"Google AirPlay" home theatre and stereo systems incoming?

They’ve pretty much got the Internet all sewn up, and are making very strong inroads into the mobile phone market with their Android operating system. Now Google are looking to expand once more, this time into the home audio market according to the Wall Street Journal.

Looking at both Home Cinema systems and Hi-Fi stereos, the report suggests Google will produce both the hardware and software for the devices, unlike the struggling Google TV systems which saw the search giants team up with a string of AV manufacturers.

Using software akin to Apple’s AirPlay, the speakers would be able to wirelessly connect to Android smartphones and tablets for over-the-air audio streaming, using the Google Music app as well as other third-party music offerings.

Google are aiming at competitive price points too, looking to undercut rivals like Sonos considerably.

Expected to be launched later this year, it’s likely that Google will use the manufacturing expertise of their pending acquisition Motorola Mobility in order to deliver the speaker systems.