinese tech giant has been sitting at No. 3 since last year, behind Samsung and Apple.

When you think of artificial intelligence (AI), do you imagine Will Smith battling humanoid robots? Well, think again…did you know that AI is already being applied in the Internet, helping you go about your daily life without drawing attention to itself? Artificial intelligence simulates traditionally human processes like learning, reasoning and self-correction. Unlike traditional programs, AI-based applications don't need to be continually fed data or manually coded to make changes to their functionality and output. AI can be (and already is) immensely useful to B2B professionals in all industries. Most people tend to think of "strong" AI examples like IBM's Watson, but "weak" or "narrow" AI is more common and useful to our businesses and everyday lives.

Most people have an Amazon Echo in their kitchen or living room - but the CEO of Amazon keeps one in his bathroom. In a recent interview with Billboard, Jeff Bezos revealed there is a smart speaker in every room of his house, including his water closet. The tech tycoon moved a device into the room after being frustrated when he could not ask Alexa about the weather while on the toilet. Most people keep an Amazon Echo in their kitchen or living room, but the CEO of Amazon has one in his bathroom. Amazon Echo is a voice-controlled smart speaker that works alongside a smartphone app.

Artificial intelligence is a young field full of nearly unlimited potential that remains largely misunderstood by most people. We've come a long way since Watson won Jeopardy in 2011 and IBM formed the business unit with over $1 billion in investments. AI is no longer a one-trick pony. AI technology from IBM Watson and multiple companies such as WayBlazer and SparkCognition has moved firmly into the real world. We have no doubt come a good distance on what is indeed a very long road.

Microsoft virtual assistant Cortana began holding people to their promises on Thursday. 'Now, Cortana can help you remember things you've said you would do in your emails - without you even having to ask,' partner group program manager Marcus Ash said in a blog post. An update to Cortana -- Microsoft's digital assistant infused with artificial intelligence -- enables it to recognize and make note when people promise in messages to tend to tasks To check the feature out for yourself, make sure you're signed in to Cortana, and have given communications consent. Then check that either an Outlook.com or Office 365 work or school account is connected through the connected services section in your Cortana notebook. Try emailing yourself a commitment like'I will send you the report by Friday' and look out for that suggested reminder from Cortana.

Innovation in the white-hot digital performance management (DPM) market continues to accelerate, and it was clear from this week's Perform conference in Las Vegas that Dynatrace is setting the pace. In fact, Dynatrace's innovations are so cutting-edge and so flashy that on first glance they may seem to be gimmicks. For example, there's Dynatrace UFO, a saucer-shaped device with flashing lights that one might confuse with a drone. But instead of flying, it provides status reports with patterns of red and green lights. If normal-sized screens are good, the reasoning might go, then large ones would be better, right?

If you've ever said you'd do something in an email then whiffed on adding it to your calendar, Cortana can now help. As it previewed last year, Microsoft's assistant will check your emails and, using machine learning tech, pick out things you say you'll do. It'll then remind you later with no effort on your part. For instance, if you tell you're boss "I'll send this report," it'll save that as a suggested reminder. If you specified a date and time, it'll automatically ping you and add it to Microsoft's Action Center.