Microsoft has joined the Qualcomm-led AllSeen Alliance in order to have a hand in establishing standards for Internet of Things (IoT) devices in our future connected homes.

The AllSeen Alliance, led by the US chip maker, is a consortium of companies which collaborate on an open, universal Internet of Everything software framework based on AllJoyn, originally developed by Qualcomm, but now released to developers as open source code. This allows devices and services to be connected regardless of brand, transport layer, platform or operating system.

The alliance says it represents "both the traditional machine-to-machine vision of the Internet of Things (IoT) and the services and dynamic real-time human interactions that, together with connected things, constitute the Internet of Everything."

Members include industry figures in consumer electronics, home appliances, service providers, retailers, automakers, cloud service providers, enterprise technology firms and startups. In June, the alliance added GEO Semiconductor, Local Motors, Octoblu, Razer, Red Bend Software and Symantec to its member list, which has been steadily growing since the group's creation in December 2013.

According to Reuters, Microsoft has now joined other industry players in the alliance, including Sharp, LG and Panasonic.

While many tech firms are rolling out smart devices — such as the Google-owned Nest's sensor-laden smoke detectors , or Apple's connected car infotainment system CarPlay — there are disagreements over standards, and devices are often incompatible with each other. The development of standards, however, could help solve incompatibility issues and prompt more companies to introduce new devices.

However, when asked if Intel would consider joining the alliance, an Intel spokesman told the publication:

There are multiple forums driving different approaches to solve the challenge of IoT connectivity. Currently, we don’t see one single effort that addresses all the necessary requirements.

A recent study released by the Pew Research Center Internet Project claimed that a "global, immersive, invisible, ambient-networked computing environment" will thrive by 2025; connecting everything from homes to cars and wearable devices.