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.

Apple has registered Apple.car and other similar domain names

Cody Lee ∙ January 8, 2016

Apple has registered a handful of rather interesting domain names within the last few weeks. As noted by MacRumors, the company purchased three top-level domain names in December including apple.car, apple.cars and apple.auto, through sponsored registrar MarkMonitor.

The acquisitions only posted on Whois this morning, and they aren't active yet, but given the ongoing chatter regarding Apple's secret car project, they do arouse curiosity. There's certainly a precedent of the firm purchasing domain names for rumored projects: iCloud and iPhone 4.

iPhone 7 again said to be waterproof and feature wireless charging

Cody Lee ∙ January 7, 2016

Apple's next iPhone will likely feature a thinner, waterproof body and other significant changes, reports Fast Company. Citing a source with knowledge of the company's plans, the outlet says the iPhone 7 will also feature wireless charging and special noise-canceling technology.

Additionally, Fast Company says the handset will ship without a 3.5mm headphone jack—something that has popped up in multiple iPhone 7 rumors. The move will allow Apple to make the device thinner, but will force users to switch to wireless or Lightning-enabled headphones.

Tim Cook earned $10.3 million in 2015 as Apple’s CEO

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 30, 2018

Ever wonder how much it pays to be the CEO of one of the world's largest companies? About $10 million. On Wednesday, Apple submitted a new SEC filing showing that Tim Cook's total compensation for fiscal 2015 was $10,281,327.

Broken down, Cook received $2 million in base salary, $8 million in non-equity compensation, and $280K in "other" compensation. Note that this doesn't include the $50+ million in awarded Apple stock that vested for Cook this year.

Samsung says its Gear S2 smartwatch will support iPhone later this year

Cody Lee ∙ Updated October 16, 2018

During its CES keynote on Tuesday, Samsung announced that iOS compatibility is coming soon to its Gear S2 smartwatch. On stage at the Las Vegas event, the company's VP Alanna Cotton said that the popular Tizen-powered accessory is getting iPhone support later this year.

Cotton didn't offer up specific dates or details, but expect S2 functionality to be far more limited on iOS than it is on Android. Apple does not give developers the kind of low-level access its own Watch enjoys—something that has long-hampered Pebble and Android Wear devices.

Report claims Apple cutting iPhone 6s production by 30% this quarter

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 30, 2018

Japanese and South Korean component suppliers are bracing for a significant drop in their business with Apple, reports Nikkei. Citing lackluster sales, the outlet claims that the Cupertino firm is expected to reduce output of its latest iPhone models by around 30% for the January-March quarter.

"The U.S. company had initially told parts makers to keep production of the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus for the quarter at the same level as with their predecessors. But inventories of the two just-launched models have piled up at retailers in markets ranging from China and Japan to Europe and the U.S."

Apple to announce Q1 2016 earnings on January 26

Cody Lee ∙ January 4, 2016

Apple just confirmed via its Investor Relations portal that it will be releasing financial results for its first fiscal quarter of 2016 (fourth calendar quarter of 2015) on Tuesday, January 26. As usual, the company will be hosting a conference call to discuss the results at 2:00 p.m. PT / 5:00 p.m. ET that day.

While earnings reports aren't typically worth getting excited about, Apple loves to show off during the holiday quarter. The company routinely crushes smartphone sales and revenue records for the 3-month period, besting itself last year by moving 75 million iPhones and recording almost $75 billion in revenue.

Griffin introduces handy new Travel Power Bank for Apple Watch

Cody Lee ∙ January 4, 2016

Griffin on Monday added to the stack of CES product announcements by introducing the Travel Power Bank for Apple Watch. As you can see in the photo, the accessory is essentially a tiny battery pack with an inductive charging pad for Apple's wearable.

Griffin says that the built-in battery is of the 800 mAh variety, which is good enough to fully recharge the Apple Watch up to four times before needing more power for itself. That's not too shabby for a device that is so small it can be attached to a keychain.

Fiat Chrysler to offer CarPlay in select Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep vehicles this year

Cody Lee ∙ January 4, 2016

Fiat Chrysler on Monday announced its fourth-generation Uconnect system, which will bring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to select vehicle models later this year. In a press release, the automaker says that the addition of CarPlay will give drivers a smarter, safer way to use their iPhones while in their cars.

"With fourth-gen," said Joni Christensen, Head of Uconnect Marketing, "we are continuing to minimize the everyday stresses of busy lifestyles by providing drivers with a variety of ways to stay conveniently connected to their vehicles, while making every drive exceptionally informative, entertaining and unique."

Pixite’s Union photo app is free right now within the Apple Store app

Cody Lee ∙ December 31, 2015

Heads up folks, Apple is giving away free copies of the popular Union photo app by Pixite right now. You can find promo codes for the app, which normally retails for $1.99, within the 'Stores' section of the Apple Store app on iOS.

For those who aren't familiar with it, Union is an elegant image blending tool that allows you to create superimposed, silhouetted, and double-exposed photos. It comes from the same team that created Fragment, Shift and Pigment.

Square Enix announces Final Fantasy IX coming soon to iOS

Cody Lee ∙ Updated March 19, 2019

Great news Final Fantasy fans! Square Enix on Thursday confirmed that FF IX is coming soon to iOS, Android and PC. As noted by TouchArcade, the studio has posted a teaser page for the game on its website, as well as an official trailer on YouTube.

Originally released in 2000, FF IX is the ninth title in the popular RPG franchise. The story follows a talented young thief named Zidane Tribal, who joins with others to defeat Queen Brahne of Alexandria, the one responsible for starting the great war.

Apple’s Kevin Lynch talks Apple Watch timekeeping, says it’s far more accurate than iPhone

Cody Lee ∙ December 30, 2015

Apple VP of Technology Kevin Lynch spoke with Mashable on Wednesday, touting the Apple Watch's ability to keep precise time. Lynch told the publication that the Watch is far more accurate as a timekeeping device than the iPhone—four times better to be exact.

"With New Year’s coming, those who have the Apple Watch will be the most accurate watch in the room... There will be no question about when New Year's Eve actually is now." The VP went on to explain the various features in the Watch that help make it so accurate.

Microsoft said to be considering smaller Xbox to compete with Apple TV

Cody Lee ∙ December 30, 2015

Microsoft is said to be once again looking to create a device that would go head-to-head with the Apple TV and similar products. Citing internal sources, veteran blogger Brad Sams reports (via Business Insider) that the company is considering plans for a "lightweight Xbox One."

The smaller console would feature access to a variety of streaming services, and be capable of playing games from Microsoft's Windows store. Sams believes the device, if it materializes, will launch in the second half of 2016 with a much lower price point than existing Xbox models.