Productopia: The ConsumerSearch Blog

Can you trust online reviews?

Carl Laron — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 21:47:18 +0000

The issue of fake user reviews is nothing new. We blogged about it back in 2009 after a Wall Street Journal article exposed the practice by certain companies of having employees post favorable write ups to user-review sites, such as Amazon.com. Now, The New York Times has shed some light on something new, yet still the same: offering real customers financial incentives to write positive reviews -- in this case getting their product for free. Does this latest black eye for user-written reviews mean that it's time to start ignoring them? Follow us after the jump for our take.

DOT tries to put the "fair" in airfare pricing

Jillian Ryan — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 21:00:11 +0000

Earlier this week I booked a flight from New York to Miami. Even though JetBlue only flies to the nearby Fort Lauderdale, I couldn't pass up the advertisement in an e-mail sent to me: Book Today, $89 each way from JFK. When I went online to look up fares, I did not see that fantastic rate; instead the fares were through the roof with the flights I wanted ringing up to $500 round trip. I didn't note the little asterisk (pictured at left in the screenshot from my e-mail), which referred me to a very lengthy paragraph entitled "Taxes, Fees and Restrictions."

Hopefully that's the last I'll see of miseading airfare offers. Earlier this week, the Department of Transportation issued a release outlining new regulations that went into affect Jan. 27. Two important parts of the new rules: Taxes and fees now must be included as part of the advertised price, and baggage fees must be clearly disclosed up front. "Airline passengers have rights, and they should be able to expect fair and reasonable treatment when booking a trip and when they fly," U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said in the statement.

A sneak peak: the International Home and Housewares Show

Davida Hogan — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 15:41:07 +0000

Last week we attended the press preview for the International Home and Housewares Show. The show, which we will be attending (stayed tuned for blogs and video coverage), takes place in Chicago from March 10th-13th. At the preview we got a sneak peak of some interesting new product launches, below are a few noteworthy ones.

Insulated food carriers and Kia models recalled, plus salmonella in sprouts and salts

Rita Colorito — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 20:23:57 +0000

Keeping your lunch cold keeps you healthy, unless it's packed in one of two recalled California Innovations insulated food carriers whose gel packs can leak, posing a poisoning hazard. Other things you don't want to ingest: LEASA Brand alfalfa sprouts and Jones' Seasonings mock salts, because of possible salmonella contamination; and Price Chopper shredded taco cheese which also may contain shredded plastic fragments. And, in other recall news, Kia recalled certain Optimas and Rondas because the driver's airbag may not deploy in a crash. Read below for these and other recalls.

Stopping junk mail

Kelly Anne Fitzpatrick — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 18:06:06 +0000

"Neither snow nor rain nor heat or gloom" prevent U.S. mail carriers from delivering roughly 213 billion pieces of mail every year, according to the Today show. However, a quick glance in your mailbox should give you an idea of how much of that mail is plain old junk: advertising, credit card offers, catalogs, brochures, coupons, and a hundred other things we never request or read. So in the spirit of a fresh new start, I'm setting out to give my mailbox a lighter load by banishing unwanted junk mail.

Where to mount a plasma or LCD TV

Carl Laron — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 18:06:39 +0000

So you've picked out the perfect flat-screen LCD TV or plasma TV. You've even picked out the perfect TV wall mount to hang it on a wall. But have you picked out the perfect place to put your new TV? Experts -- ourselves included -- often wax poetically about the outstanding picture quality of top-performing TVs. However, the truth of the matter is that no matter how perfect the image, factors such as seating distances, TV height and more can conspire to ruin the viewing experience. Here's what you need to know.

Why this fitness editor cancelled her gym membership

Carey Rossi — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 21:51:38 +0000

During this month when many are taking steps to give their 2012 better-body resolutions a go, I cancelled my gym membership. It isn't a decision that I took lightly; especially since I built a career uncovering the latest fitness trends and my gym card was the key that unlocked an office with a view for years. But like many forging through this economic maelstrom, I wondered if the expense was worth it.

Can Siri's chatter talk iPhone 4S owners into using more data?

Brad Chacos — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 15:36:42 +0000

Even if Apple products don't tickle your taste buds, there's a good chance you've heard of Siri, the helpful voice-activated virtual assistant built into the iPhone 4S. Siri can keep track of your appointments, forecast weather, and even help you dump a dead body - but could her friendly nature carry a hidden cost? That's what some tech pundits trumpeted after a study claimed that iPhone 4S owners consume roughly three times as much data as iPhone 3G users. Will Siri's jib-jabbering cost you big in overage fees? Let's dig into some details and find out.

BMW Minis, space heaters, and floor lamps recalled: They can leave you burned

Rita Colorito — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 21:26:51 +0000

In these cold and dreary days, some products you're better off without. Honeywell portable electric heaters were recalled because they pose a burn hazard, while Big Lots recalled some 44,000 floor lamps because they pose a shock hazard. And BMW recalled several makes and models of its Mini because the circuit board can malfunction and overheat, causing a vehicle fire.

SOPA legislation; What it is, why it's controversial and what it could mean to you

Brad Chacos — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 19:34:53 +0000

Stopping online piracy: who could be against that? It's like protesting kittens -- it just doesn't make sense. But a copyright protection bill working its way throughout the U.S. House of Representatives -- the Stop Online Piracy Act, or SOPA -- has hordes of people up in arms, including the American Society of News Editors and major tech companies like Google, AOL, eBay, LinkedIn and PayPal. So what is SOPA? Why do some loathe it and others love it? Most importantly of all, what does it mean to you?

Zappos hacked: What it means for consumers

Kelly Anne Fitzpatrick — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 21:51:31 +0000

Hackers accessed sensitive user information, online retailer Zappos.com told customers and employees Sunday. Not only did the breach reveal 24 million customers' phone numbers and email, shipping, and billing addresses, but the hackers also retrieved usernames, passwords, and partial credit card numbers. And if that login information is similar to identifiers used at other sites, users may be at risk for identity theft, Stephen B. Wicker, professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Cornell University, said in a prepared statement.

Eyeing new technology: Computing at a glance

Lori Soard — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 15:07:03 +0000

Eye-tracking software, Gaze, from Tobii Technology, allows computer users to navigate to a website with a glance, blow up asteroids in a game with a head nod, or scroll through photo slideshows without ever clicking a mouse.

Up until now, eye-tracking technology was cumbersome, but according to Mashable, this is all about to change with the new Tobii innovations. Debuting at CES in Las Vegas last week, the screen now tracks both head and eye movements, combining both to direct the computer to do what the user wishes. Attendees were able to test it out. A game similar to Asteroids was available and users could explode asteroids simply by staring at them and navigate the joystick with their gaze.

Still spinning after CES: SpinKiX

Lori Soard — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 17:54:55 +0000

If you are into personal transportation (think Segway), then make way for SpinKix, motorized skates that strap to your regular athletic shoes and allow you to travel at speeds approaching 10 mph. Debuting last week at CES, the shoes are intended for those at least 16 years of age and under 180 pounds. They are a bit big at 9-inches wide, 9.5-inches long and 10.5-inches high, but each shoe is equipped with a battery pack and motor. Plus they even come with training wheels, for beginners.

Does diet matter for kids with ADHD? Depends.

Rita Colorito — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 16:42:34 +0000

With the recent shortages of ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) drugs, the role that diet can play is a hot topic. It's also highly controversial -- nearly as much so as the role of vaccinations on autism -- with many parents firmly entrenched in the "diet matters" camp and others convinced what those with ADHD eat makes no difference.

Canned food consumption may pose health risk

Rita Colorito — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 15:36:07 +0000

Canned soup manufacturers market their product as everything from a quick, nutritious meal for kids, to instant flavor for recipes, to an easy food option for dieters counting calories. But regular consumers of canned soups, and other canned products, could be paying for that convenience with their health.

Get your fresh-from-the-salon look at home

Michelle Vongphakdy — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 15:36:08 +0000

I love the fresh boost of confidence that comes with a new haircut. It makes me feel almost like I'm starting over and anything is possible. But, quite often that fresh-out-of-the-salon look doesn't carry over into the next day when I have to fix my hair all by myself. And unless you have mad hairstyling skills, I'm betting that you've experienced the same thing. So, why is it that your hair doesn't look the same as it did in the salon... even when you try your hardest to recreate the style?

Dunk-proof phone and tablet debut at CES

Lori Soard — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 20:28:50 +0000

If you haven't yet dropped your phone in the toilet, there's a pretty good chance you will. According to 2011 Google survey, 39% of us take our phones into the bathroom with us; and a separate survey commissioned by Plaxo found that 19% of us have dropped them in the toilet. Enter the Fujitsu waterproof Android smartphone and tablet computer unveiled this week at CES. Product reps demonstrated these water-resistant gadgets by dunking them into a bowl of water for 30 minutes.

What items do fitness editors keep in their gym bags?

Carey Rossi — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 18:16:42 +0000

The New Year is here and the gym and running paths are more crowded. The slew of New Year, New You hopefuls is hitting a crescendo. If you are one of them, outfitting your efforts may seem overwhelming as there are a slew of athletic companies vying for your motivation-to-move dollar.

Fitness editors test a slew of pants, shorts, shoes, weight lifting gloves, sports bras and tops, any new fitness gadget and even socks. So ConsumerSearch asked them: Which items have become a staple in your gym bag and why?

Call to action: FDA bans certain antibiotics use in livestock

Rita Colorito — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 15:09:27 +0000

For consumers concerned over antibiotics in the food supply, there's some good news around the kitchen table: The Food and Drug Administration recently announced a ban on a certain class of antibiotics used in livestock, known as cephalosporins, in an effort to curb antibiotic-resistant microbes in humans. Effective April 5, 2012, cephalosporins will be prohibited for use in cattle, swine, chickens and turkeys.

DIY: Turn your treadmill into a desk

Lisa Maloney — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 15:14:36 +0000

Treadmill desks are gaining popularity, thanks in part to studies warning that sitting for long periods increases your risk of death from cardiovascular disease. Purpose-made treadmill desks often cost thousands of dollars and are limited, at best, for fitness applications. But if you already have (or are planning to buy) a regular treadmill, you can get the best of both worlds by turning it into a part-time desk.

Treadmill maintenance 101

Lisa Maloney — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 14:11:50 +0000

Treadmills are like dogs: They thrive on regular attention. In fact, if you don't give your treadmill the care it needs -- that is, preventative maintenance -- you may even void the warranty. We queried two industry experts to find out how to keep your fitness investment running for a long time.

Recall recap: Ford Escape, Target flashlights, IKEA highchairs and useless bicycle helmets

Rita Colorito — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 22:38:32 +0000

Problems with older models prompted Ford Motor Company to issue two massive recalls of Ford Escape, Freestar and Mercury Monterey vehicles. And some recalled products did the exact opposite of what they are designed to do: Target recalled flashlight sets for posing a fire hazard; IKEA recalled highchairs for fall hazard; and Triple Eight recalled children's bike helmets for failing to meet impact resistance standards. For more on these and other recalls, read on.

Canon's G1x: a new kind of compact camera

Molly McLaughlin — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 16:32:47 +0000

With smartphones chipping away at the low end of the compact digital camera market, manufacturers makers have been expanding their offerings in an effort to fill the gap between entry level point-and-shoot cameras and Digital SLRs. Panasonic and Olympus collaborated on the Micro Four Thirds standard, releasing a series of compact cameras with interchangeable lenses. Samsung and Sony followed suit, with their own interchangeable lens compacts. Nikon got in the action too, with its 1-series of cameras. And at CES this year, Fuji launched its interchangeable-lens compact, the X-Pro1.

Justin Beiber unveils musical bot at CES

Molly McLaughlin — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 19:06:47 +0000

Who better to unveil a tween-focused musical robot than Justin Beiber? The pop star was on hand at Tosy Robotics' booth at CES to help them launch their latest robotic creation: mRobo Ultra Bass. (Their booth was immediately swarmed by a mix of photographers, reporters and excited fans and parents of fans.) Beiber, of course, had nothing to do with the making of the robot - but the company is hoping his fans will be excited about this versatile bot.

mRobo is a portable speaker with 2 GB of internal memory, so he can store up to about 500 songs. Once you hit play, on the included remote control, mRobo will "hear" the music and transform into a robot that can dance to the beat.

Nest - a smart thermostat

Molly McLaughlin — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 15:56:18 +0000

Wouldn't it be great if your house or apartment were always the ideal temperature? We've all had those moments where our home is too stuffy on a mild winter day or drafty on an unseasonably cold spring evening - so imagine if your thermostat could not only learn what temperature you like to keep your home, but also know what the weather is like outside. That's what Nest is all about, a stylish(!) thermostat that was on display at CES, alongside digital cameras, cell phones, HDTVs and more.