According to CNET, cable giant Comcast is also trying to break into the smart home market. The company is reportedly testing a new program for broadband customers that will allow homeowners to use their TVs as a central control system for their home, including connected light bulbs and security systems. The new technology will use the same hardware and software that currently powers Comcast’s X1 video service and add more home functionality than ever before.

Comcast's move would be a first shot at taking on Amazon and Google, which have so far dominated the battle to be your go-to system for consolidating smart-home devices and making them simple to control. Connected locks and thermostats are still niche for most homeowners, but companies like Google and Amazon have been investing aggressively in the hope of becoming the standard system when smart homes becomes the norm.

Comcast's test program also streams internet video from apps like Netflix, YouTube and Amazon, the person said, but it isn't meant to compete with the streaming-media boxes like Roku, Apple TV or Amazon's Fire TV. Comcast could charge a monthly fee for the program, but business model and the price haven't been decided, the person added.

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