Microsoft Home Automation: Microsoft Beats the Competition, Purchases R2 Studios

Microsoft Home Automation: A couple weeks ago, we brought you news that Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) was interested in purchasing the home entertainment startup company id8 Group R2 Studios Inc. At the time, both Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) and Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) were both expressing some serious interest.

Microsoft Corporation (MSFT)According to multiple reports, including this one from The Wall Street Journal, Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) has come out on top.

While the price of the deal has yet to be shared with the public, most believe that Microsoft made this move to improve the standing of its Xbox unit in the home entertainment industry.

Here is a brief excerpt explaining what R2 Studios brings to the table:

The company, known as R2 Studios, has been working on technology related to distributing and displaying digital media on TVs, a big new battleground for technology giants.

Most people are familiar with the fact that Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) has been looking for a way to expand on its base Xbox platform. While they have had some success doing so, such as by allowing the device to connect television with web video, there is plenty of additional room for growth.

CNET weighed in on the acquisition with the following information:

R2 Studios was created by Sling Media founder Blake Krikorian in May 2011. Sling Media developed Slingbox, which let users watch television on their computers. R2 Studios has been working on ways to display content on televisions, which could coordinate with Xbox’s focus of adding TV entertainment to its gaming console.

Even though this may not be a huge blow to the executives at Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) and Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG), Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) has to feel good about the purchase. It isn’t everyday that they beat the competition to the punch.

What are your thoughts on Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT)’s decision to purchase R2 Studios?

Check back here for more updates on Microsoft Home Automation.

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