Sony Ericsson said it's committed to creating an Android-powered smartphone, but it will be taking its time to ensure its handset is differentiated from competitors.

When the cell phone manufacturer joined the Open Handset Alliance last year, it raised hopes for Android fans because Sony Ericsson is known for producing well-designed phones. But executives from Sony Ericsson said they aren't in a rush to get a device out to market, and it would be "some time" before they released an Android-powered smartphone.

"It does require a lot of evaluation, as well as a lot of testing, a lot of acceptance from a consumer viewpoint, and there is still some time to go," said CEO Hideki Komiyama in an interview with Reuters. "Looking ahead I think that we see this as one of the important operating systems, there is no doubt."

The company wants to create a unique user experience and user interface for its Android device, Komiyama said. This is possible because the Linux-based operating system is open source, and it could help Sony Ericsson's smartphone stand out from offerings by rivals like Samsung, HTC, Motorola, and Asus-Garmin.

The Google-backed mobile operating system is still popular with developers, but it doesn't have a huge adoption rate among consumers because the T-Mobile G1 is the only commercially available handset. That could change by the end of the year though, as many expect a slate of Android smartphones to hit the market.

Sony Ericsson needs a hit handset because it is reeling from the economic slowdown, and it recently lost $387 million in the first quarter. It will not rely on Android alone though, as it will continue to make smartphones with Windows Mobile and Symbian

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