Michigan Internet Marketing Club

Wednesday, July 1, 2015

Best gadgets in bright sunlight

Best gadgets in bright sunlight

Ah, summer! Warm days. Ocean breeze. Bright sunlight…uh-oh. Suddenly that beautiful display on your favorite gadget is just one big square of glare.

When it comes to bright light, not all displays are created equal. We combed our test data for smartphones, cameras, tablets, laptops, and smartwatches to find the screens that won’t fade out when you let the sunshine in.

—Donna Tapellini

Smartphones. You take your smartphone with you everywhere, so a screen you can see in the sun is particularly important. We measure how well you can see a tablet outdoors by viewing it at different angles under a light that mimics bright sunlight. The Apple iPhone 6 ($300) has a large 4.7-inch display that looks great in the sun (and anywhere else—we rated it excellent). If you’re committed to the Android world, the Samsung Galaxy S6 ($300) and LG G4 ($550) are also good choices. It may sound counter-intuitive, but the brighter the display, the more you’ll see it in bright light. Remember that to make the display look its best in the sun, turn on auto-brightness.

Tablets. We measure tablet performance in bright light the same way we do smartphones. Apple’s iPad Air 2 ($500), a 9.7-inch model, is the best we’ve viewed under bright light, thanks to the anti-reflective coating Apple added to this model. Looking for a smaller tablet, or an Android model? The 8-inch Sony Xperia Z3 Compact Tablet ($500) performed really well in that test, and it’s got one of the brightest displays we’ve ever measured on a tablet. It’s also waterproof, a plus for beach bums.

Digital camera. It’s tough to frame the perfect shot when you can’t see the camera’s LCD in the sun. The best way to overcome that problem is by getting a camera with a viewfinder and an LCD that swivels. The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 iii ($800) has both. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FC1000 ($800) also has a viewfinder and swiveling LCD.

Laptop. Laptops are less easy to manipulate than tablets and smartphones if you’re stuck in the sun. We determine the amount of glare you see on a laptop screen by shining a light bulb on it and measuring the reflection with a light meter. The 13-inch Toshiba Portege Z30-BSMBN22 ($900) did really well in bright light, thanks largely to its matte screen. An alternate choice: Apple’s MacBook Pro 13-inch with Retina Display MF839LL/A ($1,300) which combines a very bright screen with anti-reflective coating.

Smartwatch. The Pebble Steel ($130) is the only smartwatch that earned an excellent in our tests for readability in bright sunlight. Most of the others were just good. On the other hand, most of the other watches in our Ratings were excellent in low light, while the Steel was only good. If you don’t mind using your hand to shade your watch in the sunshine, stick with the Apple Watch ($550 to $600) or the LG G Watch R ($300), both of which we recommend.

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Best deals on American-made cars for July 4th

Best deals on American-made cars for July 4th

Independence Day conjures images of patriots, parades, flags, BBQ, and car sales. Indeed, this national holiday weekend is perennially one of the best times to buy a new car. Typically, the customer rebates are large, interest rates small, sales staffs eager, and free balloons plentiful.

To size up the buying opportunities, our analysts have studied recent nationwide transactions, then layered in current available incentives to predict the average savings for this holiday shopping weekend. This is labeled as “Market average.” Among the many discounted models, we narrowed our focus to those that meet Consumer Reports’ stringent criteria to be recommended, meaning they scored well in our testing, have average or better reliability in our latest subscriber survey, and performed well in government or insurance-industry safety tests, if evaluated.

In the spirit of the patriotic holiday, we have further narrowed our focus to vehicles that are made in America—those models that are built right here on U.S. soil, whether from a domestic or import manufacturer. All featured vehicles are 2015 models. General Motors dominates this list, due to a combination of attractive pricing and having many models that earn a Consumer Reports recommendation. Beyond the highlighted models, there are many vehicles offering notable discounts right now.

See all current Best New Car Deals, or use our New Car Selector to create your own list of vehicles by sorting and filtering by the factors that matter most to you.

See our special feature “What makes a car ‘American’?”

—Jeff Bartlett with Todd Young

Consumer Reports Build & Buy Car Buying Service

When buying a car, in addition to research and reviews, Consumer Reports offers subscribers access to the Build & Buy Car Buying Service at no additional cost. Through this service, a nationwide network of about 10,000 participating dealers provide upfront pricing information and a certificate to receive guaranteed savings off MSRP (in most states). The pricing information and guaranteed savings includes eligible incentives. Consumer Reports subscribers have saved an average of $2,919 off MSRP with the Build & Buy Car Buying Service.

Buick Enclave

Even after six years on the market, the large Enclave remains a competitive three-row SUV. We liked its firm, comfortable, and quiet ride and its agile, secure handling. But like its corporate cousins, the Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Acadia, this Michigan-made crossover is beginning to show its age. The 3.6-liter V6 engine and six-speed automatic are smooth and powerful enough, but at times they work hard in this large SUV, and its 15-mpg overall is paltry. A big plus is the ability to fit adults in the roomy third row. Fit and finish is impressive, and for 2015 forward-collision and lane-departure warning systems are available.

Make & model	MSRP	Invoice	Market average
Buick Enclave Leather AWD	$46,375	$45,012	$42,434

Cadillac CTS

The CTS is a luxury sedan with agile handling and a firm, absorbent ride that crowns it as one of the sportiest cars in the class. But as satisfying as it is to drive, the CTS can also be frustrating. Much of the blame goes to the overly complex Cue infotainment-system. The cabin is super-luxurious, with impressive material quality. But rear-seat room is snug and the trunk is relatively small. Neither the four-cylinder turbo nor the 3.6-liter V6 is as refined as the best in class. The high-end Vsport version is better, with effortless thrust.

Make & model	MSRP	Invoice	Market average
Cadillac CTS Sedan 3.6L AWD Luxury	$55,965	$53,766	$53,310

Chevrolet Corvette

The sharp-edged Corvette has abundant power from its 455-hp, 6.2-liter V8 and an interior worthy of the price. A seven-speed manual is standard, with an eight-speed automatic optional. Drivers with a thirst for more power can opt for the 650-hp Z06. The car’s all-aluminum construction optimizes weight savings and strength. Acceleration is blisteringly quick, and handling is pinpoint. With the adjustable driving modes the car can be a fairly refined cruiser or track-ready race car. The seats deliver support and comfort. But you can’t ignore the low-slung cabin that’s difficult to access and tire noise. The Corvette is built in Bowling Green, Kentucky, where buyers can take delivery, tour the factory, and visit the National Corvette Museum.

Make & model	MSRP	Invoice	Market average
Chevrolet Corvette Convertible Z51 3LT	$74,445	$69,020	$70,342

Chevrolet Impala

One of our top-rated sedans, the Impala is roomy, comfortable, quiet, and enjoyable to drive. It even rides like a luxury sedan, feeling cushy and controlled. Engine choices include a punchy 3.6-liter V6 and an adequate 2.5-liter four-cylinder, both paired with a six-speed automatic. The V6 accelerates and brakes capably, with secure and responsive handling. The full-featured cabin stays very quiet, with a sumptuous backseat and a huge trunk. Controls are intuitive and easy to use, but rear visibility is restricted. Advanced electronic safety features are readily available.

Make & model	MSRP	Invoice	Market average
Chevrolet Impala 2LTZ	$36,265	$35,025	$33,522

Chevrolet Traverse

Although it dates back to 2008, the large, Lansing, Michigan-built Traverse is among the most competitive three-row SUVs. We liked its firm, comfortable, and quiet ride and its relatively agile, secure handling. But like its corporate cousins, the Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia, it’s beginning to show its age. The 3.6-liter V6 and six-speed automatic powertrain is smooth and powerful enough, but it works hard in this large SUV, and its 16-mpg overall is uncompetitive. A big plus is the ability to fit adults in the roomy third row. Fit and finish has improved, and for 2015 forward-collision and lane-departure warning systems are available.

Make & model	MSRP	Invoice	Market average
Chevrolet Traverse 1LT AWD	$36,670	$35,596	$33,486

Chevrolet Volt

An electric car with a backup engine to extend its typical 35-mile electric range, the Michigan-built Volt feels quick, quiet, and responsive, with a taut ride. It only seats four, the rear seat is cramped, and visibility is poor. Once the lithium-ion battery is depleted, the 1.4-liter engine acts as a generator to extend the range by 315 miles. We averaged the equivalent of 99 mpg in electric mode and 32 mpg on premium when it switched over to gasoline. Recharging takes 4 hours using a 240-volt supply and 10 hours with 120 volts. For 2015, the battery storage capacity is increased from 16- to 17.1-kWh, probably leading to more EV-only miles. A 2016 redesign brings increased electric range, an improved control layout, and a center rear seating position.

Make & model	MSRP	Invoice	Market average
Chevrolet Volt Plug-In Hybrid	$35,170	$34,483	$32,063

Ford Fusion

Built in Flat Rock, Michigan, the Fusion is a delight to drive, with a supple ride and agile handling rivaling that of a European sports sedan. All trim levels and powertrains feel solid and upscale, with a quiet and well-finished cabin. But the rear seat is somewhat snug, and the MyFord Touch interface is an annoyance. Most Fusions get either a 1.5- or 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder matched with a six-speed automatic. The 1.5-liter does the job, but the 2.0-liter packs more punch and better suits the car. We recorded 24-and 22-mpg overall, respectively, which is among the lower performers in the category. The Hybrid turned in an excellent 39-mpg overall.

Make & model	MSRP	Invoice	Market average
Ford Fusion Titanium AWD	$33,115	$31,326	$30,204

GMC Acadia

Though it’s starting to feel a little dated, the Acadia is still competitive among three-row SUVs. Like its twins, the Chevrolet Traverse and Buick Enclave, it has a spacious and quiet interior, with a third-row seat that’s roomy enough for adults. Seating for eight is available. Handling is relatively agile and secure, with responsive steering, and the ride is comfortable and steady. Its 3.6-liter V6 is smooth and refined, but it has to work hard and it gets mediocre gas mileage. Upgraded touch-screen infotainment systems bring more capability. Rear visibility isn’t great. Denali versions have more features but no better functionality or performance.

Make & model	MSRP	Invoice	Market average
GMC Acadia AWD SLT1	$43,745	$42,460	$38,171

Honda Odyssey

This versatile and capable hauler built in Lincoln, Alabama, combines clever and generous packaging with responsive handling and a supple ride. Its vigorous 3.5-liter V6 and smooth six-speed automatic returned 21-mpg overall in our tests. The Odyssey can seat eight in relative comfort, with varying configurations for cargo and passenger needs. Easy access, excellent child-seat accommodations, and abundant cabin storage add to the family-friendly quotient. Among our few gripes is the tediously complicated dual touch-screen infotainment system. In addition, fit and finish and some material selection are not what one would expect at this price, and AWD isn’t available.

Make & model	MSRP	Invoice	Market average
Honda Odyssey EX-L	$36,655	$33,912	$33,555

Toyota Avalon

When it was redesigned, the Kentucky-built Avalon’s formerly excellent ride was stiffened too much, especially on versions with the 18-inch tires. (Toyota claims it will address that with the 2016 model.) Handling was sharpened and is now sound and secure. The lively 268-hp V6 is paired with a smooth six-speed automatic and delivers punchy performance and a commendable 24-mpg overall. The hybrid’s 2.5-liter four-cylinder is teamed with an electric motor, returning a standout 36-mpg overall. Upscale materials and finish details give the spacious cabin a lush, luxurious ambience. Interior and exterior styling were given careful attention, but the controls were made more complicated.

Make & model	MSRP	Invoice	Market average
Toyota Avalon Limited	$40,805	$38,024	$37,921

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Get the best cell phone plan for your family—and save up to $1,000 a year

Get the best cell phone plan for your family—and save up to $1,000 a year

Update 7/1/15: Sprint’s new All-In plan puts a top-notch smartphone in your hands with no money down and then charges you only $80 a month (plus taxes and a one-time $36 activation fee) for unlimited data, text, and voice minutes. That seems like a good deal considering other plans, including those from Sprint, charge about $65 to $90 per month per phone (including access fees) for about 4GB or 5GB of data—without the phone. The hitch: Phone choices for the All-In plan are limited to a 16GB iPhone 6, a 32GB Samsung Galaxy S6, or an HTC One M9. What’s more, you’ll never own the phone. It’s just a lease—$20 of the $80 of your monthly bill is a phone-rental fee that never goes away.

Often, we steer people away from that kind of arrangement, but in this case, the pricing should work out well for a lot of consumers. Let’s crunch the numbers for someone who needs just one phone line. With All-In, you can get a 16GB iPhone 6 and use it for two years for $1,920 (that doesn’t include the activation fee.) The same phone and 24 months of service would cost $2,210 on the company’s 4GB Family Share Pack data plan ($65 a month, plus about $27 while you paid off the phone, which costs $650).

What if you keep your iPhone for a third year? All-In will end up costing $2,880 ($80 per month for 36 months). If you have the Family Share Pack, the monthly bill will drop to $65 after two years, once the phone is paid off, but the total for three years is still higher, at $2,990.

That doesn’t mean the All-In is better for everyone. You need to do some arithmetic to get the best deal. If you need multiple phones, the price-per-phone drops for most plans, but not for the All-In. You can economize on data usage to bring costs down on most plans, but not the All-In. And if you keep a phone you’ve paid off for a fourth year, trade it in—or just decide to sell it on E-Bay—the numbers change again.

Update 2/5/15: Thanks to price-war incentives and greater plan flexibility, there are more opportunities now to save a few bucks on the new, no-contract plans from AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon Wireless—a.k.a. the Big Four.

These plans separate the purchase of the phone from the service charges, effectively giving you an interest-free loan you can pay off in about two years. When you’ve paid off the phone, your monthly bill goes down accordingly. And there are no termination fees; if you want to leave the carrier, you just pay any remaining balance on the phone.

Although our recent report, “Small carriers outrank the big ones in Consumer Reports’ latest cell phone service survey,” covering 63,352 subscribers in 26 metro areas, found some very happy customers who switched to smaller cell providers, there are still good reasons for staying big.

Verizon, for example, earned decent marks across the board for voice, text, and data service, while AT&T was a standout for its 4G service. It recently slashed prices on its More Everything plans, added more data tiers to allow customers to better fine-tune plans, and monkeyed with the access fees it charges (for a limited time) to lower costs further.

T-Mobile was tops for value and customer service. And Sprint, which didn’t do particularly well in any category, has recently become very aggressive about pricing—and some people actually do like the company.

Thinking about changing your wireless company? We’ll help you find the best cell phone carrier.

Unfortunately, these plans are rather complicated, and the carriers have done their best to make apples-to-apples comparisons difficult among one another’s offerings. For example, they charge different rates for additional phone lines, break data allowances into chunks that don’t match the competition’s, and provide differing discounts for multiple phones. In fact, plan pricing is so bizzare and counterintuitive that customers, particularly those with multiple phone lines, can often save money by buying more data for each phone.

The good news: We’ve already done the math for you in the tables below to help you find the best deal. And to make sure your needs are covered, we’ve presented the service-cost breakdowns for one to five family members for light, medium, and heavy data service. All you need to do is figure out how much data your family needs, which we also help you do in “How much service do you need?”

Looking to save money on your Internet, TV, and home-phone service? Here’s how you can create your own triple-play bundle and save money.

T-Mobile Simple Choice

Number of people	1GB of data per phone	3GB of data per phone	5GB of data per phone
1	$50	$60	$70
2	80	100	120
3	90	120	150
4	100 (2.5GB per phone)	100 (2.5GB per phone)	180
5	110 (2.5GB per phone)	110 (2.5GB per phone)	210

Sprint Family Share Pack

Number of people	1GB of data per phone	2GB of data per phone	4GB of data per phone
1	$45	$50	$65
2	75	90	100
3	115 (1.3GB of data per phone)	115 (2.7GB of data per phone)	135
4	140	130	160 (5GB of data per phone line)
5	145 (1.6GB of data per phone)	165 (2.4GB of data per phone)	175

AT&T Next on Mobile Share

Number of people	1GB of data per phone	2GB of data per phone	4GB of data per phone
1	$50	$65 (3GB of data)	$95 (6GB of data)
2	90 (1.5GB of data per phone)	120 (3GB of data per phone)	130 (5GB of data per phone)
3	115	145 (3.3GB of data per phone	175 (5GB of data per phone)
4	170 (1.5GB of data per phone)	200 (2.5GB of data per phone)	210 (5GB of data per phone)
5	195 (1.2GB per phone)	175	225

Verizon Edge More Everything

Number of people	1GB of data per phone	2GB of data per phone	4GB of data per phone
1	$55	$65	$85
2	90	110	110 (5GB of data per phone)
3	125	115	145 (5GB of data per phone)
4	160	140 (2.5 GB per phone)	200 (5GB of data per phone)
5	145 (1.2GB of data per phone)	155	215

Note that in comparing rates, we couldn’t always find perfect matches, but we used the most similar plans.

For instance, AT&T, Verizon, and now Sprint sell their data in chunks that can be shared by all the phones on one account, while T-Mobile requires you to buy data plans for each phone. So we selected sharable data plans that matched (or came as close as possible to matching) the per-phone data plan of T-Mobile.

Then there’s the question of what happens if you don’t use your full data allotment. T-Mobile and AT&T both provide ways for you to “bank” unused data from your monthly allowance for later use. With the T-Mobile Data Stash plan, you get a “gift” bucket of 10 gigabytes of data per phone line, plus the ability to roll over unused data into the following months—it just needs to be used within a year. The AT&T Rollover Data offer is more stingy. There is no data bonus and you have to use rolled over data by the end of the following month.

Another adjustment: T-Mobile offers unlimited data plans, while AT&T’s and Verizon’s plans cap off at 50GB, and Sprint’s at 60GB, at rates north well north of $200. We determined that 4GB to 5GB per phone would be comparable to having unlimited data, for most users.

—Mike Gikas

How much service do you need?

1. First see whether a 500MB to 1GB data plan is enough for you. It will be for many consumers, especially if you confine your cellular-data activities mostly to browsing the Web, using news and e-book apps, and sending and reciving e-mails without large attachments. Save video calls, media streaming, and big-file uploads for when you have Wi-Fi access.

2. If you stream a fair amount of music and video on the road, such as during your commute to work or on business trips, you’ll probably need 2GB to 3GB per month.

3. If your eyes are permanently glued to Netflix, YouTube, and other other data-draining activities, you might want to consider a high-limit or unlimited data plan.—M.G.

If you’re thinking about what your next smart phone should be, check our cell phone buying guide and Ratings.

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Tesla Model S P85D vs Dodge Challenger Hellcat

Tesla Model S P85D vs Dodge Challenger Hellcat

Having a 327-acre test track allows Consumer Reports to conduct all sorts of performance comparisons not available on public roads. The most recent example: testing the outer limits of the certifiably insane 691-hp Tesla Model S P85D and the patently ridiculous 707-hp Dodge Challenger Hellcat.

But it’s far more than just a 2.6-mile test track we have at our disposal. We have world-class drivers and scads of instrumentation that would make an automaker’s R&D chief nod in approval, as they routinely do. (Learn how Consumer Reports tests cars.)

Recently, we decided to test our own P85D against a rented Challenger Hellcat, courtesy of the speed freaks in Chrysler’s SRT performance division. If you need the finish-line results right now, you can cut straight to our video above or scope our data tables below. But if you want to hear about the sensation behind the wheel, read on.

What did we find? Horsepower simply doesn’t tell the story. This is beyond horsepower for horsepower’s sake. Remember the new, more powerful Porsche 911 that we raved about just a few months ago? That’s a legitimate, proper sports car. But it has just half the horsepower of either of these cars.

So which of these socially inappropriate cars delivers the most screech for the shekel? The most zoom for the zloty?

The Hellcat’s supercharged Hemi V8 bellows, burbles, and crackles, and it makes all the appropriate go-fast sounds. But to its detriment, it also consumes several precious milliseconds while transmitting engine power to the transmission, then to the axle, and then convincing those big Pirellis to get a grip on the blacktop and shove you down the track.

By contrast, the all-wheel-drive Tesla’s launch is smooth, near silent, and even more ballistic. The tires on this gilded, tree-hugger seem afraid to burn rubber. All that electric-motor power is put instantly to pavement. We piled up more than a full G in less than a second.

What is “more than” a full G, you ask? The application of one g-force on an object’s acceleration is the equivalent of a free-fall. To have this force—and then some—applied in less than a second is no different than being flung off a building. It is quite literally terminal velocity. And your brain reacts in exactly the same way – by retreating into a quivering ball in the darkest corner of your skull. Side effects may include dizziness and momentary panic. (Read “Is the Tesla Model S P85D the quickest car ever?”)

Because sensory response can’t always be trusted, we checked with our instruments, which showed that the Tesla had reached 30 mph in one and one-third seconds. That’s an unheard-of acceleration rate in a street-legal car. In our tests, no other “normal” car has reached that velocity that quickly, and in that few feet. Oh, and the Tesla hit 60 mph in three and a half seconds. That’s still million-dollar supercar territory. The Tesla costs $128,000, which is still in 1-percenter turf, but why quibble? (See our guide to Tesla news and reviews.)

The Hellcat—a relative bargain at $65,600—was hardly tame. And if it took eight-tenths of a second longer than the Tesla to reach 60 mph from a standstill, that’s still about as quick as that aforementioned Porsche 911. (Yes, the Porsche has half the horsepower, but also much less weight to carry around.) And more than that, the Hellcat’s sound and sensation of speed and control filled our heads and hearts with the visceral satisfaction that embodies a beautiful friendship between man and machine.

Ultimately, both of these adrenaline-pumping rides are a thrill and could be addicting for some. They just come from different places, even different eras—the Hellcat being the ultimate representation of the 1970s dream machine, while the Tesla is the car from the future.

Read our complete Dodge Challenger and Tesla Model S road tests.

—Gabe Shenhar

	Tesla Model S P85D	Dodge Challenger Hellcat
Price as tested	$127,820	$65,565
Power output, hp	691	707
Max torque, lb.-ft.	687	650
Engine/motor	Front & rear motors	Front supercharged 6.2L V8
Drive wheels	All	Rear
Weight, lbs.	4,962	4,300 est.
Acceleration, 0-30 mph	1.3	2.3
Acceleration, 0-60 mph	3.5	4.3

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5 Things Entrepreneurs Should Know to Start Out on the Right Foot

Michigan Internet Marketing & Real Estate Investors Club

Kevin Piecuch will talk about:

I. Forming a Legal Company

II. Being a Company

III. Opening a Bank Account

IV. Keeping Good Records

V. Developing an Identity

Kevin will also take questions. So if you have anything you want to ask an attorney – Now’s Your Chance!

The workshop is being sponsored by the Wayne County Community College District Entrepreneurial Center at 5901 Conner in Detroit (at the I94 and Conner exit). Admission and vendor tables are available at no charge. Light refreshments will be served.

Event is free to attend and open to the public!

Event Date:

Thursday, July 2, 2015

Event Start Time:

6:00 PM

Event End Time:

8:30 PM

Location:

Wayne County Community College Eastern Campus

Cooper Room

5901 Conner, Detroit MI 48213

Detroit, MI 48231 - USA