I am curious if I will be able to equip my companions with armor and weapons I have acquired through my adventures with or without them. It would be cool so your companions have a higher chance of surviving battles. Especially, when dealing with dragons.

Since I would imagine they are borrowing scripting assets and knowledge from Fallout 3 I'd imagine you will have some way to access your companions inventories to give them clothing or armor to wear.

I am pretty sure I read in some interview, or watched the videos, where Todd Howard said you don't choose their equipment and you cannot load them up with things, but you can give them tasks.

However, your wife/husband can carry things for you.

I guess the greatest advantage to being married in Skyrim is so you have a pack-mule, lol.