Microsoft confirms that it has acquired home automation startup R2 Studios for its Xbox division

Microsoft has today confirmed what was reported last week by the Wall Street Journal: it has acquired home entertainment technology company id8 Group R2 Studios for its Xbox division. What’s more, R2 founder Blake Krikorian is being appointed as corporate vice president of Microsoft’s Interactive Entertainment Business.
An earlier WSJ report claimed that Silicon Valley-based R2, which had reportedly been working on technology for distributing and displaying digital media on TVs but was better known for home automation technology, had also received acquisition offers from Google and Apple, but it’s now clear that the company opted for the open arms of Microsoft instead.
Before founding R2 Studios, Krikorian had been co-founder, chairman and CEO of Sling Media, best known for its Slingbox devices for TV streaming.
It’s unknown exactly what R2′s team will be working on within the Xbox division, but given that Microsoft has plenty going on in the home entertainment field, not least its Smart Glass second screen technology, there will be no shortage of work for them.

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