With all the new technology launching here and there, most consumers are trapped with the decision which is which. Before, you just go to a shop and ask the sales lady which one is the best and then ask the benefits of such gadget or appliances but now since there are so many, people tend to read reviews first to narrow their list down.
Like if a person wants to buy a Sony TV, more likely he or she will read Sony TV reviews first before choosing the best model of that brand that would fit his or her needs and budget. This is also the reason why consumer reviews are a big hit because people tend to scour websites and blogs for reviews before buying any stuff both online and offline.