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WSJ: ‘Google Android entertainment system’ coming later this year

A Federal Communications Commission filing from Google last week requested permission to test an unspecified “entertainment device” that would connect to home networks over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. Today a report from The Wall Street Journal claimed the company is developing a Google-branded “home-entertainment system” for wirelessly streaming music.

Google Inc. is developing a home-entertainment system that streams music wirelessly throughout the home and would be marketed under the company’s own brand, according to people briefed on the company’s plans. The effort marks the Internet company’s first full-fledged effort to design and market consumer electronics devices under the Google brand, and represents a sharp shift in strategy.

Citing “people briefed on the company’s plans,” the report said the Android team leads the project, and it has been in development for several years. WSJ said the “Google Android entertainment system” would allow users to download content, possibly not limited to music, and stream it to other devices and Google-certified accessories. There was also a mention of controlling the device with a smartphone or tablet. WSJ’s source said the device would launch later this year.

Update: Silicon Filter points out the possibility that Google could have shown off prototypes for the new streaming device at Google I/O last year. Google stressed that they were “conceptual examples”. You can see the video from I/O after the break.

[youtube=”http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=OxzucwjFEEs”]

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Avatar for Jordan Kahn Jordan Kahn

Jordan writes about all things Apple as Senior Editor of 9to5Mac, & contributes to 9to5Google, 9to5Toys, & Electrek.co. He also co-authors 9to5Mac’s weekly Logic Pros series and makes music as one half of Toronto-based Makamachine.