Consumer Reports for iPad

Yonkers, NY – The iPad becomes a whole lot more consumer-friendly as Consumers Reports brings its flagship publication, Consumer Reports magazine, to an even wider digital audience.

Debuting with the January 2012 issue that hits newsstands on Tuesday, December 6th, consumers can subscribe to the iPad edition of Consumer Reports, which includes interactive features and an enhanced version of the monthly magazine. Access to the iPad version is included with all print subscriptions to Consumer Reports magazine.

Additionally, Consumer Reports has expanded its suite of smartphone apps to help consumers make better purchasing decisions in their everyday lives.

“The launch of the digital magazine format and expanded apps provide our readers with even greater access to the advice and reviews they expect and rely on from Consumer Reports,” said Chris Moody, Director and General Manager, Print Products for Consumer Reports.

More than four million print subscribers to Consumer Reports magazine will have access to the iPad app as part of their print subscription. The iPad-only edition of Consumer Reports is available on iTunes at $4.99 for a single issue or by monthly or annual subscriptions priced at $2.99 and $24.99 respectively.

Subscriptions to ConsumerReports.org, that include full access to the mobile website, are $26 and for an additional $12, the iPad edition can be added. Consumer Reports is also available on the Kindle Fire, The NOOKColor and NOOK iPad, iPhone and Android app as well as through Zinio.

The suite of smartphone apps will be available immediately for both iPhones and/or Androids. The apps focus on assisting consumers with their purchasing decisions by providing Ratings, reviews, and advice on a wide array of products and services. The apps that are now available are:

Consumer Reports Mobile Shopper ($4.99 for one year, non-recurring) allows users to search, browse or scan a barcode to access product information, pricing, reviews, and online and local shopping. This useful app offers ad-free access to expert and unbiased Consumer Reports’ Ratings, brand reliability evaluations, buying advice and detailed user reviews on thousands of products.

Consumer Reports Appliances ($2.99 for one year, non-recurring) offers consumers peace of mind when shopping for appliances by sharing unbiased Ratings and reviews with a focus on products including dishwashers, washing machines, coffee makers, vacuums, refrigerators, blenders, and clothes dryers. Users can also compare ratings to see how different models stack up against each other.

Consumer Reports Babies & Kids ($0.99 for one year, non-recurring) allows users to make better purchasing decisions when shopping for their babies or kids with Ratings and reviews straight from the expert testers at Consumer Reports. Product areas include car seats, strollers, high chairs, monitors, cribs, bike helmets and more. The app also helps to find the best deals online and locally.

Consumer Reports Eco-Labels ($0.99) which is currently only available for iPhones, helps consumers decipher labels on products. The app offers a complete list of labels and claims, and users can browse by product type or subject. Users can access expert and unbiased label information for food, personal care, and household cleaners so that they can make the best possible purchase decisions.

Consumer Reports TVs ($1.99 for one year, non-recurring) provides access to Ratings, brand reliability and buying guides for LCD, Plasma and 3D TVs.

Consumer Reports Washers & Dryers ($1.99 for one year, non-recurring) gives consumers all the washer and dryer information they need before they buy including Consumer Reports’ Ratings, brand reliability and buying guides.

Consumer Reports Hospital Ratings ($2.99) which is currently only available for iPhones, is a useful tool for consumers planning a hospital stay in the future. This app provides Ratings on how well hospitals performed an a number of areas including overall hospital experience, as well as explanations of drugs and discharge, room cleanliness, and more.

Consumer Reports also offers the following apps for free: Consumer Reports News & Video, Consumer Reports Safety News & Recalls, and The Consumerist Tipster.

About Consumer Reports
Consumer Reports is the world’s largest independent product-testing organization. Using its more than 50 labs, auto test center, and survey research center, the nonprofit rates thousands of products and services annually. Founded in 1936, Consumer Reports has over 8 million subscribers to its magazine, website and other publications. Its advocacy division, Consumers Union, works for health reform, food and product safety, financial reform, and other consumer issues in Washington, D.C., the states, and in the marketplace.