Motorola Bringing Android to Set-Top Boxes?

Google's Android seems to be making its way off of smartphones: Motorola plans to transition its Japanese au Box set-top box from its own platform to Android.

Device makers have been pondering whether Google’s Android platform will migrate from smartphones to other types of consumer electronic devices…and the the answer appears to be "yes." In what may be the first non-phone device to sport Android, Motorola has unveiled plans to convert its au Box set-top box (available via KDDI in Japan) from its own VIP1830 platform to Android.

The au Box is designed to service as digital media center for users who have mobile phones but who don’t have PCs in the home: it can play CDs and DVDs, transfer music and digital content to mobile devices like PMPs and phones, and rip CDs for use on portable devices. The existing au Box is available to KDDI subscribers for about $3 a month, and integrates wireless and broadband Internet connectivity to top into digital television and download services.

Motorola hasn’t announced when an Android-based version of the au Box might be available, or whether it plans to market the product outside of Japan, although reports have the company prepping to demonstrate the Android-powered au Box at the Japanese CEATAC trade show in early October. Given Android’s capabilities, industry watchers expect the Android au Box will be able to surf the Web.

Computer makers like Hewlett-Packard and Asus are looking at using Android for lightweight, ultraportable notebook computers and netbooks.