Several days ago, Google filed FCC paperwork to test a prototype of a new Google device. According to filing, the test will take place in the homes of 252 employees and take approximately six months. The official FCC filing said the following:
“Google is developing an entertainment device that requires testing outside the laboratory environment. The device is in the prototyping phase and will be modified prior to final compliance testing.”
Now, According to a recent Wall Street Journal report, news has leaked that Google is planning to develop a home entertainment system that will wirelessly stream music throughout an entire house. Google, who normally develops the software and licenses the manufacturing of devices to outside vendors, has decided that this device will be Google-branded. The Android team has reportedly been working on the media center for the past several years.
Since the Android Market already offers movie rentals and music downloads, this new piece of equipment is a logical expansion on the services already offered and should generate additional revenues for the tech giant. The device is expected to run a modified version of Android and should be able to be easily controlled by both Android tablets and phones. It is expected that the entertainment center will allow users to either download or stream music and videos to Google-branded speakers and other system components.
If the entertainment system launches this year as rumored, the system will be one of Google’s first branded devices following the acquisition of Motorola.
[Sources Include: Wall Street Journal, TechCrunch, & Business Week]
