Stories about: Adidas

Sun isn't shy about taking advantage of new Internet technologies -- it was one of the first firms to launch employee blogs -- so it wasn't too surprising to see the server maker become the first Fortune 500 company to hold a press conference in the virtual world of Second Life (http://www.secondlife.com).

World Cup soccer players should be happy: A new chip-enabled soccer ball won't be ready for use at the World Cup soccer tournament in Germany this June, according to the Federration Internationale de Football Association (FIFA).

World Cup soccer tournaments have traditionally been used to help launch new technologies, such as color television and wireless communications. This year's event in Germany is no exception -- even if a couple of promising technologies such as a chip-enabled soccer ball and broadcast mobile TV will miss the kickoff.

The need to improve materials handling, inventory management and asset management processes is driving use of wireless technologies in the manufacturing sector. But cost and complexity are keeping the pace of adoption slow, experts say.

Macromedia's technology agenda is focused on boosting Web-based video experiences, according to company officials at the Flashforward2005 conference.

Content delivery specialist Akamai Technologies, which pioneered the business of speeding content across the Internet, is cutting more than a quarter of its workforce as it strives for profitability in the sluggish economy.

After jumping into the Web hosting market at its height, Intel Corp. and Loudcloud Inc. are the latest companies to bow out of the increasingly competitive evolving market.

Pandesic LLC, a joint venture between Intel Corp. (INTC) and German software firm SAP AG, which helps companies build and run e-commerce sites, said Friday that it will shut down because it doesn't expect to turn a profit.

Boo who? After just six months in operation, Boo.com's board of directors closed up shop last week, placing the online fashion retailer into receivership. Having burned through an estimated $120 million, the company fell into the hands of liquidators and U.K. courts. The rapid demise of the high-profile retailer sent shock waves through the e-commerce world, as Boo's fall was seen as a potential harbinger of a broader shakeout in Europe. Indeed, Boo isn't the only scary sign out there.

The traditional company store is making its way to the corporate intranet in the form of reciprocal marketing deals struck between business partners looking to capitalize on access to burgeoning employee buying networks.