Verizon's strength really is their network. It's celluar broadband is the best in the States right now, though it is exspensive.

Devices are Verizon's weekness however. They are god awful slow with new product introductions, and hopefully this will help out on that end.

The Google phone is really no threat to cell carriers if users have thier choice of devices.

It's ultimately about the network, and Google will have to buy or build one to be an intresting player in the mobile arena, which is not out of the question. 

Another mobile device is litterally a drop in the ocean.