AppleInsider Staff
Consumer Reports has called the iPhone 5 a "notable improvement" over its predecessor, but criticized Apple's new Maps application in iOS 6 as not up to par.
The GPS navigation team at Consumer Reports has been testing the iPhone 5, and determined that Apple's new Maps application in iOS 6 has "much maturing to do" before it can compete with other turn-by-turn services. Still, the consumer advocacy group's initial impressions of the iPhone 5 have been largely positive following last Friday's launch.
The organization has found that the iPhone 5 is a worthwhile improvement over the iPhone 4S "in spite of a mapping app that's disappointing, at least so far." Though iOS 6 Maps were highlighted as the "biggest drawback" of the iPhone 5, Consumer Reports also said the software is "likely to improve over time."
Still, Consumer Reports did have a few positive things to say about Maps in iOS 6 — namely the simple interface designed by Apple.
The organization also praised the larger 4-inch display of the iPhone 5 with reduced glare, and the lighter weight as compared to the iPhone 4S. Their testing also found that the new 4G LTE radio is speedy and the A6 processor helps to load content faster.
The camera, however, was found to be just a "modest step up" from the iPhone 4S. They found that still shots and video look crisper and sharper with the iPhone 5, but did not find any apparent improvements in low lighting footage.
Consumer Reports made waves in 2010 when it ranked the iPhone 4 the best smartphone available on the market, but later changed its stance and stated it couldn't recommend the iPhone 4. The group tested the iPhone 4 inside a controlled radio frequency isolation chamber, and found that covering the bottom left corner of the handset with one's bare hand could reduce reception.
The group took a more favorable view of the iPhone 4S when it was released last year, stating that any reception issues were addressed with the updated handset. And this year, it tested the new iPad and found the device could reach temperatures of 116 degrees Fahrenheit, calling it "warm but not especially uncomfortable if held for a brief period."
Malcolm Owen
Amber Neely
Mike Wuerthele
Christine McKee
William Gallagher
29 Comments
"Because we can't comprehend the idea of a product not being 100% perfect, we cannot recommend the iPhone 5 at this time. We'll let you have a Galaxy, though."
indeed, check out the full story at their website: www.consumerist.com
best website ever for consumers.
/*cough*
indeed, check out the full story at their website: www.consumerist.com
best website ever for consumers.
Looks like they really care about their readers!
So… no actual update on the status, just… still down. Not telling us what they're doing, just…
Even AI wasn't taken down for duration of the Huddler transition; it was just down for a few hours when the forums were finished and then pushed out later that day.
It's called a backup server, where you have a copy of the site stored. You use that… and it's back up.
Oh, yeah, these guys are certainly unbiased in their reviews.
And CONSUMERS have just handed Apple over 5 million units in sales.
Everything comes out in the wash when the Consumer Satisfaction reports start rolling in. Where the rubber meets the road. Guess where the iPhone5 will be? The usual . . .
Just like the iPhone 4 that CR couldn't recommend.
Used the turn by turn directions over the weekend - they're awesome! Only problem I had - the voice is waaaaay too loud when you're playing music. It mutes the music - which is great - but then screams at you at full volume, "TURN RIGHT IN 2 MILES!!!!!"
If I hadn't been expecting it, it would have scared me half to death. As it was, it was terribly distracting. Apple needs to fix this so that the volume of the voice is no louder than the volume of the music you're currently playing.