The G1 from Google and T-Mobile hasn’t set the world on fire (the phones do make nice Christmas bonuses however) but the real promise of Android (the OS that powers the G1) isn’t a single phone it’s in the openness of the OS. Anyone can download the code, go crazy and make something really great.

So even if you’re not impressed by the current android powered offering doesn’t mean every phone that comes along will be like the G1. Imagine what a company that has mastered hardware and software could do with a mobile phone and some open source code. Well, you know what Apple did (OS X Mobile is based on OS X which is based on BSD which is open source) when the company applied the assembled lobes to the problem but could another company pull off the same trick?

Maybe. But you have to wonder what company has the skills to challenge the iPhone. The go to company is Nokia, they know all about phones but for some reason the phones have never sold well in the US. Another company that cranks out some great hardware is Sony. Sure the phones from Sony Ericsson aren’t as cool as the computers Sony cranks out but someday they’ll get it right.

Word is that Sony Ericsson will be trying to get everything just right using Android as the basis for some (undoubtedly) iPhone killing device. Can Sony Ericsson pull it off? Can the company make a legitimate iPhone killer? Maybe, the company knows consumer electronics like Kelloggs knows cornflakes so Sony Ericsson might come up with a compelling device. On the other hand Sony doesn’t know how to beat Apple. Remember the Bean? Of course you don’t. Don’t feel bad, no one else does either.

Will this effort with Android finally produce legit competition for the iPhone? Who knows, but someone needs to push Apple to new heights.