If you go look at all the Chinese Android consoles, you'll see they did the remote first, down to the integrated mic for voice search.

There are even a few of them that have a hockey-puck appearance.

That just furthers my suspicion that this is some sort of reference board implementation. Curious that Google is entering the game as late as they are.

For disclosure, I should say I have and rather enjoy a FireTv. Not the most amazing device ever, but more than capable of what it is made to do. (And more to the point, does a good job by me.)