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.

The effort marks a sharp shift in strategy for Google, which for the first would time would design and market consumer electronic devices under the Google brand. Google has up to now mainly focused on developing the operating system that powers devices such as smartphones, tablets and televisions and allowing other companies to build and brand the hardware that uses it.

The new device, along with Google's pending purchase of device maker Motorola Mobility Holdings Inc., shows how serious the Internet giant is about wanting to control both the software and hardware process. It is unclear which retailers would sell the Google Android entertainment system, which would let people download digital media such as music and stream it to Google-made speakers or other Web-connected devices in people's homes. Google currently offers music for sale through a digital store, Android Market, rivaling Apple's iTunes store.

A Parks Associates report, Networked Audio Products: Market Update examines key technologies enabling the wireless in-home streaming of music services to a variety of products – from AV receivers to docks and home theater systems.