Google, Dish Network testing Android-powered TV search service

Looks like Google is trying to expand its empire yet again. But they've also found a new friend: Dish Network. Together, the two companies are in the works of developing an Android-based set-top box.

According to The Wall Street Journal, the project is in test mode right now. The TV-programming search service runs on set-top boxes powered by the Android OS and contains all of those typical Google software elements like access to YouTube. But the hardware belongs to Dish.

Viewers can operate the box by a keyboard instead of a remote. But they'll also be subjected to what some say Google does best: it's "nascent TV ad-brokering business." I'm curious how much (if at all) the ad-model would subsidize/reduce the price of the box. But apparently the ads that would pop up would be more targeted to the viewer, presumably based on what they watch most - just like online for what a particular user searches most frequently.

Don't get your hopes up too high yet, as its an internal Google project only and could be "discontinued at any time." So who knows when we'll actually see this, but I am intrigued. Or is this just one more step in Google's master plan to completely control our lives?