Reuters reports that Microsoft Corp acquired startup id8 Group R2 Studios Inc on Wednesday.

It is believed that the acquisition will augment the high-tech giant’s efforts to expand into home-and-entertainment services, which is the startup’s specialty The firm recently created a Googles Android app that controls a lighting and a heating systems for residential use through a smartphone.

The startup was owned by Silicon Valley entrepreneur/investor Blake Krikorian. The price Microsoft paid for the startup was not divulged.

 Krikorian will join Microsoft with a small team, according to the Wall Street Journal, which reported the acquisition earlier on Wednesday. Microsoft also purchased some patents owned by the start-up related to controlling electronic devices, the newspaper added.