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Consumer Reports' Fisker Karma gets fixed, testing resumes, for now

Daniel Cooper — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 15:06:00 EST

Remember Consumer Reports' bought a Fisker Karma that broke down while on the test track? Well after it had made the 200-mile round-trip to the dealership, it turned out the inverter cable and battery were both faulty and replaced them, before fully recharging the vehicle. The car has now been returned to the test track where a full review can begin -- give it a week, and we'll start taking bets on if it actually gets that "recommended" rating.

Consumer Reports' Fisker Karma gets fixed, testing resumes, for now originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 13 Mar 2012 15:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fisker Karma breaks down in CR test, risks that 'recommended' rating (video)

Daniel Cooper — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 18:26:00 EST

Consumer Reports splashed out $107,850 to buy its own Fisker Karma, but before the car had traveled 200 miles, it had broken down. Partway through calibration testing on the CR Track, the car's dashboard began issuing warnings, but when tester Tom Mutchler pulled over to identify the issue, it wouldn't get going again. Mutchler was forced to call the dealership, located 100 miles away, to collect it on a flatbed for repair. It's the first time in memory that the testing organization can recall a vehicle breaking down partway through testing, but when it comes to the Karma, you can only be sure that nothing's too calamitous.

Continue reading Fisker Karma breaks down in CR test, risks that 'recommended' rating (video)

Fisker Karma breaks down in CR test, risks that 'recommended' rating (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 09 Mar 2012 18:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Consumer Reports: Verizon has highest satisfaction rate among major US carriers, AT&T is lowest

Brad Molen — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 02:28:00 EST

It's annual satisfaction survey time for Consumer Reports, and the magazine has a few results to share in anticipation of next month's issue. It appears that regional provider Consumer Cellular topped the charts -- the survey rated scores from 66,000 online subscribers -- though Verizon was ranked the highest out of the four major players for the second year in a row, followed closely by Sprint and T-Mobile. According to the survey, the latter company was still "significantly better" than last-place AT&T. The full results will be published in the January 2012 issue. Your own personal experience with each provider may vary depending on your locale, of course, but 66,000 people have certainly made their voice heard.

Consumer Reports: Verizon has highest satisfaction rate among major US carriers, AT&T is lowest originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 07 Dec 2011 02:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Consumer Reports finds iPhone 4S to have worthwhile antennas, says newer iPhone 4 is still problematic

Darren Murph — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 09:59:00 EST

"Consumer Reports recommends the iPhone 4S." It's only half a dozen words, but to the engineers (and marketers) at Apple, it spells "relief." After being profusely impacted by Consumer Reports' decision to recommend against buying the iPhone 4 due to those Antennagate issues, the entity has allowed all in Cupertino to breath a sigh of relief by effectively declaring the reception issue dead on the newest edition. To quote:

"Apple's newest smart phone performed very well in our tests, and while it closely resembles the iPhone 4 in appearance, it doesn't suffer the reception problem we found in its predecessor in special tests in our labs. In special reception tests of the iPhone 4S that duplicated those we did on the iPhone 4, the newer phone did not display the same reception flaw, which involves a loss of signal strength when you touch a spot on the phone's lower left side while you're in an area with a weak signal. (The iPhone 4, which is still available, continues to exhibit that problem, we confirmed in tests of new samples of the phone. Because of the flaw, we continue to omit the iPhone 4 from our list of recommended models, despite its otherwise fine performance.)"

In other words, even the newer samples of the iPhone 4 (perhaps even that one for Sprint?) continue to have antenna quirks, but at least the latest and greatest seems to have addressed 'em. Hit the source link for the full report.

Consumer Reports finds iPhone 4S to have worthwhile antennas, says newer iPhone 4 is still problematic originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 08 Nov 2011 09:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apple tops J.D. Power customer satisfaction survey, grim reading for RIM and Nokia

Sharif Sakr — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 09:22:00 EST

Not only is Apple shipping the most smartphones, it's also shipping the best smartphones -- if you believe the stats in J.D. Power and Associates' latest US customer satisfaction survey. It gave the iPhone a score of 838, versus HTC's handsets in second place with 801 and an industry average of 788. Sammy got a disappointing 777, but we guess it might have fared better if the Galaxy S II had been quicker to cross the Atlantic. Hapless RIM got shunted into fifth place, having come second in 2010. You'll find plenty more factoids in the PR after the break, including evidence that people just love 4G. Well, we could have told you that.

Continue reading Apple tops J.D. Power customer satisfaction survey, grim reading for RIM and Nokia

Apple tops J.D. Power customer satisfaction survey, grim reading for RIM and Nokia originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 09 Sep 2011 09:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apple deleting mentions of Consumer Reports' iPhone 4 piece on forums, can't delete your thoughts

Paul Miller — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 20:34:00 EST

...or can they? In case Apple has somehow managed to perfect the art of selective disremembrance across a wide population, here's a refresher: Consumer Reports has thrown down the gauntlet, stating that it "can't recommend" the iPhone 4 until the antenna issues are fixed, issues that its labs and ours have verified quite substantially. Apple apparently isn't happy about that, and has taken to deleting threads about the Consumer Reports article from its support forums. Now, Apple deleting threads from its support forums is nothing new; outside of "regular" moderation, the company routinely deletes discussion of hardware flaws that it's not ready to 'fess up to, or just generally negative lines of thought about its products. Good thing the internet's a big place, and if Apple's not going to admit the antenna issue, there are plenty of ways to gripe about it. Feel free to express yourself in the comments below, for instance!

Apple deleting mentions of Consumer Reports' iPhone 4 piece on forums, can't delete your thoughts originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 12 Jul 2010 20:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Consumer Reports confirms iPhone 4 antenna problems -- and so do we

Nilay Patel — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 13:30:00 EST

Although there's never been any question that there's something going on with the iPhone 4's fancy new antenna system, we really haven't seen any rigorous testing confirming that the issue is real, severe, and affects every phone. That just changed: Consumer Reports tested three iPhone 4s and several other AT&T phones in their RF isolation chamber that simulates varying levels of signal from every carrier, and found that the iPhone 4 was the only handset to suffer signal-loss issues. What's more, CR directly says that its findings call Apple's explanation of a miscalculated signal meter into question since the tests "indicate that AT&T's network might not be the primary suspect." CR found that simply putting duct tape over the bottom-left corner is enough to alleviate the issue -- we're guessing that's Jony Ive's worst nightmare -- and says that while the iPhone 4 has the "sharpest display and best video camera" of any phone it's tested, it simply can't recommend the device until Apple comes up with a permanent and free fix to the antenna problem. Ouch.

Of course, we couldn't sit around waiting for someone else to test the iPhone 4 in a more controlled way, so we actually asked our good friend Erica Sadun from TUAW to write us a bespoke signal strength app for iOS 4. Obviously we couldn't submit it to the App Store, but we've been running it on all of our phones here at Engadget and we can independently confirm Consumer Reports' finding that there's a serious signal attenuation issue with the iPhone 4's antenna -- every phone we've tested displays dropped signal when held with the bottom left corner covered. Now, what we don't know is whether that signal attenuation consistently affects call quality and data rates, which we suspect is more directly related to the network in the area; some of our iPhone 4s drop calls and experience low data rates with alarming frequency, while others -- like our review unit -- have almost never dropped a call and have had no data problems. However, now that we've confirmed and clarified that the antenna issue affects every iPhone 4, we can take on the next step, which is sorting out exactly when and where the issue is most severe. Either that, or Apple can do something to actually fix the issue -- we'll just have to wait and see. For now, check our app in action after the break.

Update: To clarify, "here at Engadget" is a virtual location -- our iPhone 4s are actually located across the country in San Francisco, Chicago, and New York, and we saw the app respond that way regardless of location. Dropped calls and other effects weren't as consistent, however, and we're still testing to sort out when the effects of the antenna issue are the most severe.

Continue reading Consumer Reports confirms iPhone 4 antenna problems -- and so do we

Consumer Reports confirms iPhone 4 antenna problems -- and so do we originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 12 Jul 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First 3D showdown pits Samsung vs Panasonic

Ben Drawbaugh — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 13:42:00 EST

Both Samsung and Panasonic started selling 3DTVs with great fanfare this week, but only Consumer Reports bought both and started testing them head to head. This is hardly a full review, but initial impressions seem to confirm what we saw at CES which is that Panasonic's 3D has the edge. To be more specific "in the 3D mode, its (Panasonic's 50-inch VT-20 series) lack of crosstalk and great black levels really made three-dimensional images pop." Of course some will always prefer LCD over plasma, but the initial reviews seem to indicate that plasma's great contrast and super fast response time go a long way in delivering a great 3D experience.

First 3D showdown pits Samsung vs Panasonic originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 13 Mar 2010 13:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung BlackJack II tops Consumer Reports' list of best smartphones

Chris Ziegler — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 08:10:00 EST

Sometimes it's the unsung workhorses that deserve the lion's share of the praise, and that might just be the case with the aging Samsung BlackJack II -- a phone that you probably wouldn't expect to top Consumer Reports' January 2009 ratings of popular smartphones. Sure, it may not be the shiniest device on the market these days, but you've got to admit it's just about as functional as you'd ever need a business-class handset to be with GPS, HSDPA, and WinMo 6.1, which gladly sucks up Exchange accounts until you're blue in the face. When you factor in the fact that it runs just $80 these days on an AT&T contract in a choice of four colors... okay, yeah, we can kinda see it. The iPhone 3G and T-Mobile G1 don't play second fiddle terribly often these days (they were way down in the middle of the Consumer Reports pack in this testing cycle, in fact), so let's just let this old dog have one more moment in the spotlight, shall we?

Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds

Samsung BlackJack II tops Consumer Reports' list of best smartphones originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 18 Dec 2008 08:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung BlackJack II tops Consumer Reports' list of best smartphones

Chris Ziegler — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 08:10:00 EST

Filed under: Handsets, Samsung, ATT, Windows Mobile

Samsung BlackJack II tops Consumer Reports' list of best smartphones originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 18 Dec 2008 08:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Consumer Reports tests the Sony XEL-1 OLED TV

Steven Kim — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 10:31:00 EST

Whether you love 'em, hate 'em or qualify 'em with statements like "great for vacuum cleaners; not so much for HDTVs," you've got to respect that fact that Consumer Reports buys all the goodies it tests. Especially when the item in question is a $2500 Sony XEL-1 OLED TV. Overall, we came to the same conclusion as they did: incredible tech appeal, great picture quality, poor input options and "are you kidding me" size-to-dollar ratio. We'll even overlook the fact that the 960x540 pixels isn't truly HD, because at 11-inches it just doesn't matter. Credit to this little tech jewel for eliciting some verbiage that we don't recall ever seeing before from CR -- "... top of your list-provided, of course, that money is no object." Somehow, we don't picture that "money is no object" crowd flipping through the pages of CR.

Filed under: Reviews, Displays, Sony, OLED

Consumer Reports tests the Sony XEL-1 OLED TV originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 25 Apr 2008 10:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Shocker: people loathe cellphone carriers

Darren Murph — Sat, 08 Dec 2007 11:29:00 EST

We know, we know, it may be difficult to understand how companies that lock you in the moment you decide on a phone / plan -- only to be about as helpful as a bottomless bucket the moment turmoil arises -- could be hated. Nevertheless, we can't say we're shocked at all to hear that cellphone providers are among the least liked in all of the service industries. In a recent report released by the Consumer Reports National Research Center, it was found that "fewer than half of respondents were completely or very satisfied with their cellphone service," and sadly, that's hardly different than in years past. Among the biggest gripes were high prices and mandatory contract extensions, and while pro-rated ETFs are fine and dandy, there's still a few less notable carriers that haven't swallowed that pill just yet. As for internal rankings, Verizon and Alltel each scored higher than the rest, and Sprint was found bringing up the rear.

[Via Wired]
Read - InformationWeek
Read - NYDailyNews

Filed under: Cellphones

Shocker: people loathe cellphone carriers originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 08 Dec 2007 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Shocker: people loathe cellphone carriers

Darren Murph — Sat, 08 Dec 2007 11:29:00 EST

Filed under: Alltel, ATT, Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon Wireless, Studies

Shocker: people loathe cellphone carriers originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 08 Dec 2007 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Consumer Reports' take on HD DVD / Blu-ray players: it's a tie

Darren Murph — Sun, 18 Nov 2007 18:10:00 EST

We've taken a look at a number of Consumer Reports' views in the past, but the latest critiques give format fanboys (hardly) any ammunition to use against their respective rivals. Reportedly, CR evaluated Pioneer's DBP-94HD and Toshiba's HD-XA2, and while we were anxious to see which unit "proved" superior, the fact is that both units garnered an impressive 91-percent rating. Granted, the publication did review a total of nine high-definition players from each camp, but the general feeling was that all of them provided "excellent HD picture quality with high-def discs." In the end, we were told that both sides had their pros and cons; for Blu-ray, it's the wider array of players from various manufacturers, while HD DVD maintains the lead on price. Truth be told, we're not terribly shocked to see both camps getting a fair amount of praise, and while we know there's lots of you out there holding out for one to win the proverbial race, it sounds like we could be waiting a bit longer for the finish line to be crossed.

[Image courtesy of ConsumerReports]

Filed under: Industry, Reviews, Blu-ray, HD DVD, Players, Pioneer, Toshiba

Consumer Reports' take on HD DVD / Blu-ray players: it's a tie originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 18 Nov 2007 18:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bargain HDTV shopping this holiday season

Ben Drawbaugh — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 09:51:00 EST

Despite what we say, many people wait till the holiday season to buy and HDTV -- more specifically Black Friday. There are a few strategies that work, and Consumer Reports' Electronics Blog has a couple of pointers for this holiday season. While the theme to finding a bargain seems to 720p, they really seem to believe Plasmas might offer the better bargain. In fact, DisplaySearch believes you'll be able to find a 42-inch 720p Plasma for as low as $599 on Black Friday, which seems pretty crazy. This is not to say that there won't be any great deals on LCD TVs, but just like that normal debate goes, it's really about size since there aren't many Plasmas under 42-inches. No matter what you end up picking up, you can rest assured that although you missed another entire year of HD, you most certainly saved yourself some money.

Filed under: Industry

Bargain HDTV shopping this holiday season originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 19 Oct 2007 09:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Panasonic's TH-50PZ700U plasma becomes 'best ever tested'

Darren Murph — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 10:17:00 EST

While we've seen Consumer Reports take a gander at a number of HDTVs before, it's been a tick (or maybe "forever" is more fitting) since it's seen "the best flat screen ever tested." Believe it or not, Panasonic's 50-inch TH-50PZ700U plasma was actually the recipient of such sensational praise, and such luxuries as the 1080p resolution (oooh) and its ability to "reproduce the finest details, rich vibrant colors and deep blacks" (aaah) apparently set it way ahead of the pack. Additionally, the screen was so impressive that reviewers actually stated that it "lent an almost three-dimensional look to images," which we figured was only possible with a pair of truly gaudy glasses. Welp, guess we all know which HDTV you're getting next, eh?

Filed under: Displays, HDTV

Panasonic's TH-50PZ700U plasma becomes 'best ever tested' originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 02 Oct 2007 10:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Panasonic's TH-50PZ700U plasma becomes 'best ever tested'

Darren Murph — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 10:17:00 EST

Filed under: Industry, Displays, Panasonic, Plasma

Panasonic's TH-50PZ700U plasma becomes 'best ever tested' originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 02 Oct 2007 10:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Consumer Reports tackles the transition

Ben Drawbaugh — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 12:59:00 EST

A big part of a successful transition to digital TV is educating the average TV viewer; and while we do our best to help out the enthusiast, the burden to inform the rest of America falls on newspapers, and magazines like Consumer Reports. In their attempt to let people know the facts, we'd say they did a pretty good job, -- much better than some of their other HD articles -- but we wished they'd mentioned the benefits at the beginning instead of the end; after all just about everyone is getting an upgrade.

Filed under: Regulatory, Set-top boxes, OTA

Consumer Reports tackles the transition originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 15 Jun 2007 12:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Earth to consumers: extended warranties are a bad deal

Darren Murph — Wed, 15 Nov 2006 16:46:00 EST

It's no secret that you and your loved ones will probably drop some serious coin this holiday season (Black Friday in particular, we're sure), and while future repair costs may cross your mind, Consumer Reports recommends that you brush off that extended warranty those big box retailers will be shoving in your cart. Stores like Best Buy typically don't garner massive profits from just selling the snazzy new LCD or LCoS televisions, but "around 50 percent" of the extended warranty's pricetag goes straight to their pocket, and rarely do consumers need the coverage until after it's up. Studies have shown that most major breakdowns occur after the warranty period expires, and that in most cases, the repairs cost "about the same" anyway. Two potential exceptions were RPTVs and ~~laptops~~ Apple computers. The report stated that RPTVs have erroneously high repair bills and can be difficult to ship / move when the time comes for fixin', and since Apple's machines only come with "90 days of phone support," it was recommended that you pick up that AppleCare box with your purchase. Notably, studies found that notebook damage didn't occur nearly as much as generally believed, especially during the first year or three when the warranty was in effect. Nevertheless, it's estimated that non-savvy consumers will drop a combined $1.6 billion on fruitless warranties this year, so just be sure you're not one of 'em, cool?

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

Earth to consumers: extended warranties are a bad deal originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 15 Nov 2006 16:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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