In an effort to help devices and appliances from different manufacturers work together, the new Open Interconnect Consortium hopes to establish a common ground on which they can connect. Doug Fisher, general manager of Intel’s Software and Services Group that will develop the framework, told Reuters that what they are developing would address security and other issues that have not been solved by the AllSeen group, which Microsoft recently joined.

A number of software companies such as Apple and Google are also competing to develop their own platforms for connected homes and devices. Apple’s HomeKit platform cultivates existing apps that control lighting, heating and other services into a single place, allowing users to control them all through a single app on their Apple device.

Google owns thermostat and smoke alarm maker Nest Labs which recently announced a developer program to entice third parties to integrate their products and services with Nest’s devices.

Samsung produces a large number of connected home appliances, and this announcement coincides with the launch of its Samsung Smart Home service, which allows users to control several smart devices simultaneously through its Smart Home app.

The potential splintering of the market is of no concern to Fisher, who said in the article, “We’re not out to create that. We just think the industry has spoken and there’s this approach that’s needed.”

Similar to Apple’s approach, Samsung hopes to allow users to control devices remotely through a smartphone.