Our more computer-savvy cousins over at Consumer Reports are out with their first look at Apple’s iPad 2, and tester Dean Gallea has pronounced it a “very good choice” if you’re looking for a tablet computer. [More]
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A Reader's Story Of Woe, Humiliation, And The iPad 2
By 3.14.11
All this Consumerist reader wanted was to pick up a new iPad 2, bring it home and spend time playing with Apple’s latest technology. But he was thwarted, humiliated and bummed out by his efforts, as he sends in his anonymous tale of woe. [More]
AT&T Rolls Back Free Rollover Minutes For Some
By 3.3.11
Looks like AT&T is rescinding the 1000 free rollover minute offer for some of the people people who tried to jump on it. [More]
Craigslist Isn't Giving Away $1000 Apple Gift Cards, Either
By 3.2.11
We’ve already established that Craigslist isn’t giving away free iPads to randomly selected people who post ads. But the weird scam just keeps going. Uyen first received the “Free iPad” e-mail after posting an ad on Craigslist, but realized that it was clearly too good to be true, did some research, and found Consumerist. Yay! Then someone–no one is quite sure who–sent a follow-up e-mail with a different, but inexplicably more lucrative deal. Sorry, kids, but cynical Uyen is right: this one’s too good to be true, too. [More]
Apple Announces iPad 2
By 3.2.11
Apple guru Steve Jobs received a standing ovation at the company’s latest press conference. As expected, the company announced the new generation of its popular tablet computer, the iPad. [More]
Verizon Looking To Introduce Tiered iPhone Pricing Plans In Mid-Summer
By 3.1.11
When Verizon released its version of the iPhone last month, it said the unlimited data plan required to use the phone would eventually give way to tiered pricing though the company refused to put a timeline on it. Now, Verizon is being slightly more specific about its plans. [More]
Who Sucks The Most, AT&T Or Verizon? Vote With Your Gum
By 2.28.11
Instead of spitting their gum on the sidewalk like usual, people are using it to vote whether AT&T or Verizon sucks more. “Gum Election” is a project where people download a free poster off this site, post it out on the street, and people stick their gum on the entity that “sucks the most.” Early results based off a poster hung up on Lafayette Street in New York favor AT&T. [More]
Consumer Reports Can't Recommend Verizon iPhone
By 2.25.11
Our cousins-in-arms at Consumer Reports have finished their tests on the Verizon iPhone and found that, just like the AT&T version of the iPhone 4, it offers great multimedia functionality, a sharp screen and one heck of an MP3 player. Unfortunately, when used without a case, it also shares its predecessor’s problem of dropping calls and weak signals. [More]
Apple Store Employee: Stop Asking Me About The Next iPhone
By 2.18.11
Over at Popular Mechanics, they spoke to an anonymous Apple Store employee to get the inside scoop on what it’s like working at the iPhone emporium. And the main thing he seems to want people to know is that he knows absolutely nothing about what the company is doing next. [More]
AT&T Bribes Users With 1000 Free Rollover Minutes
By 2.14.11
The latest salvo in the AT&T and Verizon Cola Wars was for Big Blue to bribe all its users into staying with a surprise gift of 1000 bonus rollover minutes. Some users thought the text message announcing the free minutes was some kind of spam or scam – and who could blame them? – but it was definitely sent out by AT&T, as confirmed to Consumerist by AT&T PR. They said, “It’s real – we’ve done this before…it’s a way of thanking our customers.” If you didn’t get the text, some users, even those who weren’t targeted by the initial blast, have reported the free minutes showing up on their account after texting “yes” to 11113020. [More]
Man Suing Walmart Claims They Sold Him A Fake iPad And Refused To Refund His Money
By 2.14.11
A man in Georgia is suing Walmart, claiming a store sold him a fake iPad. As the reporter from WSBTV says, “iPad? More like a Lie Pad!” Zing! [More]
Starbucks Recommends iPhone App Users Enable Password Lock
By 2.10.11
Reached for comment about concerns that people could steal your Starbucks Reward card by taking a screenshot of it as it appears on the iPhone app, a Starbucks spokesperson told Consumerist, “We definitely want our customers to have a good experience with mobile payment. We take security seriously.” They also recommended customers take additional safety measures and offered a solution for anyone who had their card stolen. [More]
Only 8 People Waited In Line For The Verizon iPhone At Apple's Flagship NYC Store
By 2.10.11
CNN Money reports that a paltry eight people were lined up before doors opened at Apple’s big glass cube in New York City this morning to get their mittened hands on the new Verizon iPhone 4. Those numbers are a stark contrast to the thousands who showed up in June when the AT&T iPhone 4 went on sale. That it was about 11 degrees with the wind chill probably had something to do with the sparse turnout. [More]
Crooks Can Make You Pay For Their Starbucks With Simple Screengrab
By 2.10.11
Researchers have discovered a security flaw in the new Starbucks Rewards Card iPhone app that could let someone else rack up a bunch of free coffees on your dime. All someone has to do is take a picture of your barcode and then they can use it to buy all the delicious black swill they want, draining your account to the last drop. [More]
AT&T Launches Unlimited Calling to Any Mobile
By 2.10.11
AT&T will let you make unlimited calls to any mobile phone on any network for free, as long as you are already have unlimited messaging ($20 for individuals, $30 for FamilyTalk plans) and are in a qualifying voice plan. After enrolling in Mobile to Any Mobile Calling, dialing another cellphone won’t use up your minutes. Coming on the same day that the Verizon iPhone goes on sale, it looks like AT&T is making a play to try to keep budget-conscious customers from exiting. More info at att.com/anymobile. [More]
8-Year-Old Girl Racks Up $1,400 Bill Playing "Smurfs Village" iPad Game
By 2.9.11
A 2nd-grader managed to rack up a $1,400 bill for her parents over break while playing the “Smurfs Village”, a Farmville-esque iPad game, reports the Washington Post. Like many of these app-based games, the game is free but you can purchase in-app upgrades, with real money, to speed your progress. In this case, you can get a “bucket of snowflakes” for $19 or a “wagon of smurfberries” for $99. Needless to say, her mother became quite blue in the face. [More]
Netflix Tops Customer Loyalty List
By 2.9.11
The results of Brand Keys’ annual survey of customer loyalty have been released and in its first year of inclusion, Netflix came out on top of the list of all 528 brands, beating out reigning champ Apple. [More]
Google Shopper App Recognizes Products By Their Cover
By 2.7.11
Google has jumped into the shopping app fray with “Google Shopper,” which stands out from the crowd by being able to id products by their cover art. The feature works on book, CD, DVD, and video game covers. You can also search by voice, along with the usual barcode scanning, local pricematching and the ability to save items. If you’re a RedLaser fan, this could be a serious contender to replace it on your home screen. The app is free and available on both Android and iOS. [More]
