Apple's $1B award could ignite its competition

You cant count Samsung out. It is massive. A billion dollars is a lot of money, but Samsung reported $41.5 billion in revenue and $4.5 billion in profit for just the second quarter. Some say Samsung doesn't brush its teeth in the morning, they sharpen them. The verdict could very well be the heat that forges Samsung to produce the kind of mind blowing innovation that might make Apple regret the decision.

One quiet winner in the wake of the trial could be Nokia and other Windows Phone devices - which Samsung also makes.

Android not doomed yet
Steve Jobs said, "I'm going to destroy Android, because it’s a stolen product. I’m willing to go to thermonuclear war on this." Google has distanced itself from the dispute probably hoping to keep Android from taking direct hits.  Google's take on the case is that most of these don't relate to the core Android operating system. So far Apple hasn't shown any cards that indicate a legal fight directly on Android.

Brand image for Apple and Samsung
Before computing it was General Motors versus Ford Motor Co. that got people boiling.

Not so long ago Samsung's TV ads portrayed iPhone fans as senseless sheep. Extending the verdict, they were urging consumers to not be lemmings by buying an iPhone copy instead.

The trial stirred the fanboys of both Samsung and Apple camps, but had little sway loyalty.  What effect does it have on brand nomads? Will Samsung be perceived as an iPhone imitator or will Apple be  seen as a patent bully?

Lookout Apple
If upheld the $1 billion in damages is equal to about 1.5 percent of Samsung's annual revenue. Apple may have awakened a sleeping giant. Google may have been fairly quiet on the sideline this time, but don't expect it to roll over if it comes down to an iOS vesus Android case.