Home automation pioneer X10 shuts down as it goes into receivership and stops production in its factories.
The announcement follows reports by Wired.com of the X10 protocol's vulnerability to hacker attacks-- even if the company insists its closing down has nothing to do with the news.
The company did face competition from newer home-control technologies such as Z-Wave, ZigBee, Insteon and wifi.
X10 was a pioneer in the home automation industry-- creating its powerline-based control protocol in the 1970s, before launching its offerings (and possibly the home automation industry) in the 1980s.
Nowadays X10 is just known for its trashy-looking website selling cheap wireless gadgets, and an appearance in nerd sitcom The Big Bang Theory. It will also continue selling its devices for the time being-- at least until either stocks dry up or consumers stop buying.
Go X10
Go Hacking Home Automation Systems Through your Power Lines (Wired.com)
