Product Reviews in a Snap! Introducing the Consumer Reports iPhone App

YONKERS, N.Y., Oct. 18 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Consumers want unbiased information before they make a purchase; and now they can get it right where they need it most: in the aisle of any store.  

Today, iPhone users can download Consumer Reports Mobile Shopper™, a new app, with an introductory price of $9.99 for the first year (the app will sell for $14.99 beginning January 1, 2011), which provides instant access to Ratings, Recommendations, Brand Reliability and Buying Advice on thousands of appliances, electronics, children's products, car care, and home products.

The app allows consumers to research purchases by scanning the UPC barcode; searching for the make and model; or browsing through thousands of Consumer Reports expert Ratings.  The information is peppered with model comparisons, user reviews, the CR Best Buy®, and CR recommendations.

"The new app puts the power of Consumer Reports in consumers' pockets when they are shopping, allowing them to access Ratings, compare prices, locate better-value retailers and share recommendations with friends," said Jerry Steinbrink, vice president, Publishing, Consumer Reports.  "This newest delivery system nicely complements our suite of media offerings."

Consumer Reports pioneered a successful paid model for web content, launching ConsumerReports.org in 1997 with 300,000 subscribers.  Today the site has over three million paid subscribers.  

Consumer Reports Mobile Shopper™ allows consumers to:

• Instantly scan barcodes, browse or search to find product information
• View complete test Ratings for thousands of products
• Compare Ratings, features and specs
• Check overall reliability by brand
• Shop online or shop locally:  find the best deals online or at nearby retail stores.
• Share deals or product ideas with friends and family via email or Facebook
• Save products for quick and easy access

The app is available in the iTunes store, for iPhones using iOS 4.0 or greater.  A version for Android is currently in development, as well.

About Consumers Union

Consumers Union, the publisher of Consumer Reports, is an expert, independent nonprofit organization whose mission is to work for a fair, just, and safe marketplace for all consumers and to empower consumers.  To achieve this mission, CU tests, informs, and protects.  To maintain independence and impartiality, CU accepts no outside advertising, no free test samples, and has no agenda other than the interests of consumers.  CU supports itself through the sale of information products and services, individual contributions, and a few noncommercial grants. CU's flagship publication, Consumer Reports magazine, has a circulation of more than 4 million and continues to expand, while the magazine's Web site ConsumerReports.org has over 3.2 million paid subscribers and is the largest subscription-based Web site in the industry.  In addition, CU has successfully launched and expanded Consumer Reports on Health, Consumer Reports Money Adviser, and, most recently, ShopSmart magazine.

SOURCE Consumers Union