AllJoyn

AllJoyn is a collaborative open source software framework that allows devices to communicate with other devices around them. AllJoyn framework is flexible, promotes proximal network and cloud connection is optional. A simple example would be a motion sensor letting a light bulb know no one is in the room it is lighting, so it can shut itself off.
In October 2016, they announced their merger into IoTivity. Also during the merging announcement, it was stated that current devices running either AllJoyn or Iotivity will be interoperable and backward compatible. Within the merging process, the project's licence was changed to the Apache 2.0 Licence which makes it easier for other open source projects to include AllJoyn.
Later in October 2016, AllJoyn merged with the Open Connectivity Foundation (OCF).
Details.
The system itself is an open source project which provides a universal software framework and core set of system services that enable interoperability among connected products and software applications across manufacturers to create dynamic proximal networks using a D-Bus message bus. Qualcomm has led development of this open source project, and first presented it at the Mobile World Congress 2011. Unity Technologies has provided the 'AllJoyn Unity Extension' packaged with the AllJoyn SDK release 2.3.6 and above. Major OEM and ODM partners includes Foxconn, Technicolor, LG-Innotek, LeTV, and Xiaomi.
The AllJoyn software framework and core system services let compatible devices and applications find each other, communicate and collaborate across the boundaries of product category, platform, brand, and connection type. Target devices include those in the fields of Connected Home, Smart TV, Smart Audio, Broadband Gateways, and Automotive. Qualcomm is working on providing OEM solutions. Currently, the communication layer (and thus hardware requirements) is limited to wi-fi.
Though the protocol started at Qualcomm, they have signed over AllJoyn, including the source code and trademark to the Linux Foundation with the creation of the AllSeen Alliance. The AllSeen Alliance has been created to promote some type of interoperability for the internet of things, and a number of consumer brands have signed on including LG, Sharp, Haier, Panasonic, Sony, Electrolux, Sears and Arçelik. Other members include Silicon Image, Cisco, TP-Link, Canary, Changhong, Two Bulls, Affinegy, doubleTwist, Fon, Harman, HTC, LIFX, Liteon, Muzzley, Onbiron, Sproutling, Microsoft, and Wilocity
10 October 2016, AllSeen Alliance merged with the Open Connectivity Foundation (OCF) under the OCF name and bylaws. OCF will now sponsor both the IoTivity and AllJoyn open source projects at The Linux Foundation. Both projects will collaborate to support future versions of the OCF specification in a single IoTivity implementation that combines the best of both technologies into a unified solution. The newly merged groups announced that they will collaborate on future OCF specifications, as well as the IoTivity and AllJoyn open source projects, and current devices running on either AllJoyn or IoTivity solutions will be interoperable and backward-compatible. The expanded OCF board of directors will consist of executives from a wide array of leading companies: Electrolux, Arçelik A.S., ARRIS International plc, CableLabs, Canon, Cisco, GE Digital, Haier, Intel, LG Electronics, Microsoft, Qualcomm, Samsung, and Technicolor SA.
Technology.
The system uses the client–server model to organize itself. For example, a light could be a "producer" (server) and a switch a "consumer" (client).
Each "producer" on the network has an XML file called "introspection" that is used to advertise the device's abilities and what it can be asked to do.
It is possible to extend the AllJoyn framework's capabilities by bridging other protocols. Microsoft has added a technology called "Device System Bridge" that allows devices using home or building protocols such as Z-Wave and BACnet to appear on an AllJoyn network. Microsoft has integrated the AllJoyn runtime (standard client) and Router Node service in Windows 10.
The system also has technology for audio streaming to multiple device "sinks" in a synchronized way. Source code of the AllJoyn framework is located in the AllJoyn Open Source Project's repositories AllJoyn Git. Details for all current projects are available at AllJoyn Wiki. Also there is a slack channel dedicated for developers discussion managed by both AllJoyn and third party developers.
Services and APIs.
AllJoyn provides several services that can be integrated with its core. See detailed API Guide for further usage.