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.

Google and Twitter team up to provide Tweets in mobile search results

Cody Lee ∙ May 19, 2015

Google and Twitter announced on Tuesday that they are partnering up to bring Tweets to Google Search on mobile devices. The move means that now, anytime you perform a search using the Google app (iOS or Android) or mobile browser, you'll see real-time content from Twitter in your results.

The search results are triggered by “Twitter” keyword searches, and include both hashtags and accounts. So you can either search for feedback on the new #TaylorSwift album or #MadMenFinale, or you can track down NASA's Twitter account, and view their recent Tweets without leaving Google.

Tim Cook tells employees Apple Watch will be available in stores in June

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

During Tim Cook's visit to China last week, the CEO held a meeting at Apple's headquarters in the country to give employees an update on recent happenings. Citing sources with knowledge of the assembly, 9to5Mac provides an overview of everything that was talked about, and there are some rather interesting tidbits.

For starters, Cook told attendees that "the Watch could not be going better," and that "Apple is working really hard on making more." He also seemingly confirmed reports that the company has solved some of its supply chain issues, promising that Apple stores will begin carrying Watch inventory sometime next month.

WSJ: Apple shelved plans to make a 4K TV set last year

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

Apple quietly shelved plans to make an ultra-HD TV set with video calling and other features last year, reports the Wall Street Journal. The report follows an open letter to Tim Cook from activist investor Carl Ichan, published earlier today, which pointed to Apple releasing a 4K TV set in 2016.

Apparently, Apple was working on a full-blown television, and had been researching the project for nearly a decade. But Apple executives didn’t feel like the product or its feature set was compelling enough to enter the cutthroat market, which offers small margins to even the largest competitors.

Tim Cook talks early days at Apple and more in George Washington University commencement speech

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

Tim Cook took the stage in front of the National Mall in Washington, D.C. today, to give the commencement speech for George Washington University's class of 2015. Cook accepted the invitation back in February, and is being awarded an honorary doctorate from the school.

Most of the speech is typical affair for a graduation address—"your values matter; they are your north star," etc.—but Cook has sprinkled in some interesting anecdotes from his childhood and early days at Apple. He also talks about the impact that Steve Jobs had on his life.

Apple acquires GPS firm Coherent Navigation

Cody Lee ∙ Updated October 14, 2018

Apple appears to have quietly acquired San Francisco-based GPS firm Coherent Navigation, MacRumors reported on Sunday. Several of the company's employees, including the CEO and co-founders, all started working for the iPhone-maker in recent months, and its domain servers were recently updated to point to Apple.

Among Coherent's technology is something called High Integrity GPS, which offers greater accuracy and precision and higher signal integrity versus standard GPS. It accomplishes this by combining signals from both mid-earth orbiting GPS satellites low-earth satellites used by data provider Iridium for voice and data.

Apple looking for Apple Watch feedback via market research survey

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

Apple has begun emailing Apple Watch owners, asking for their feedback on the just-released wearable. The email requests that users take a lengthy (took us about 15 minutes) survey, in which it asks a wide variety of questions regarding their reasons for purchasing the device, and satisfaction with it thus far.

The survey is interesting because Apple doesn't typically employ market research—we have seen questionnaires in the past, but it's not a frequent thing. Steve Jobs famously loathed the practice, telling Fortune in 2008 "We do no market research. We don’t hire consultants. We just want to make great products.”

Smart screen protector gives your iPhone a handy back button

Cody Lee ∙ May 16, 2015

I love the additional screen real estate my iPhone 6 Plus gives me, but it makes one-handed usage very difficult. I can reach about halfway up the display comfortably, but anything higher than that—say, when I need to tap an app's back button—and I have to shimmy my hand up the device.

Halo Back is a new iPhone accessory that wants to help significantly reduce the need for shimmying. Billed as the world's first "smart" screen protector, the Halo attaches to the front of your iPhone 6 or 6 Plus, and gives you a virtual back button within thumb's reach—left of the Home button.

Touch ID could gain new gaming features, scrolling and more

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

Touch ID could get significantly more useful in future iOS devices, according to an Apple patent filing revealed this week. The filing, first spotted by Patently Apple, is extremely lengthy (combines several patents) and offers an overview of where Apple thinks fingerprint technology is headed.

One of the more interesting inventions is a portable touch display with integrated fingerprint sensors. So instead of touching the Home button, you could simply touch a designated part of the display to unlock your device or authenticate something. Apple says it could even offer tactile feedback.

153 animated emojis you can find on Apple Watch

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

The Apple Watch is changing the way a lot of people communicate with each other, thanks to features like Digital Touch. It even handles emojis a bit differently, allowing you to choose from a wide variety of animated images to help you get your point across quickly.

In fact, as German site Giga Apple points out, there are 153 different animated emojis you can choose from on Apple Watch, ranging from yellow and red faces to hearts and hand gestures. They can all be accessed via Messages, and can be customized to fit any context.

First HomeKit devices coming in June, Apple says

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

The first HomeKit-enabled smart-home devices will be launching sometime in June, Apple told the Wall Street Journal on Thursday. The statement refutes an earlier report that claimed that delays with the home automation platform would push its launch back until August or September.

“HomeKit certification has been available for just a few months and we already have dozens of partners who have committed to bringing HomeKit accessories to market," Apple spokeswoman Trudy Muller told The Journal. "We’re looking forward to the first ones coming next month.”

Hit puzzler ‘Quetzalcoatl’ goes free as Apple’s App of the Week

Cody Lee ∙ May 14, 2015

Apple has just named “ Quetzalcoatl” its App of the Week for this week. This means that from now through next Thursday, you’ll be able to pickup the popular puzzler for both the iPhone and iPad for free—a solid savings of $1.99.

Quetzalcoatl features 180 carefully designed puzzles, which will provide you with dozens of hours of addictive gameplay. You beat the puzzles by maneuvering game pieces to match like-colored tiles, before the walls close in on you.

Rdio to launch new ‘Select’ streaming music tier for $3.99 per month

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

Rdio is planning to launch a new budget tier for its streaming music service soon, BuzzFeed reported on Wednesday. CEO Anthony Bay tells the publication that they are calling the new tier 'Rdio Select,' and it will give users limited access to the streaming service for just $3.99 per month.

“We’ve all been flying airplanes that had business class only,” Bay quips. “There is no coach.” The $4 tier will include two components: the first is a Pandora-like streaming radio offering without ads and unlimited skips, and the second is on-demand music with a daily allowance of 25 songs.