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Does Google buying Green Throttle point to a set-top box?

With rumors hinting at an upcoming streaming device to incorporate more gaming, the Web giant buys the Atlas controller and Arena app-maker.

Dara Kerr Former senior reporter
Dara Kerr was a senior reporter for CNET covering the on-demand economy and tech culture. She grew up in Colorado, went to school in New York City and can never remember how to pronounce gif.
Dara Kerr

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Google's newest acquisition could point to the company adding snazzy gaming components to its rumored upcoming set-top box. PandoDaily confirmed that the Web giant recently snapped up Green Throttle Games.

Green Throttle Games is known for its Bluetooth Atlas controller and Android Arena app that let users convert smartphones or tablets into makeshift consoles. In a cryptic message posted to its Web site in November, Green Throttle announced that its Arena app would no longer be available and all backend support for the app was ending.

"Stick around and we'll keep you posted on the evolution of Green Throttle," the company wrote at the time. While Samsung was reportedly eyeballing Green Throttle, it appears the next step in the evolution is becoming part of Google.

Green Throttle Games was founded in 2012 by Charles Huang, Matt Crowley, and Karl Townsend. Huang is known for co-founding Guitar Hero and is keeping the rights to Green Throttle, according to PandoDaily. Crowley and Townsend have joined Google's ranks, but their job titles remain unclear.

Rumors have been swirling for months that Google is working on a set-top box to be able to stream the Internet, games, and other entertainment to users' televisions. However, it's still not clear if Google's Green Throttle acquisition means bringing more gaming into a possible set-top box.

The terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. CNET contacted Google for comment and we'll update the story when we get more information.