Google is expected to unveil its highly anticipated Nexus One smartphone today, marking a first foray into an increasingly crowded market.
The announcement could shape the future of the company’s advertising business.
Gadget lovers around the world will focus on Google’s corporate headquarters in Mountain View, California, where the internet search leader is expected to announce the phone.
But the tech world’s fascination has not carried over to Wall Street, which is taking a wait-and-see view on Google’s first effort to sell a hardware product directly to consumers.
Google’s stock has risen about 7 percent since the start of December, setting a 52-week high yesterday.
But analysts say that was driven by improvements in its core business of internet search advertising, rather than the prospect of tapping a new pool of revenue selling smartphones.
Unlike Apple’s iPhone, which upended the mobile phone industry when it was released in 2007 and has helped propel Apple’s stock more than 70 percent since, Google’s Nexus One phone appears to be less of a game-changer — at least from what is known about it so far.
“There’s really not much that’s groundbreaking at this stage,” said UBS analyst Brian Pitz.
Many of the details of the Nexus One — which Google has yet to confirm actually exists — have trickled out via various internet blogs, media reports and analysts in recent weeks, including technical specifications and pricing.
Early reviews in Barron’s and the Engadget.com blog depict a device not drastically different than existing smartphones that feature Google’s Android software, such as the Motorola Droid and the HTC Hero.
The phone has a large touchscreen, 4 gigabytes of flash memory and a 5 megapixel digital camera, as well as the latest, 2.1 version of the Android operating system, according to the reviews.
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