From a well-placed friend in retail and possibly corroborated via a Starbucks conversation, we’ve learned that Best Buy intends to double down on the home automation market. Best Buy devotes significant space to this burgeoning category, but will up the ante very soon with an expanded two-tier approach. First, stores will offer what we believe to be a DIY white label hub and associated apps, similar in concept to Staples Connect and Lowes Iris. We’re told the BBY solution will primarily communicate with Zigbee devices, although eventual Nest integration is confirmed. Second, in Comcast markets, a higher tier of monitored services and security will be offered, similar to Best Buy’s current broadband and satellite television sales – with those beefy commissions. All we need now is a name, some pricing intel, and why we’d choose Best Buy’s implementation given the interesting competition.

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