The Markr: 2006-05-14

Worldwide iPod and iBook Cost Comparison

BusinessWeek did a comparison study on the costs of the iPod and iBook in countries around the world. Their findings demonstrated a large price difference in these products worldwide. For instance, in Apple's 4GB iPod Nano costs $249 here in the US. In other countries it would cost (adjusted into US dollars, for comparison) $592 in Argentina, $286 in London, $248 in Tokyo, $299 in Shanghai and $299 in Moscow.

The iBook is similar, with NYC still coming in cheapest at $999 and Buenos Aires topping the charts for a whopping $1480. Looks like Apple's products are quite expensive in South America!

(Via Gizmodo)

Awesome Ad Campaign

Check out the ad on the side of this coffee vending machine. It's a print ad for the German job site Jobsintown.de. This series of ads are placed on the sides of different vending machines, making it look like someone is sitting inside making coffee or doing whatever task the machine automates.

Pretty inventive; I love it.

(Via Fosfor.se)

Michael Wolf’s Architecture of Density

Check out Michael Wolf’s photographs of Hong Kong in a series entitled the "Architecture of Density". It'll put a whole new perspective on close-quarters living.

(Via Neatorama)

The sound a cat makes

Languages express sounds differently. Looking at the sounds a cat makes, according to different langues, paints a colorful picture and describes this well.

Cat
Danish: miav
Dutch: miauw
English: meow
Finnish: miau
French: miaou
German: miau
Greek: miaou
Hebrew: miyau
Hungarian: miau
Italian: miau
Japanese: nyan nyan/nyaa nyaa
Russian: miyau
Spanish: miao
Swedish: mjan mjan
Turkish: miyav
Urdu: meow

For more animal noises, check out Derek Abbott's Animal Noise Page.

(Via Boing Boing)

Google Maps + Fast Food

Want to know where the nearest fast food burger joint is to you or in a city you'll be in soon? Check out this great mashup of Google Maps and the locations of over 27,000 fast food restaurants (McDonald's, Burger King, Jack in the Box).

(Via Curbed)

Mariah Carey - Pepsi Ad

Courtesy of TMZ.com is Mariah Carey's new Pepsi TV commerical premiering May 15, 2006.

CLICK HERE to watch.

Mariah will also write and produce 20 exclusive ringtones and star in more TV commercials to promote Pepsi.

(Via Faded Youth)

Madonna - Retouched

Check out the promo pic for Madonna's 'Sorry' single. What a great job of retouching!

(Via Faded Youth)

The Art of Retouching Photos

It's common knowledge that most celebrity pictures not taken by paparazzi have been retouched, made better than they really are. Retouching photos takes both artistry and skill, two qualities found in master retoucher Glenn Feron. The before and after images are amazing. Check out his portfolio filled with famous celebrity images that have been enhanced, uplifted and transformed by his touch - The Art of Retouching.

(Via CityRag)

Amazing Photography - Rarindra Prakarsa

Check out the amazing photos by Rarindra Prakarsa. Each picture is stunning with amazing depth, color, clarity and composition.

The above photo is titled "Golden Moment" and was taken in Jakarta, Indonesia.

(Via Neatorama)

Dance Dance Revolution to become a CBS TV series

Dance Dance Revolution, or DDR (known as Dancing Stage in Europe) will soon become a Saturday morning television series on CBS.

In "Dance Revolution", 'tweens' and teens bring their freshest moves to this
sensational new dance competition where teams of dancers display their
innovative routines. Hosted by the charismatic "Dance Revolution" house band,
kid-friendly judges determine the winners as the dancers perform their routines
to the cool sounds of the band. "Dance Revolution" will also offer onscreen
visuals that constantly encourage viewer participation by demonstrating specific
dance moves and steps.

See full news story/press release here.

(Via Boing Boing)

Worldmapper's Collection of Maps

Worldmapper's tagline, "the world as you've never seen it before" is a fitting description. Worldmapper is a collection of world maps, where territories are re-sized on each map according to the subject of interest. An update to their site, with more maps and information is due to be added in 2006.

Worldmapper has (or plans to have) maps in the following categories: