Google seems to be getting sloppy with assets — it has just accidentally revealed a mysterious device called the Nexus Q thanks to a picture published on the Google Play device store. It's not clear what the spherical device does, but one tipster suggests that it may be part of Google's home automation push. The tipster says he saw an option to pair the Nexus Q over Bluetooth in a "Nexus Home" app. It seems likely that the device will have a media component, too: a document sent to Droid Life says that the Nexus Q works with YouTube, Google Play Movies, Google Play Music, and a yet-to-be announced Google Play TV. The mystery won't last for much longer, though — our Google I/O live blog is starting up in just a few minutes, and we suspect we'll be hearing a lot more about the Nexus Q there.

Update: Google has just put up the entire product page for the Nexus Q, revealing everything we want to know about the device.

Thanks, dafunkymunky!