The rapid evolution and growth of internet-connected "smart" devices and systems - from phones and tablets to commercial truck telematics networks - is exposing businesses and consumers alike to a higher risk of cyber-attack, one that small businesses may not prepared to meet, according to a new survey.

If you think the internet's busy now, just wait until next year. Gartner estimates there will be 6.4 billion connected devices in 2016, up 30 percent from this year.

Automation is the buzzword of the moment when it comes to distribution. But many small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) feel that automation is cost prohibitive - that it's something for the big guys. An investment in automation, however, doesn't have to be an all or nothing proposition.

The potential of artificial intelligence and advanced robotics to perform tasks once reserved for humans is no longer reserved for spectacular demonstrations by the likes of IBM's Watson, Rethink Robotics' Baxter, DeepMind, or Google's driverless car.

Google, Amazon and Wal-Mart have joined the government's task force charged with figuring out a registration and identification system for drones.