It looks like Google has got a new device up its sleeves. The company recently filed an application to the FCC asking for permission to test a WiFi and Bluetooth-enabled “entertainment device” in employment homes in four US cities. While there aren’t any images of the device provided, it is vaguely described in the FCC application as some sort of device for connecting to home WiFi networks and other home electronics equipment. Something related to Google TV or Android@Home? Possibly. Hopefully we’ll find out more about it soon. Hit the break to read selected excerpts from the FCC application and let us know what you think it could be.
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. … Users will connect their device to home WiFi networks and use Bluetooth to connect to other home electronics equipment. This line of testing will reveal real world engineering issues and reliability of networks. The device utilizes a standard WiFi/Bluetooth module, and the planned testing is not directed at evaluating the radio frequency characteristics of the module (which are known), but rather at the throughput and stability of the home WiFi networks that will support the device, as well as the basic functionality of the device. From this testing we hope to modify the design in order to maximize product robustness and user experience. Utilizing the requested number of units will allow testing of real world network performance and its impact on applications running on the device, so that any problems can be discovered and addressed promptly.