Intel fuels wireless home automation debate

OK, just when you thought a single spec would emerge for the wireless home automation market, things just got dicey. As reported by EE Times, Intel has now funded Zensys and joined the Z-Wave Alliance. Intel's move gives fuel back to Zensys, a company that was up for sale, and re-ignites the debate about whether ZigBee or Z-Wave is the best option for the home.

Interest in Z-Wave is nothing new. According to Zensys, more than 100 companies are currently using the technology. But, while Zensys has pushed hard on its Z-Wave technology, the company has had trouble getting other chip manufacturers to back it. And, in recent weeks, things didn't look good for Zensys as rumors started to emerge about whether or not the company was up for sale.

So what does this mean for Zensys? Well now the questions about chip support go away because the largest chip maker is now a key backer. What does this mean for Intel? Simple. Intel didn't have a strong play in this space and now they have a tested solution to ride in wireless home automation.

And, what does this mean for the wireless home automation market? That's simple too. Continued fighting on the standard front and a lack of a unified wireless home automation spec. And, what that means is interoperability problems, continued technology debates, and an overall slowdown in market adoption for wireless home automation solutions in the home.

Keep watching this blog for updates on the saga.