Drills, sledgehammers, saws, battering rams… Just because our scientific siblings at Consumer Reports wear lab coats doesn’t mean they don’t know how to go medieval when the situation requires. [More]
consumer reports
Consumer Reports: Apple iPad 2 Is A "Very Good Choice"
By 3.14.11
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]
Ex-Girlfriend Auctions Off Sheen's Inscribed Consumer Reports Drug Reference Book
By 3.11.11
Charlie Sheen is a prolific, and apparently, very informed consumer of substances. In a recent Inside Edition interview, his former girlfriend Ginger Lynn brought out a copy of publishing pal Consumer Reports book The Complete Drug Reference that he inscribed and gave to her when they were dating back in the early 90’s. It reads, “To Ging, From one Druggie To Another. Love, C.” The book is going for $1,000 but that’s silly, you can get all the prescription drug information you need at Consumer Reports Health, and you don’t even need to be an extra-dimensional warlock to use it. [More]
Get Breaking Texts About Product Recalls That Impact Kid's Lives
By 3.11.11
You could have recalled products in your home or school that put children’s lives at risk. But by texting “SAFE” to 76666, Consumer Reports will text you a daily digest of the latest breaking and relevant product recalls right to your mobile device. With it, you’ll never be the last one at the punch bowl to know about the latest salmonella-tainted peanut butter or strangulation hazard sweatshirt drawstring. The service has no charge, but message and data rates from your wireless provider may apply. [More]
LaHood Highlights Distracted Driving Risks, Launches Guide
By 3.7.11
Surrounded by family members of distracted driving victims, Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood announced a new pamphlet designed to highlight the “deadly epidemic” of inattentive driving. Among those joining LaHood in his presentation at Consumers Union was Melissa Dinges, whose sister, Angelina, was walking with two of her friends along a pedestrian walkway just three houses away from her home in California when she was hit from behind by a truck driven by an 18-year-old woman. The driver had been typing a text message before the accident. Angelina’s two friends survived, but sadly, she did not. [More]
Consumer Reports Announces Its Top Car Picks For 2011
By 2.28.11
Our test-happy kin at Consumer Reports have released their annual auto issue, which means it’s time for the magazine’s list of its top picks in 10 categories. [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]
Best Buy's "Buy Back" Program Isn't Exactly A Great Deal
By 2.10.11
When we first broke the news about Best Buy’s new buy back program, we hypothesized that it probably wouldn’t be the wisest investment you could ever make. Now our labcoat-loving cousins at Consumer Reports have confirmed our suspicions. [More]
How About A Very Good Sparkling Rosé For Only $8?
By 2.7.11
Consumer Reports recently dipped their snifters into a batch of sparkling rosés and found that you don’t have to spend much green to get one that will keep you in the pink. [More]
Consumer Reports Devours 800 Slices Of Frozen Pizza So You Don't Have To
By 2.4.11
In addition to the millions of slices of pizza being delivered and picked up from pizzerias around the country on Super Bowl Sunday, plenty of football-watching folks will be tossing a frozen pie in to the oven. For those still wondering which frozen pizza to purchase, the labcoat-lovin’ testers at Consumer Reports recently pigged out on the stuff, with surprising results. [More]
Is Verizon's Unlimited iPhone Data Plan Worth It?
By 1.25.11
Earlier today, Verizon announced that — at least for now — they’ll be offering unlimited data plans to its iPhone users for $30/month. But the question is: Do you need it? [More]
If Your Snowblower Clogs Too Easily, Check The Shear Pin
By 1.21.11
If your snowblower seems to be clogging up all the time, rather than curse the gods you may want to check to see if the shear pin snapped off. [More]
We Are Deluded About Our Own Obesity
By 1.4.11
The Consumer Reports National Research Center recently surveyed a national sample of 1,234 U.S. adults about their eating habits and how they maintained a healthy diet. The results? We think we’re eating healthier than we are, and we’re in denial about our own obesity. [More]
Get Consumer Reports Mobile Shopper App For Only $4.99 Through Dec 31
By 12.29.10
(iOS4 only) For a limited time, you can get a one-year subscription to the Consumer Reports Mobile Shopper App for only $4.99, now through December 31. It’s a sweet way to get Consumer Reports ratings and reviews on-the-go—perfect for when you’re trying to figure out what to exchange gifts for when you’re in the store. The price will bump up to $14.99 after Jan 1, so now’s a great time to give it a shot if you’ve been holding out. [More]
Is An IOU An Acceptable Alternative To An Actual Gift?
By 12.22.10
With just four days left until Christmas, it may be time to admit you’re going to end up stiffing someone. You could just do what I do: just purr and let them give you gifts. If that’s not an option for you, there are other choices. According to a new poll from our calculating cousins at Consumer Reports, about half of the people who don’t finish their gift shopping in time give IOUs instead. [More]
Who Should I Tip During The Holidays And How Much?
By 12.20.10
I’ve left strict word upstairs that the cat-sitter must be tipped well. So far, it’s worked. The fancy food comes out, the litter box is kept extra clean, and I even get to sleep in the master bedroom. But not everyone is so generous with their cash. [More]
You Care About Recalls, But Can't Find Out About Them
By 12.16.10
According to a new poll by our careful cousins at Consumer Reports, most Americans are concerned about product recalls, but don’t believe they’re getting enough information about them. Only 13% said they were very confident that they were getting enough information about recalls from manufacturers and retailers. And just 8% were very confident that the government was getting enough information from those companies. [More]
Co-workers Give The Worst Christmas Gifts
By 12.16.10
If you think your boss or colleagues have deliberately gone out of their way to bestow the worst possible holiday gifts on you year after year, you’re in good company. According to a new survey from our scientific siblings at Consumer Reports, about 30% of employed adults single out co-workers or bosses as the worst gift-givers. [More]
