Google hits up the FCC for an ‘experimental’ licence – so what are they testing now?
Google, Google, Google, you are so full of surprises aren’t you, or at least it would appear so given your request to the Federal Communications Commission for permission to test a mysterious “entertainment device” that will utilize Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. The request is limited to allow only Google employees in four specific cities: Mountain View, Los Angeles, Cambridge, and New York
So what are you up to Google?
Looking to add something to your Google TV service or perhaps you want to get into the gaming business for all those social games on Google+.
According to Google’s own application which was filed in December this is what they had to say to the FCC
Explanation:
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.
Purpose of Operation:
Testing throughput and stability of home WiFi networks using an entertainment device. Testing will include functional testing of all subsystems, including WiFi and Bluetooth radio. 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. All devices will be used by and registered to specific individuals (all Google employees), and Google will maintain a record of each device, so that they can be easily recalled at any time during testing and when testing is complete.
via FCC Application
via GigaOM
