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’s App Analytics Beta now available to all developers

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

Apple began sending out emails to registered developers on Wednesday, announcing that App Analytics Beta is now available to all devs, no request needed. The company debuted the analytics platform, which will give developers a detailed look at their app statistics, earlier this month in a limited request-only beta test.

The feature is free to those with a $99/year iOS Developer Program membership, and offers up a wide range of useful data for app-makers. With it, developers can view information like active app users, length of sessions, total number of sessions, and see which websites or promotions are driving the most traffic to their apps.

Apple, A123 Systems settling lawsuit over battery engineer poaching

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

Apple and A123 Systems, maker of advanced batteries, submitted a court filing this week saying they are nearing a settlement regarding their engineer poaching lawsuit, reports the Boston Globe. They've "reached an agreement, signed a term sheet, and are in the process of drafting a final agreement."

The lawsuit made headlines earlier this year, when A123 claimed that Apple was hiring away its top scientists and engineers to build a competing battery business. The news broke amidst reports that the Cupertino firm had taken an interest in electric cars, and had begun work on larger battery packs.

Lunatik launches Kickstarter for rugged ‘Epik’ Apple Watch kit

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

Lunatik, the company who in many ways sparked the Apple-wearable frenzy with its TikTok watch kits for the iPod Nano, has launched a new Kickstarter. Returning to its roots, the team has developed a rugged case/strap kit for 42mm Apple Watch models.

Dubbed the 'Epik,' the kit features a case forged from aluminum alloy and premium performance materials. It fits around a strapless Apple Watch, and can be paired with either a silicon sport strap or a premium aluminum link bracelet with a butterfly clasp.

Google arrives on Apple Watch in update for News & Weather app

Cody Lee ∙ Updated October 14, 2018

Google has updated its News & Weather app today, bringing the software to version 1.7. The update includes various performance and stability improvements, and more significant to us, support for the Apple Watch.

This is essentially the first appearance on Apple's wearable for Google, who runs a competing wearable platform called Android Wear. The move, however, isn't surprising, given the company's sizable presence on iOS.

Verizon and Sprint to pay $158 million in bill cramming settlement

Cody Lee ∙ May 12, 2015

The FCC announced on Tuesday that Verizon and Sprint have agreed to pay $158 million to settle their bill cramming investigations with the Commission. Verizon Wireless will pay $90 million and Sprint Corporation will pay $68 million, and much of that will go to consumer refunds.

"For too long, consumers have been charged on their phone bills for things they did not buy," said the oft-outspoken FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler. “We call these fraudulent charges ‘cramming,’ and with today’s agreements we are calling them history for Verizon and Sprint customers.”

Apple again leads the pack in Greenpeace’s 2015 Clicking Clean report

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

Greenpeace released a 2015 update for its 'Clicking Clean' report this morning, and Apple is once again leading the pack. The report gives tech companies a Clean Energy Index score based on factors like commitment to clean energy and energy transparency, and the Cupertino firm received a perfect score.

Apple scored 100% CEI, with A's across the board for its energy efficiency and deployment of renewable energy at its data centers and facilities around the world. Other companies didn't fair so well, though, with Google scoring a 46% CEI, Microsoft at 39%, Amazon at 23% and eBay all the way down at 10%.

Apple seeds iOS 8.4 beta 3 to developers, beta 2 to public testers

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

Apple seeded iOS 8.4 beta 3 to developers this morning. The build number is 12H4098c, and it can be downloaded over-the-air by folks running beta 2, or via Apple's developer portal. Additionally, Apple has released iOS 8.4 beta 2 to testers part in the public beta program.

The release comes two weeks after iOS 8.4 beta 2 posted, and roughly a month after the original. The timing is also interesting because Apple's World Wide Developer Conference, where it is expected to introduce the next major version of iOS (iOS 9) is just 3 weeks away.

T-Mobile taking over $100 off all iPads for Mother’s Day

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

Folks still scrambling to find a Mother's Day gift before Sunday may be interested to know that T-Mobile is currently running a promotion on iPads. For a limited time, the carrier is taking more than $100 off all iPad models including the Air 2, mini 3, and second-gen mini.

As always, there are a few stipulations. You can't just buy the tablet outright and receive the $100+ credit—you have to purchase it on an Equipment Installment Plan, and you must keep a 1GB+ Simple Choice Mobile Internet plan active and in good standing for 24 months.

Nintendo to release first smartphone game this year, 5 games by 2017

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

After years of waiting, we could see Nintendo's first smartphone game within the next 6 months. The Verge passes along comments made by CEO Satoru Iwata during a shareholders meeting, in which he stated the company is aiming to debut the game before the end of the year.

Additionally, Iwata explained that Nintendo plans to release 5 mobile titles between now and March 2017. "You may think it is a small number," he said. "But when we aim to make each title a hit, this is not a small number and should demonstrate our commitment to smart devices."

Try before you buy: Apple’s new music service to offer lengthy trial periods and free song samples

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

Apple's new music service could include multiple ways to listen for free, Recode reported on Friday. Citing sources familiar with the project, the site says that while the service won't include a typical 'free version,' Apple is hoping to offer a lengthy trial period and free song samples.

The trial period could range anywhere from one to three months, depending on the outcome of Apple's current negotiations with record labels, which would give users a lengthy look at the service. It may also allow music owners to upload a sampling of songs that others could listen to.

‘Toca Nature’ goes free as Apple’s App of the Week

Cody Lee ∙ May 7, 2015

Apple has just named “Toca Nature” its App of the Week for this week. This means that from now through next Thursday, you’ll be able to download the award-winning education software for both iPhone and iPad for free—a great savings of $2.99.

Geared towards kids, Toca Nature allows you to shape nature and watch it develop. Want to grow your own forest? Go for it. Want to create a mountain range and enjoy the view? You got it. Plants, animals, landscapes and more are at your disposal.

AT&T pulling back on throttling of unlimited LTE customers

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

AT&T is pulling back on its throttling efforts against unlimited LTE customers, reports ArsTechnica. The site noticed that the carrier recently changed its policy to say that it will only throttle users with unlimited LTE data plans who have both exceeded 5GB in a billing cycle and are in an area experiencing network congestion.

Previously, AT&T's policy said that unlimited LTE users could experience slower data speeds after reaching 5GB, with no mention of location. The change comes after customers complained the carrier's throttling—some reported speeds as slow as 0.5Mbps—was part of its strategy to sway them away from their unlimited plans.