If you guessed Google's first stab at local home-automation might involve ZigBee, Z-Wave or Thread + Weave ... you would be wrong. Google announces local integration via BLE with GE smart bulbs, along with a new protocol for pairing and control.

The rumor mill is reaching peak production this week, as Apple bolsters its mesh networking by joining Thread Group.

Hooked on Nest thermostats, smoke and CO alarms and indoor/outdoor surveillance cameras, this Nest Elite Pro dealer -- and his Nest-obsessed customers -- can't wait to integrate the new Nest Hello video doorbell and Next x Yale smart lock, starting t

August and Nest/Yale employ low-energy home-automation protocols (Bluetooth LE and Thread/Weave) for their door locks, connecting to the home network via Wi-Fi-enabled video doorbells powered over wire.

IoT chip-maker Silicon Labs (SLAB) to acquire Z-Wave technology owner Sigma Designs (SIGM), giving a big boost to the home-automation standard.

Julie Jacobson and Avi Rosenthal wonder why Amazon chose ZigBee for Echo Plus home-automation hub, when Z-Wave is more interoperable, secure, supportable, and ubiquitous.