[varenc]

I agree this is desirable for users, but platform lock in is a desirable property for most of the major device manufacturers. How do we motivate Sonos/Google/Apple/Philips Hue/Amazon/etc to actually build in better support for open standards? (small manufacturers already have that incentive, but they're a small part of the market)

[PaulDavisThe1st]

It's only a half-serious suggestion, but we could point them to the story of how accepting MIDI for electronic music device interoperability in the 1980s led to a massive explosion in that industry in which everyone benefitted.

[bluGill]

To start with we need one standard. (xkcd fans will note that I said one not 15). Until there is one good standard (good meaning no way to misread it so your device isn't compatible with anyone else - this is hard)

In the US congress can set standards of weights and measures, it isn't hard to see how other things could be mandated based on that constitutional text.