Google ready to take wraps off new mobile phone

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. -- Google is expected to kick off the new year by unveiling its vision for how a mobile phone should be made and sold. It's the latest step in the Internet search leader's quest for more control over how people surf the Web while they're on the go.

The company's catalyst for change apparently will be the Nexus One, the first phone designed by Google's own engineers.

Google has said little about the Nexus One since giving the device to its employees last month for final testing.

The first details about Google's plans for the phone are expected to emerge today during a news conference at the company's Mountain View, Calif., headquarters.