Flextronics picks up Wink, Legrand invests in Netatmo, Alarm.com goes public, Sears acquires WallyHome, Nortek acquires Numera ... and other IoT and A/V mergers, acquisitions and equity events of 2015.

From the demise of VIA International to the launch of Amazon Echo, CE Pro highlights some of the most important home-tech happenings of 2015. (Julie Jacobson / CE Pro)

Florida-based custom integration firm Five Smooth Stones has a dual focus on production homebuilders and converting DIYers via its two small-footprint retail stores.

Production home building, immersive home entertainment, more engaging home automation, the aware home and cloud-based networking top CE Pro's list of technology trends and opportunities for 2015.

UTC's Interlogix already offers Alarm.com and its own AdvisorSync for cloud-based security and home automation, so why did they acquire UHS from Australia-based Hills?