Keep in mind, the TV is at the center of living rooms around the globe, and an Apple TV would likely be a big hit, in our view.

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As they do every year, heads of state from across the globe are descending on the Big Apple to participate in the proceedings.

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As these emerging countries modernize, they will help Apple and Android further expand their penetration around the globe.

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While Ford and Apple will probably tell investors the most about economic conditions around the globe, there two other consumer companies that bear watching in the coming week.

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In Apple's case, its beloved iPod seems to be a globe-sized target for attacks (and lawsuits), and just a day after the company laid blame to Windows for "not being hardy enough against viruses" found on recently shipped 5.5G 'Pods, Microsoft is firing back with its own harsh criticisms.

ENGADGET: Microsoft blames Apple's "quality checks" for iPod virus

Apple was able to rapidly scale its sales of iPods, iPhones, and iPads across the globe.

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While Apple has already confirmed that it has sold 2 million iPhone 5s, and retailers around the globe detail best ever pre-order records, Microsoft is hoping people will wait.

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