Last year, even before Android 4.0 a.k.a. Ice Cream Sandwich was officially launched for public use, talk of the next Android version had already surfaced, though there was little information, except that it was unofficially dubbed Jelly Bean.

Though ICS hasn’t rolled out to most Android 4.0 compatible devices, news of Jelly Bean’s arrival, expected the second quarter of this year, surfaced last week.  Rumor has it, the next Android will be compatible for Windows 8 and it will be more focused on crossing over to the desktop sector.  And with Google’s plan of home domination with the Android@Home, some are thinking that the Jelly Bean is actually the platform where Android@Home will be launched in.

Russian blogger Eldar Murtazin claims that the next Android will include a dockable desktop, much like Motorola Mobility’s LapDock where compatible phones can output their video via HDMI.

This might actually happen, since Google’s two steps closer to owning Motorola.  They just need a few more regulators to approve the deal, and it’s possible they;ve already come up with a device much like the LapDock that would bring the Android platform to any laptop or netbook, or even desktop computers.

These are just rumors, but it all seems to fit nicely with a consolidated hardware-software effort Google will need to make Android more competitive with Apple’s iDevice lineup.

Voice Controlled GoogleTV

While Jelly Bean connects the dots for mobile and desktop, Google is also looking to trump Apple in the home entertainment sector as well.  There are rumors that Android is bringing Siri-like technology to Google TV.

According to a post from Patently Apple, Google filed a patent for a voice-based remote control that would tie in with GoogleTV.

“The new remote will use voice controls associated with Google’s own cloud services,” said the Patently Apple post.  “The user will be able to use their Android Phone as the remote to make inquiries about TV shows and the TV will list what’s available as illustrated in our cover graphic.”

This could position Google for direct competition with Apple, also rumored to launch a connected TV with built-in Siri commands.  What makes the Google invention different is that users would likely speak directly to the iTV, while GoogleTV users will need an Android device to give voice queries or commands.  What’s cool about the GoogleTV technology is that since you will be using your Android device to control it, you can remotely turn on GoogleTV.

The patent was filed September of last year and there’s no news yet as to when the technology will be launched and be available for public use.