Why are people so excited about the Google phone? It's been done before

I am amazed that there has been so much chatter on Twitter and the Internet over the "Google phone" these past few days since there is nothing new here and all it looks to be is an upgraded piece of hardware that was fully expected. Sascha Segan posted exactly what I feel about the Google phone and rather than write up my same thoughts I highly recommend you read his latest column explaining why this device is NOT a game changer, iPhone killer, savior to the US smartphone market.

As a fan of Nokia devices I know that they have been selling unlocked phones for years and people balk at the high initial price you pay for carrier freedom so I don't know why people think that an HTC made Google phone (there have already been a couple of them before) will change people's perception about unlocked phones.

Can anyone rationally explain to me why this is such a big deal for people? Is the smartphone news in December just so slow that people are grasping for any kind of story they can to generate excitement? I just don't get it myself.