Is Google phone a ploy or a pilot?

Release of device to employees stirs speculation. Is this a means of stimulating innovation among Android developers or a challenge to device partners? http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/13/technology/companies/13google.html?adxnnl=1&emc=eta1&adxnnlx=1261101657-3GJK+5kq8exsy60r6c9ZjA