Research

APPLE

Description

Apple aims for nothing short of a revolution, whether in personal computing or digital media distribution. The company's desktop and laptop computers -- all of which feature its OS X operating system -- include its Mac mini, iMac, and MacBook for the consumer and education markets, and more powerful Mac Pro and MacBook Pro for high-end consumers and professionals involved in design and publishing. Apple scored a runaway hit with its digital music players (iPod) and online music store (iTunes). Other products include mobile phones (iPhone), servers (Xserve), wireless networking equipment (AirPort), and publishing and multimedia software. Apple gets more than half of its sales in the US.

Adidas

Description

Jesse Owens and Muhammad Ali broke records in their adidas athletic shoes. The heart of the adidas product line is athletic shoes, but the three-stripe logo appears on apparel and other jock accoutrements. As the #2 maker of sporting goods worldwide, behind NIKE, it has inked deals with football and basketball athletes, as well as the New York Yankees, and it serves golfers through its TaylorMade-adidas Golf. The company, which has more than 1,150 retail locations, boasted sponsorship rights to the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. adidas' purchase of Salomon, the French maker of ski and golf gear, was short-lived. The company sold the unit to Amer Sports Corporation and bought Reebok for some $3.8 billion.