It looks like Google is not settling with it’s current role as a small Google-Maps software supplier for mobile phones like the Apple iPhone. According to The Guardian, Google held talks with several companies like Telefonica/O2 to find a European partner for rolling out a "Phone", optimized for Google’s core competences: Search, find, locate, advertise. Samsung shall be the hardware and mobile OS software partner for Google. But until now, non of these aspects are officially acknowledged.
Sources: Guardian.co.uk, ftd.de