Not too far into the future, it may become commonplace for people to run common functions in their homes using their smart phones. The functions may include lights, security systems, thermostats, appliances and entertainment devices.
Would you want Apple, Microsoft, or Google to run your home? All three companies see this as a big market and have been hard at work developing it. Now, in a small way, Microsoft has beaten Apple and Google by acquiring Id8 Group R2 Studios. R2 Studios had been in discussions with Apple, Google, and Microsoft according to the Wall Street Journal.
R2 Studios’ only publicly known product is a $99 app for Android designed for the remote control of home functions. The founder of R2 Studios is Blake Krikorin. Krikorin previously founded Slingbox which produced a set-top box to allow consumers to watch their video subscription service from anywhere in the world.
Google has entered the fray with Android@Home to use your Android phone to control various devices in your home. Apple has been relying on selling third-party products related to home control in Apple Stores.
Of course, many of the existing systems, appliances and devices in the home are not going to work with smart phones. This is going to open up a huge market that will transcend Apple, Google, and Microsoft to players like Whirlpool and General Electric…Read more at Forbes
