The home automation arena gets what perhaps is an unlikely contender-- Staples, the retailer best known for (wait for it!) staples of the office supply variety launches the Staples Connect automation product family.
According to the retailer Connect is a "universal way to connect [the] home." It combines products from a number of vendors, starting off from a Zonoff (designers of the Somfy TaHoma system) iOS and Android app platform on top of a Linksys-built hub device.
The hub connects to routers via ethernet and to various other devices using either wifi, Z-wave and Clear Connect. Staples says it is already compatible with a large number of products, including security cameras, DoorBot wifi camera doorbells, Yale smart door locks, Honeywell thermostats, Lutron window shades, dimmers and switches, and Philips Hue colour-changing LED lighting.
An ivee virtual assistant takes care of voice control, should one want it.
Staples insists its take on automation differs from the competition by being very easy to install-- the mobile device app features built-in tutorials and most devices include UPC code users can scan with the app for quick access to specific setup menus and even related device suggestions.
Connect will be available at US Staples stores from November 2013, with no word of a European launch as yet.