Microsoft acquires home automation startup R2 Studios to bolster Xbox division
Details are expectedly light on this one, but The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Microsoft has acquired R2 Studios, a startup focused on home entertainment and home automation founded by Blake Krikorian (best known as the co-founder and former CEO of Sling). According to the WSJ, Krikorian and a "small team" will be joining Microsoft, with the company's Xbox division apparently the main focus of the deal. The news also follows reported acquisition talks R2 has had with both Apple and Google, although Microsoft's winning bid hasn't been revealed -- it does unsurprisingly include some patents, though. For its part, Microsoft is staying mum on the deal, although R2's current focus (including a home control app for Android) would seem to be a natural fit for Microsoft's SmartGlass efforts.
