The launch of two Pixel smartphones, a VR handset and its "intelligent agent" Google Assistant are all about a future with artificial intelligence at its core. There was fighting talk on Tuesday as Google launched its new Pixel smartphone. After its designs led to a comparison with Apple's iPhone, Google's CEO, Sundar Pichai, responded "but [the Pixel] has a less clumpy camera."

Amazon is cracking down on the practice of companies offering free products to customers in exchange for a review. In the future, such reviews can only come via the online store's own program, Amazon Vine. A recent study suggested that those who received free or discounted items were much more likely to write a favourable review.

Mastercard has launched technology that uses biometrics to verify identification from selfies, in a bid to aid customers who are concerned about fraud and want a quicker way to make online transactions. Mastercard has announced it is launching "Selfie Pay," a new method for customers to verify their identity when making transactions online.

Facebook has apologised after guns and drugs appeared to be for sale on the new Marketplace feature on its mobile app. Marketplace, which launched in the U.S. last night, allows Facebook users to advertise items they wish to buy and sell, although payment and delivery are not organised by the social media giant.

Amaze chief executive Natalie Gross has left the St Ives-owned digital marketing business as it aims to more closely align the agency alongside two of its other agencies, Realise and Branded3. Gross, who joined Amaze in 1999, led its first acquisition by the Hasgrove Group in 2007, during which time she became managing partner. Four years later she became chief of the agency.

ITN, the maker of news for ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5, is to scrap collective pay bargaining and introduce an individual "merit-based" system for more than half its 700-plus staff. The new system will analyse annually an individual's performance, the performance of their division and their pay compared with the market rate.

Telegraph Media Group (TMG) has appointed Yahoo's vice president of EMEA as its first ever chief operating officer, the creation of which could mean it is preparing to open up new revenue streams as publishers are increasingly under pressure to make up declines in print revenue. Hugh will report to chief executive Murdoch MacLennan.

The Google Pixel and Pixel XL are the first smartphones designed by the company and which bear its name. At GBP599, or from GBP719 for the XL, the Pixel is placed firmly in Apple's premium segment and comes with extras such as Google's voice-controlled artificial intelligence assistant, unlimited photo storage and an advanced camera.

Sky has launched its own VR app, letting people watch TV in 360 degrees and with it strapped to their head. The company is looking to help virtual reality become the video technology of the future by launching the app, which will initially launch with a limited number of 360-degree videos but could eventually become the viewing technology of the future.

Is the smartphone app doomed? To look at the stats you wouldn't think so: Apple has two million of them in its App Store and Google Play has a few hundred thousand more than that. Total app downloads have passed the 150 billion mark. But some are wondering whether apps are about to be replaced by something smaller, smarter and faster. Bots.