Consumer Reports names iPhone X as best smartphone camera

If you're wondering which smartphone today has the best camera, Consumer Reports has just named the iPhone X as the top pick.  The number 2 and number 3 spots are also taken by Apple with the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus filling those positions.

It seems Apple has found continued success in its camera hardware, software and computational algorithms that ensure the best possible photo as per Apple's standards. The availability of features like Portrait Mode and Portrait Lighting elevate smartphone photography to an extent.

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Consumer Reports: Microsoft Surface has worst failure rate in the industry

Independent consumer advocacy group Consumer Reports has pulled their recommendation of Microsoft's Surface products stating they have the 'worst failure rate in the industry."

According to a Consumer Reports survey of over 90,000 tablet and laptop owners, an estimated 25 percent of those with Microsoft Surface devices will experience “problems by the end of the second year of ownership.” This failure rate is the worst in the industry by far among mainstream PC makers, the publication says, this has resulted in them pulling its “recommended” designation for all Surface products. 

This is an alarming development for Microsoft, who has evolved its Surface devices over the years and aggressively added to the model lineup with the Surface Book, Surface Studio and most recently, the Surface Laptop.

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Consumer Reports calls on Tesla to rename Autopilot feature

Following reported accidents involving Teslas that had Autopilot engaged, well-known publication Consumer Reports is calling out to Tesla to change a few things. One is that the car manufacturer should change the name Autopilot and another is to remove the Autosteer feature. According to Laura MacCleery, vice president of consumer policy and mobilization at Consumer Reports, "By marketing their feature as ‘Autopilot,’ Tesla gives consumers a false sense of security. In the long run, advanced active safety technologies in vehicles could make our roads safer. But today, we’re deeply concerned that consumers are being sold a pile of promises about unproven technology. ‘Autopilot’ can’t actually drive the car, yet it allows consumers to have their hands off the steering wheel for minutes at a time. Tesla should disable automatic steering in its cars until it updates the program to verify that the driver’s hands are on the wheel."

Tesla stands by their decisions and the technologies they put into the car saying that they do “over millions of miles of internal testing, to ensure that drivers supported by Autopilot remain safer than those operating without assistance.” And it doesn’t plan to disable their features but will work to make sure their consumers know how Autopilot actually works.

Source: Consumer Reports | Via: SlashGear

Motoring: Consumer Report says most tire buyers don't research their purchases

Tire shoppers are generally happy with the purchase process, but more than half of them don’t research what they’re buying, according to a new survey by Consumer Reports. Research is an important step, especially when buying replacement tires that are different than the car’s original equipment, the magazine said.

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