After decades of poorly executed home automation systems and gadgets, startups are taking advantage of mobile tech advances to deliver slick smart home devices that support a wide range of activities in the home. These products will shake up large established markets and customer relationships in home insurance, food and grocery, healthcare, energy, and water utilities. This report outlines how the smart home will emerge, what the 13 core activities of the smart home are, and how the battle between web giants, startups, and incumbents will play out for control of the customer relationship. We outline five actions that CIOs need to take to prepare for the long-awaited arrival of the smart home.