Apple may be among several companies looking into acquiring home automation startup id8 Group R2 Studios Inc., according to a new report from The Wall Street Journal. Microsoft and Google are also said to be in acquisition talks with the company, which holds patents for controlling electronic devices and interfaces, and has also released an Android app for heating and lighting systems control. R2 Studios was created in May 2011 by Blake Krikorian, founder of Slingbox maker Sling Media Inc. The report notes, however, that “a deal may not happen and some talks may be preliminary.”
Updated Jan. 3: Microsoft has acquired id8 Group R2 Studios Inc. to “beef up its Xbox unit,” the WSJ reports.