Here are the top digital marketing data and case studies that caught our eye.

Microsoft has developed a voice activated phone assistant feature called Cortana, a direct rival to Apple’s Siri.

Amazon is introducing a set top box that allows streaming of online video content in a bid to rival than other streaming services such as Apple TV and Google Chromecast.

Microsoft is set to launch a version of Windows aimed at the emerging Internet of Things movement, uniting connected devices such as appliances, sensors, and wearables under the Windows brand of operating systems.

US smartphone users are switching to apps rather than mobile browsers when surfing the internet, according to new research.

Most Twitter users now follow a brand on the social network- but what drives real engagement with customers on a social network. This infographic from Twitter looks at why people follow brands and identifies major opportunity gaps waiting to be filled by brands that can develop engaging accounts.

Nest, the home automation firm bought by Google in January, is launching in UK this week- under the claim it can bring home energy prices down by up to 29%.

Marketers need to wise up. Older, affluent consumers are increasingly important digital consumers as Kantar Media’s Geoff Wicken explains.

Advertising technology company The Rubicon Projecthas started trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the “RUBI” ticker.

Sky has announced a new ‘Buy to Keep’ service that lets subscribers buy a film through their set-top box to watch immediately, with Sky also posting them a copy of the movie on DVD to keep in their collection.