If Icontrol is acquired by Comcast and Alarm.com, we'll see a gaping hole in SHaaS (smart home as a service) providers for integrated home automation and professionally monitored security. Here are some likely contenders as the 'next Icontrol'.

Today: Buy this hub, build a smart home. Try: You know all those smart devices you already bought? Buy this hub to connect them together.

At CES 2016, ADT unveils two open APIs: One for ADT Pulse security and home automation, another called Canopy for third-party devices that benefit from professional security monitoring.

Home automation standards, low-voltage DC power distribution, IoT at retail and the demise of VIA International grabbed CE Pro page views in 2015.