Cody Lee

Cody Lee, iDownloadBlog.com’s longest-serving Editor, joined the site in 2008. He specializes in uncovering the best deals on Apple products, apps, and accessories. With years of experience in technology journalism, Cody helps readers save money while staying informed about the latest trends and updates in the Apple ecosystem. Cody’s history with smartphones goes almost as far back as he does. As the son of a Nokia employee, he was exposed early on to handsets like the N91 and the Communicator. He has since been involved in nearly every aspect of the mobile phone industry. While going to college, he worked at a Nokia factory, building handsets, and later moved on to a sales position at a major wireless carrier.

New ad positions iPad Pro as a computer replacement

Cody Lee ∙ Updated May 1, 2018

Apple on Monday released a new commercial for its iPad Pro line. Titled "What's a Computer," the ad spotlights the firm's latest and most powerful tablet, showing off various productivity and multitasking features that one might desire from a PC.

This isn't the first time Apple has suggested that the iPad Pro is powerful enough to replace your computer or laptop, but it is the first time it has done so blatantly in an ad. It's so flagrant, in fact, that it almost has a Microsoft Surface feeling to it.

Apple adding more than 100 gender diverse emoji in iOS 10

Cody Lee ∙ Updated May 1, 2018

Apple is adding more than 100 new and redesigned emoji characters in iOS 10, the company said in a press release on Monday. The new emoji are accessible in the latest beta—iOS 10 beta 4—which was released to registered developers this morning.

The focus of the additions is gender diversity. So characters that previously only featured men options, such as the cyclist, swimmer and construction worker, are now available for both men and women, and likewise for previous women-only emoji.

Momentic, Upthere, Tung.fm, and other apps to check out this weekend

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 28, 2019

It's the weekend again, and you know what that means: time for another edition of our Apps of the Week roundup. This week's selections include photo-sharing app Momentic, cloud storage client Upthere, and a great new podcast player with a focus on sharing and discovery. Plus, we have two awesome new games for you to try!

New Apple Store app in the works with ‘For You’ recommendations

Cody Lee ∙ Updated May 3, 2018

Apple is currently working on a redesigned version of its Apple Store mobile app with new recommendation features, reports Bloomberg. Citing sources familiar with the project, the outlet says the updated app could be rolled out in the next two weeks.

At the heart of the refresh is expected to be a "For You" tab, that will suggest products based on prior orders—similar to what Amazon.com does with its recommendations. So after buying an iPhone, the app could recommend cases and other accessories.

iMovie for iOS updated with improved sharing and project creation

Cody Lee ∙ July 28, 2016

Apple on Thursday pushed out an update for the iOS version of iMovie, bringing the video editing software to version 2.2.3. The update features much-needed improvements to the sharing and project creation processes, as well as the usual batch of stability and performance improvements.

Apple’s free app of the week: Power Hover

Cody Lee ∙ July 28, 2016

Apple on Thursday updated its App of the Week promotion with the game Power Hover. This means that for the next 7 days, you’ll be able to pick up the hit minimal, gravity-defying title on both iPhone and iPad for free—a savings of $4.

In Power Hover, players get to defy gravity and enjoy the freedom of controlling their own hoverboard. You must do your best to avoid various hazards and collect energy as you navigate your way through a desolate, robot-ruled world.

Apple passes 1 billion iPhones sold

Cody Lee ∙ Updated May 11, 2018

Apple on Wednesday announced that it recently passed the 1 billion iPhones sold milestone. In a press release, the company said that during a staff meeting in Cupertino this morning, Tim Cook told employees that they had sold their one billionth handset last week.

The news comes just a day after Apple issued its third quarter earnings report, in which it said it sold just over 40 million iPhones during the 3-month period. That number is down some 7 million units from Q3 2015, but obviously they still have a reason to celebrate.

15 interesting points from Apple’s Q3 2016 earnings call

Cody Lee ∙ Updated May 4, 2018

Apple announced the financial results for its fiscal third quarter of 2016 this afternoon, and although they beat Wall Street estimates, the numbers are pretty rough. iPhone sales are down 7 million units, and revenue is down $7 billion from the year-ago quarter.

Following the release of its earnings, CEO Tim Cook and CFO Luca Maestri hopped on a conference call to talk about Apple’s performance over the last few months, and offer up some insights into its future. Here are your 15 most interesting points from that call.

Apple buys hit TV segment ‘Carpool Karaoke’ for Apple Music

Cody Lee ∙ Updated May 11, 2018

Apple has purchased the rights to turn Carpool Karaoke—the viral segment that broke out on the Late Late Show With James Corden—into its own series, reports The Hollywood Reporter. It plans to develop 16 episodes, that will stream weekly on Apple Music.

"We love music, and Carpool Karaoke celebrates it in a fun way that is a hit with audiences of all ages," said Eddy Cue. "It's a perfect fit for Apple Music — bringing subscribers exclusive access to their favorite artists and celebrities who come along for the ride."

Apple’s Q3 2016 earnings: 40.4M iPhones, 10M iPads, $42.4B revenue

Cody Lee ∙ Updated May 11, 2018

Apple on Tuesday released its earnings report for the third [fiscal] quarter of 2016. The Cupertino company exceeded expectations, selling 40.4 million iPhones, 10 million iPads and earning $42.4 billion in revenue. The numbers are still down year-over-year, however, with 47.5 million iPhones and nearly $50 billion in revenue in Q3 2015.

Highly, Bangers, Tinycards, and other apps to check out this weekend

Cody Lee ∙ Updated October 16, 2018

We're back with another edition of our Apps of the Week post. This is a weekly roundup of a handful of new and unique apps and games we think are worth checking out this weekend. Today's selections include new apps for highlighting and sharing interesting quotes from around the web, making music, and learning more about new topics, and of course we have two new games for you to try.

Pokémon GO set App Store record for most first week downloads

Cody Lee ∙ Updated May 11, 2018

Pokémon GO set an App Store record for most downloads during its first week of availability, reports The Loop's Jim Dalrymple. This should come as no surprise to folks who have been following the craze surrounding the hit game, which has sat atop the App Store's Top Free and Top Grossing lists since it launched earlier this month.