1 billion by 2018. The market research firm Allied Market Research projects that the global smart homes and buildings market will grow at a compound annual growth rate of 29. 5% through 2020, at which point the market will be worth $35. 3 billion. Another even more optimistic report from Juniper Research, predicts that the market will grow to $71 billion by 2018. Beyond this market are less expensive smart home devices and systems, largely manufacturer by security, software and electronics firms. Rival software firms Apple and Google are two major players in this marketspace. Google recently acquired the aforementioned Nest Learning Thermostat for $3. 2 billion, and has designs on the home security market. Apple is designing a software platform to control smart home devices, and is in talks with a group of retailers to incorporate it into their devices. Another large player in this market is ATandT, whose Digital Life service, consisting of one app and a wireless adapter device, aggregates all services and devices and the consumer pays a monthly fee for this service.