A collection of our most popular articles for IT leaders from the first few months of 2016, including: - Corporate giants recruit digitally-minded outsiders to drive transformation - Analytics platforms to drive strategy in 2016 - Next generation: The changing role of IT leaders. This trend can be seen in Samsung's 6 October acquisition of Viv Labs, a US-based developer of open AI platforms that gives third-party developers the power to build conversational assistants and integrate natural language-based interfaces into mobile apps; or the launch of Google's Pixel smartphone, which includes an integrated AI assistant. The Global Mobile Trends report was produced by the GSMA's research arm, GSMA Intelligence, and compiled data on mobile subscriber growth trends, mobile internet adoption, devices and industry finances to present a comprehensive view of the megatrends influencing the worldwide mobile ecosystem. Summing up the report's findings, GSMA chief strategy officer Hyunmi Yang said: "In this year's report, we demonstrate evidence of a major shift in mobile to Asia, particularly India, which has now overtaken China to become the industry's key growth market, and the transition to a smartphone-powered'mobile-first' internet, which is delivering a new generation of internet users.

Earlier this month Zanzi's Jayne Reddyhoff spoke at the world's first global Social Robotics and Artificial Intelligence (AI) conference at Oxford Brookes University, and it got us thinking… How can online businesses embrace AI and use it to their advantage? It's easy to feel threatened by the impending invasion of "robots" in the workplace, hijacking our jobs, and upending "traditional" human interactions expected at work. But guess what folks… robots are already here, and it's not all that bad. Embracing robotics in the workplace doesn't necessarily mean putting R2-D2 on the payroll. Instead social robotics, by which we mean incorporating "big data" or machine learning into business-as-usual, can begin to help us with the tasks mere mortals just aren't good at, thus freeing us up to do the more creative and challenging tasks.

Microsoft has announced it will take the next step in artificial intelligence (AI) by launching a group that tasked specifically with coming up with the machines of the future. The AI discovery group will be made up of 5,000 computer scientists and engineers in Microsoft's Research group, along with the company's Information Platform Group, Bing and Cortana product groups, and Ambient Computing and Robotics teams. "Today, AI is shifting the computer science research supply chain and blurring lines between research and product," Harry Shum, executive vice president of Microsoft's AI and Research Group, said. "End-to-end innovation in AI will not come from isolated research labs alone, but from the combination of at-scale production workloads together with deep technology advancements in algorithms, systems and experiences." He went on to explain how the group will help Microsoft become a frontrunner in the AI race, accelerating innovation and helping the company come up with new products to meet customer demand.

So-called connected homes, which feature a network of devices and appliances that communicate with each other and can be remotely monitored and controlled, are becoming increasingly popular and affordable. By 2020, the connected home market could be worth nearly 150 billion globally, according to professional services firm PricewaterhouseCoopers. Most Americans surveyed by the company said that within the next decade, using a single remote to control everything in the home will be the norm. "Younger generations view these devices as adding to the livability of the home," said Mark Lesswing, chief technology officer for the National Assn. of Realtors trade group. "They're early adopters now, but in three years, I think this becomes the norm."

Google officially became a hardware company on Tuesday. Not only did the company announce new Pixel phones (RIP Nexus), but the company also provided pricing and release dates for Google Home, its Amazon Echo killer, unveiled its mobile VR headset called Daydream View, Google Wi-Fi network extenders and Chromecast Ultra. Joining me this week's MashTalk is Deputy Tech Editor Damon Beres and -- for the first time -- our wonderful tech intern Alex Laird. Obviously we talked the new Google gadgets and whether or not they pose a threat to the iPhone. Damon scored us an exclusive look at Giphy Cam 2.5 (the company says it with a hard G, which is wrong, but whatever!).

Google unveiled its fancy new Pixel phone during a press event on Tuesday. If you haven't seen it yet, it's an impressive handset, with VR capabilities, a fast-charging battery, supposedly the best-ever phone camera, a super-smart AI assistant and Android 7.1. As soon CEO Sundar Pichai announced the Pixel on-stage, Google set about scrubbing listings for the Nexus 5X and 6P from its online store. If you want to buy one of them direct from Google now, you're out of luck. You can however still get one through Google Fi if you don't mind switching carriers.

The MadeByGoogle store, already set to open in Mountain View this month, is getting a New York location. The retail store will open at 96 Spring Street in lower Manhattan. Both locations will open Oct. 20. The pop-up shop is expected to sell the devices Google debuted at its hardware event on Tuesday. That likely includes Google's new flagship phone the Pixel, the Daydream View VR headset and the Amazon Echo competitor Google Home.

Sony hasn't said why it named its new wearable "N." Or for "never," as in when you'll be able to buy it. Or maybe "N" just stands for "novel." Because we've simply never seen a wearable that drapes across the back of your neck, blasts music up into your ears, and alerts you that one of your favorite bands is playing the dive bar on the next block. And we may never see it, because it's just a prototype--but one you can help test, too.

Editors' note, October 4, 2016: This piece has been updated after Google's event showcasing new details of the Home. Google announced the Google Home in May. After its October 4th launch event, the company showed the always-listening virtual assistant in detail, complete with lots of highlights of how Google Home can best its primary competition -- the Amazon Echo. Just like with Echo, you can use your voice to tell Home to add an event to your calendar, set the temperature of your thermostat, or stream your favorite song. Google's three part strategy to take Alexa down a peg.

Windows has a feature it doesn't like to talk about. While the OS lets you scrawl notes with a stylus, log in with you face (or secure the Web) via Windows Hello, and even order Cortana to set a reminder, what it's not so eager for you to do, apparently, is use its speech recognition engine to issue commands or take voice dictation. The reason for its silence may go back 10 years, to when Microsoft product manager Shanen Boettcher demonstrated voice dictation inside Windows Vista--and flubbed it. The technology kept a low profile after that, and today, few users know you can dictate a document within Windows. If there were ever a time for Windows to try again, though, it would seem to be now, when advances in computers and artificial intelligence provide a much better foundation for the technology.