Consumers Digest’s 2012 Automotive Best Buys
Forty-two recommendations across 12 categories.
Top Tires: Get a Grip
Low-rolling-resistance tires soon might be standardized.
New MPG Labels: Fueling Debate & Controversy
Labels designed to provide a better comparison of how much fuel and energy vehicles consume tend to oversimplify the differences.
May 11, 2012—Ford Motor says its first vehicles to have a full complement of driver-assist technologies will arrive at dealerships in fall 2012.
May 4, 2012—Electric vehicles that can be charged in just 20 minutes will arrive sometime in 2013, automakers tell Consumers Digest.
Washers & Dryers Evolve
Manufacturers are making washing machines more efficient to meet stricter federal standards.
Steam Cleaners: What’s Hot, What’s Not
Don’t get swept away by models that produce the highest temperatures of steam.
Mixing it Up: Blenders, Food Processors & Stand Mixers
Larger capacities and more power are the rule of the day.
May 1, 2012—An iconic, post-World War II appliance brand will be getting a 21st-century upgrade.
April 18, 2012—Three overseas refrigerator manufacturers who faced allegations that they sold bottom-freezer models for less than U.S. market value won’t have to pay tariffs on their products that were imported and sold in the United States.
Headphones: Sound Decisions
Notable innovations are in headphones at all prices.
How to Improve Your Photos & Videos
Editing software has become easier to use.
Notebook Computers: Rise of the Ultrabooks
Consumers can look forward to the emergence of better operating systems, processing chips and storage drives.
May 18, 2012—Twitter announced that it no longer will collect personal information from its users who don’t want their online behavior to be tracked.
May 16, 2012—A new study indicates that parents shouldn’t let young children play with electronic devices that use button-size batteries.
The Latest in Siding, Decking, Roofing & Fencing
Manufacturers struggle to introduce innovations.
Flood Control: Today’s Best Sump Pumps
New technology might not be ready for prime time.
Finding Your Comfort Zone
Best Buys in Innerspring & Specialty Mattresses
May 1, 2012—Moen introduced a kitchen faucet that activates with a wave of the hand.
April 12, 2012—Consumer Financial Protection Bureau proposed rules that would require mortgage servicers to be more transparent when they work with homeowners.
Under the Influence
How Doctors Are Courted By Drugmakers
The Truth About Anti-Aging Devices
The jury is still out on effectiveness.
New Age of Dentistry: Choices, Costs & Cautions
Dental services and alternatives: alluring but suspicious.
May 22, 2012—Men who don’t have a history of prostate cancer should avoid annual screenings for the disease, a government task force says.
May 17, 2012—Soldiers who are exposed to explosions during combat can develop the same degenerative brain disease that has been discovered in boxers and football players, a new study says.
Next-Generation ATVs
Manufacturers are increasing their number of sport UTVs at higher prices than ever before.
Cruises: Troubled Waters—Why Passenger Safety & Security Must Improve
The cruise industry continues to fight attempts to reduce problems for consumers.
Baggage Claims: Today's Best Lightweight Luggage
New materials make luggage lighter. That can mean lower costs at baggage check-in, but you’ll pay more in a retailer’s checkout lane.
May 11, 2012—American Airlines will phase out the first-class seats on some of its international flights, according to a Dallas Morning News report.
May 7, 2012—US Airways passengers can pay extra for a service that expedites airport check-in and airplane boarding.
The Hidden Costs of Higher Education & Consumers Digest's Top 100 College Values
It’s easier today to get a student loan from a university’s financial-aid office, but it’s tough to decipher the hidden fees that you will pay.
'Premium' Pet Food: Begging for the Truth
There is little evidence that cats and dogs benefit from costly and unusual ingredients in their food.
New Age of Retirement: How to Revitalize Your Plans
Shrinking private pensions might dim your golden years.
May 16, 2012—A new study indicates that parents shouldn’t let young children play with electronic devices that use button-size batteries.
May 15, 2012— American Academy of Pediatrics says parents should wean toddlers from pacifiers and “sippy cups” because a new study indicates that doing so will reduce the risk of injury.
Underground Sprinkler Systems Evolve
New irrigation systems are more precise and less expensive.
Grounds Keepers: Top-Rated Lawnmowers & Tillers
There are more zero-turn-radius riding models than ever before, and you’ll find more cordless electric walk-behind lawnmowers.
Easy Listening: Innovative Outdoor Speakers
Now you have a wider choice of how your sounds fit in with your outdoor living space.
April 10, 2012—Environmental Protection Agency rejected a request to ban a common herbicide that’s used in weed killers and other lawn-care products.
Dec. 15, 2011—Consumers who seek a new snowthrower and aren’t sure whether to buy a single-stage model or a dual-stage model should take their geographic region into consideration, experts say.
Life-Insurance Companies: Bad-Faith Policies
Some insurance companies use tactics to delay death-claim payments to increase their profit.
Waves of Uncertainty: Smart Moves for Another Challenging Year
Caution is the byword for your personal finances.
Serious Charges
The Relentless Banking Money-Grab
May 14, 2012—Consumer Financial Protection Bureau published a warning to consumers about a potential sweepstakes scam.
April 27, 2012—Rep. Pete Stark, D-Calif., wants the federal government to investigate whether one of the nation’s largest medical debt-collection agencies violated federal law.
Credit-Score Outrage
Why the Ultimate Numbers Game Is Out of Control
Under the Influence
How Doctors Are Courted By Drugmakers
Life-Insurance Companies: Bad-Faith Policies
Some insurance companies use tactics to delay death-claim payments to increase their profit.
Think twice before you take your computer to the nearest repair specialist. Many people are scammed by technicians who are moved more by profit than principle.
You might face more than the grief of the loss of a loved one: grave desecration and double-sold plots.
April 24, 2012—Lenovo expanded its recall of certain ThinkCentre all-in-one desktop computers, because a defect in an internal component that’s in the power supply could cause the product to overheat, which would pose a fire hazard.
March 9, 2012—Lenovo recalled certain ThinkCentre all-in-one desktop computers, because a defect in an internal component that’s in the power supply could cause the product to overheat, which would pose a fire hazard.
Feb. 2, 2012—Hewlett-Packard recalled HP 1040 and 1050 fax-machine models, because the fax machines can overheat due to an internal electrical component failure, posing fire and burn hazards.
Feb. 2, 2012—Konica Minolta recalled four models of desktop printers, because the printers can short-circuit and overheat during use, posing a fire hazard.
Feb. 1, 2012—Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with The Container Store, recalled Lushlife power strips.
Jan. 19, 2012—Steelcase recalled itsmodel 482 seriesAmia desk chair because the pivot pins that are installed in the control mechanism that’s under the seat can fall out.
Dec. 1, 2011—Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with Mophie, announced a recall of Mophie’s rechargeable external battery case.
Nov. 30, 2011—Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada, in cooperation with electronics retailer Best Buy, announced a recall of Best Buy’s Rocketfish cellphone battery case for iPhone 3G and 3GS.
Oct. 21, 2011—Electronic Motion Systems recalled its rechargeable lithium-poly battery pack, because the battery might overheat and catch fire.
Oct. 20, 2011—Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada, in cooperation with Horizon Hobby, announced a recall of the company’s Losi NiMH Start-Up Combo charger and battery.
August 19, 2011—Consumer Product Safety Commission, Health Canada and Office Depot recalled Huichang Furniture Realspace PRO 3000 Series desk chairs (SKU 996190).
August 4, 2011—Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with NexTorch, announced a recall of NexTorch NT123A flashlight batteries.
August 2, 2011—Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada, in cooperation with Cloud Engines, announced a recall of Cloud Engines’ Pogoplug Video file-sharing device.
May 27, 2011—Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with Hewlett-Packard, announced a recall of lithium-ion batteries that are used in HP and Compaq notebook computers.
April 19, 2011—Spot recalled its namesake satellite communicator, because its internal voltage regulator can stop working and result in the inability to transmit messages and tracking information in emergency situations.
February 23, 2011—Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with Niles Audio, announced a voluntary recall of iRemote TS and iC2 remote controls. If the battery falls from the remote control during handling, it can rupture and smoke or ignite, posing a fire hazard.
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