October 19, 2025, 3:00 AM EDT. In this hands-on review, the Google Pixel Watch 4 impresses with a design-forward look and a domed crystal screen that makes it feel like more than a fitness tracker. Available in the 41mm and 45mm sizes, it offers comfortable wear and surprisingly roomy display, with a slightly smaller bezel on the newer model for more screen real estate. A responsive haptic crown and intuitive navigation round out the experience. It tracks daily activity convincingly and includes solid GPS performance, though it's not fully waterproof and is only water resistant to 5 ATM. A 45-minute charge to full keeps downtime short. For those who want style plus metrics, the Pixel Watch 4 is a strong contender.

October 19, 2025, 2:42 AM EDT. Zespri is using satellite technology and historical data to transform disease management in Italian kiwifruit orchards. A new remote sensing project combines imagery with past records to deliver real-time orchard health analysis, identifying stressed blocks before symptoms appear. Executives say this is a game changer for battling Moria (Kiwifruit Vine Decline Syndrome) and Psa, reducing the need for invasive digging. By mapping every SunGold orchard in Italy, growers get actionable insights to protect yields and guide interventions, while national officials call the effort a technological breakthrough for a sector hit by disease in recent years. The initiative highlights how data and satellites can speed up decision-making in agriculture.

October 19, 2025, 2:30 AM EDT. A Hove jeweller, Scarlett Jewellery, is being mistaken for the fraudulent site Scarlett Jewels, which uses AI-generated images. The legitimate business has faced daily complaints from customers who never received orders, while Scarlett Jewels claims to be a Hong Kong-based Denimtex Limited site. Experts say AI-generated images and false scarcity are common scam tactics. The BBC reports two-thirds of Scarlett Jewels' Trustpilot reviews are one star, with some products labeled "tat" or "poor quality." Customers in the UK and Luxembourg describe problems, and the Advertising Standards Authority has warned about similar ads. The case highlights how quickly AI imagery can mislead shoppers and impact real businesses' reputations.

October 19, 2025, 1:40 AM EDT. Companies across the US and Europe are citing artificial intelligence as a driver of layoffs, with firms like Salesforce, Accenture, Lufthansa, Klarna, and Duolingo signaling reduced headcount. Critics, including Fabian Stephany of the Oxford Internet Institute, say AI is being used as a scapegoat for broader business moves, and that some cuts reflect a post-pandemic overhiring or a market clearance rather than pure efficiency gains. The debate underscores whether AI adoption is a genuine productivity boost or an easy excuse to justify workforce reductions, as companies position themselves at the AI frontier while real reasons may lie elsewhere.

October 19, 2025, 1:08 AM EDT. Global demand for industrial rugged smartphones is expanding as harsh-work environments demand durable, secure devices. The market is forecast to reach about USD 8.2 billion by 2031 with a CAGR of 8.1% from 2025-2031. Preliminary figures show the market near USD 4.5 billion in 2024, underscoring steady expansion. Key drivers include enhanced 5G connectivity, AI-enabled features, and stronger enterprise security, enabling real-time communication, field mobility, and analytics across construction, manufacturing, logistics, and field services. Leading vendors such as Zebra Technologies, Panasonic, Honeywell, CAT Phones, Samsung, Sonim, Getac, Kyocera and Motorola are expanding portfolios to serve cross-industry needs. Growth will be supported by innovations in durability, battery life, processing power, and seamless integration with enterprise software and IoT ecosystems.