Sadly, you're flat-out wrong, and drinking the Google cool-aid.

Google wanted to get into the hardware business, tried hard at it and failed.

This is their second attempt.

This is also the standard Google modus operandi: they always first try to enter new markets using internal resources, usually fail, and then go on to buy some second-best competitor as a second attempt.

Look over the history of Google acquisitions and you'll see that I'm right.

Bottom line -- HTC, Samsung and ZTE are the losers here. Google just sent them a very clear and very offensive middle finger.