[Orlando]

Indeed
Too bad you rule out Zigbee..it will kind limit users choice.

Im using Phillips HUE (Zigbee) and this thing is brilliant, Siri, apple HomeKit, logitech Harmony ultimate, IFTTT channels, Loads of compatible apps, and some zillions of configurations, looking forward for Google home in the Shield.

I believe zigbee as a platform is very fragmented and there isn't a universal controller that controls all zigbee devices. One manufacturer's controller doesn't control other manufacturer's devices, etc.

Zwave is more universal on that front and there are quite a few generic controllers (usb or otherwise)

Yes Philips removed support for other ZigBee devices from their hue system a while ago.

Z wave on the other hand is very fragmented by the fact that it uses different frequencies all over the world. I can't pick up cheap US or Chinese gear.

About fragmentation... this is not the right place to say this, but Homy Player is a multi-frequency z-wave controller. You can set the zone (US, EU, RU, and so on) in the home player phone or tv app. Takes about 5 seconds to change the frequency (on the fly) and no need to reboot the system. Many z-wave vendors offer same devices in both frequencies (EU, US)...