Samsung has decided to hit back, immediately after the US$1 billion fine awarded in US courts through infringement of Apple patents, by unveiling it's new smartphone, the Galaxy Note, at the pre show opening of the IFA consumer electronics event in Berlin.

Strategically trying to steal some of the thunder from the Apple products due to be announced in the very near future and also from Nokia's Lumia range. And maintain the lead it has over these companies in the smartphone market, once so heavily dominated by Nokia. Catching Apple up in the tablet market is another story though.

With all the major manufacturers exhibiting and timing their product launches for this event, there should be a whole raft of product launches over the next week or so.