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.

Jony Ive shows off exclusive Apple Watch Sport band colors in Milan

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 30, 2018

Apple continued its PR push for Apple Watch in Italy this evening, Jony Ive hosting a Design Week event in Milan allowing folks to try on the new wearable. The design chief also used the occasion to unveil what appear to be exclusive new colorways for the Apple Watch Sport band.

The photos you see both above and below, first spotted by 9to5Mac, were posted to Instagram by Umberta Gnutti Beretta, wife of heir to the Beretta firearms empire Franco. In them you can see Ive posing for photos, and a platter with dark blue, red, yellow, and light pink Sport bands.

Scott Forstall is now producing a Broadway musical

Cody Lee ∙ Updated March 18, 2016

Scott Forstall just announced that he has taken on a new project, and it doesn't have anything to do with tech. In his first-ever tweet, the former iOS chief said that he is co-producing the Broadway musical "Fun Home," and it is slated to open this Sunday.

Forstall's name doesn't appear to be mentioned on the Fun Home website, but a quick search reveals the show's Playbill, which lists both Scott and his wife Molly as producers. "This is Scott and Molly's first foray on Broadway after years in Silicon Valley."

Apple officially names Steve Dowling VP of Communications

Cody Lee ∙ April 16, 2015

Apple added Steve Dowling to its online Executive Profile page on Thursday, officially naming him Vice President of Communications. Dowling had been serving as interim public relations chief since October of last year, while Apple analyzed candidates for the permanent gig.

The position opened up last summer, when longtime PR chief Katie Cotton announced her retirement. Cotton was a polarizing figure in the tech world, and well known for her aggressive protection of Apple and tight control over information during her nearly 20-year tenure.

Apple expands CarPlay to 5 new countries

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 30, 2018

Apple on Thursday announced that it has expanded CarPlay availability to 5 new countries, including Russia, New Zealand, Denmark, Sweden and the Netherlands. This brings the total amount of CarPlay countries to 25.

Folks in these countries now have the ability to use Apple's hands-free display-streaming feature with compatible vehicle models and head units, as long as they have an iPhone 5 or newer, running iOS 7.1 or later firmware.

Former iOS chief Scott Forstall is an advisor for Snapchat

Cody Lee ∙ April 16, 2015

Those wondering what former iOS chief Scott Forstall has been up to since leaving Apple in 2013 may be interested to know that he has been helping out Snapchat. According to leaked emails from Snapchat board member Michael Lynton, Forstall has been a paid advisor for the messaging startup since January 2014.

In fact, he's very well paid. Lynton's email indicates that Snapchat set aside .11% of fully-diluted stock for the ex-Apple exec, with options vesting over 24 months. And given that the company was recently valued at $15 billion, that would make Forstall's stake worth somewhere in the neighborhood of $16.5 million.

Amazon launches survival horror game ‘Lost Within’ for iOS

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 30, 2018

Amazon's Game Studios made good on its promise today to bring mobile games to iOS, launching Lost Within in the App Store. The title falls in the 'survival horror' genre, costs $6.99, and supports both the iPhone and iPad.

Set within an abandoned asylum that “holds a horrific secret,” Lost Within tasks players with solving mysteries, fighting monstrous inhabitants and using stealth tactics to sneak down haunted hallways in an effort to survive.

LAUSD asking Apple for multimillion-dollar refund for failed iPad program

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 30, 2018

The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) told Apple on Wednesday that it will not spend another dollar on the Pearson software installed on its iPads, reports local public radio station KPCC. Additionally, the school district is seeking a multimillion-dollar refund from the Cupertino giant for its failed technology initiative to put a tablet in the hands of each of its 650,000 students.

Tim Cook makes TIME’s 100 Most Influential People list

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 30, 2018

Tim Cook added to his long list of accolades on Thursday, by making TIME's annual '100 Most Influential People' list. The Apple CEO joins other pioneers, leaders and cultural icons such as rap artist Kanye West, Pope Francis, and Xiaomi founder Lei Jun.

Civil rights leader and Georgia Congressman John Lewis calls Cook a 'courageous innovator' in his TIME piece on the executive, praising him for both the work he has done at Apple, and his unwavering commitment to the fight for equality and human rights.

European Union files anti-trust charges against Google

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 30, 2018

Making good on rumors that have been bouncing around for several months, the European Union officially filed anti-trust charges against Google on Wednesday. The Commission will formally investigate whether the tech firm has abused its dominance in search results, as well as within its Android operating system.

In the near term this doesn't mean much—there will be a lengthy investigation and likely a trial. But in the long term, if Google were to be found guilty, it could face a fine of up to $6 billion (10% of its annual revenue) and various business-altering restrictions. Many pundits are comparing it to Microsoft in the late 90's.

Microsoft releases ‘Office Delve’ app for iPhone

Cody Lee ∙ April 15, 2015

Building upon its already enormous library of iOS software, Microsoft on Tuesday released 'Office Delve' for iPhone. The app serves as a mobile client to Microsoft's Office Delve service, which connects Office users to relevant people and documents.

The official tagline of the iPhone app is "find and discover documents through people you work with." Microsoft says the app will allow you to see what you and your colleagues are working on across Office 365 and suggest relevant documents to you.

You can now play Blizzard’s Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft on iPhone

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 30, 2018

Fans of Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft will be happy to hear that you can now play the game on your iPhone. Blizzard pushed out an update today for the popular card battler that, among other improvements, brings about support for Apple's handset.

Blizzard says the new iPhone version features an all-new intuitive interface, handcrafted specifically for smaller mobile devices. Those devices, however, are limited to the iPhone 4s, or later models, or the fifth-generation iPod touch (iPad 2 for tablets).

Activision bringing new Guitar Hero game to mobile this year

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 30, 2018

Gamers rejoice, Activision Blizzard Inc. has confirmed that it's reviving its Guitar Hero franchise this year, and it's bringing it to mobile. Bloomberg reported on Tuesday that, after a five-year hiatus, the California-based publisher has begun work on a new version of the popular video game for consoles, tablets and smartphones.

"Now fans can unleash their inner rock star anytime, anyplace using a phone or a game console,” Activision Chief Executive Officer Bobby Kotick said in a statement. The new product is said to cost $99, and will follow tradition in allowing players to jam on a toy guitar to music from artists such as the Black Keys and Fall Out Boy.