Evidence suggesting that Google (News - Alert) is preparing a strong push into the hardware space – and against Apple – continues to mount.

News broke on Thursday that Google is working on a home entertainment system capable of streaming music wirelessly throughout people's homes. The units are said to be in the prototyping phase, but the Wall Street Journal reports that the product could hit the market later this year. Google will test the systems at the homes of 252 employees who reside near the company's California, New York and Massachusetts offices.

Now a new filing with the FCC (News - Alert) reveals that Google is working on a second hardware product – a "next-generation personal computing device" – and has requested permission to trial 102 prototypes at the homes of its employees.

Although few details were provided in the filing, we can confirm that the device boasts a Bluetooth radio and is designed to connect to home Wi-Fi networks.

"The device utilizes a standard WiFi (News - Alert) 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," Google noted in the filing.

Google has yet to offer any comment on the filing, leaving plenty of room for speculation on what the device may offer. All we know now is that it is an in-home, Wi-Fi-enabled device that offers access to Google's trove of applications.

Either way, all signs are pointing toward Google leaving its software-only moniker behind and taking on Apple in the highly lucrative computing hardware space. Chances are decent that both products may make an appearance Google I/O 2012, which is scheduled for late June. And with the Motorola (News - Alert) Mobility deal on the verge of closing, expect Google-branded products to be a staple of your local electronics store.

For more insight on Google foray into the hardware business, check out TMC CEO Rich Tehrani's (News - Alert) most recent blog post where he details the steps Google needs to take to be successful.  

Beecher Tuttle is a TMCnet contributor. He has extensive experience writing and editing for print publications and online news websites. He has specialized in a variety of industries, including health care technology, politics and education. To read more of his articles, please visit his columnist page.

Edited by Rich Steeves