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.

TAG Heuer teams up with Google and Intel to produce luxury smartwatch

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 30, 2018

Swiss watchmaker TAG Heuer, a luxury watch brand owned by LVMH, announced today that it's partnering with Google and Intel to create a smartwatch. TAG will design the device, Intel will supply the microprocessor, and Google of course will handle the software with Android Wear.

In his announcement, quoted by Bloomberg, at the Baselworld watch expo today, LVMH's Jean-Claude Biver said this was his "biggest announcement ever" in his 40 years of working in the industry. He believes that the device will go on to be the "greatest connected watch" on the market.

iOS 8.2 jailbreak: what we know so far

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 30, 2018

It's been nearly 2 months since Apple killed the iOS 8/8.1 jailbreak, and in that time we've seen the public release of iOS 8.2 and multiple betas of iOS 8.3. So with that in mind, along with the hundreds of questions we've received on the subject, we decided it was time to take a look at the current state of the jailbreak.

New ‘IP Box’ tool unlocks iPhone PINs via brute force attacks

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 30, 2018

A new device is causing commotion around the interwebs today, that has the ability to unlock PIN-protected iOS devices. The tool, first spotlighted by security firm MDSec, is being used in the phone repair markets to brute-force iPhone and iPad Lock screens.

According to MDSec, these 'IP Boxes' are about the size of an Apple TV, and you can acquire one for around $300. It works by simulating the PIN entry on a device over a USB connection, and is able to sequentially bruteforce every possible PIN combination.

Facebook Messenger gains new peer-to-peer payments feature

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 30, 2018

Facebook announced on Tuesday that US-based Messenger users will be able to use the app to send money to their Friends. The process, similar to Square's 'Cash,' involves linking a debit card to the service, which you can use to send money just as easily as a photo or text.

Users who have received the update will notice that the Facebook Messenger app now includes a small “$” icon above the keyboard, next to photo and sticker icons. Tapping this opens a payments screen where users can enter in the amount they wish to send to the recipient.

Apple reportedly offering to share TV data to entice content partners

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 30, 2018

Apple is offering to share data with programming partners to get them on board with its rumored streaming TV package, reports the New York Post. The outlet claims that the company is willing to share details such as who its viewers are, what they watch and when they watch them.

This type of information could help programmers better target shows to viewers and advertisers, who are increasingly chasing niche audiences. It also sounds like an about-face from Apple's current policy, which Tim Cook has frequently touted as a positive, to not share its user data.

Apple to launch new trade-in program for Android switchers

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 30, 2018

Apple will soon introduce a new trade-in program that will accept Androids and other non-Apple smartphones, reports 9to5Mac. Citing sources familiar with the upcoming rollout, the outlet says the program will be very similar to Apple's existing iPhone trade-in program, which provides customers with gift cards to be used towards the purchase of a new iPhone.

Trade-in values of smartphones will be determined by Apple Store representatives, based on the age of the device as well as its cosmetic and functioning condition. The reps are said to be beginning extensive training sessions later this week, which will better prepare them to appraise these new devices when the program launches sometime in "the coming weeks."

Apple seeds new OS X 10.10.3 beta to developers, public testers

Cody Lee ∙ March 16, 2015

Apple seeded a new beta of its upcoming OS X Yosemite 10.10.3 update this morning. The software, labeled build 14D105g, is available through the Update tab in the Mac App Store for public testers, as well as the online Dev Center for all Mac developers.

The release comes less than a week after the previous OS X 10.10.3 beta, and it appears that it is nearly identically to its predecessor, save for a fix for a problem that prevented beta 3 from working with the 2015 Retina MacBook Pro and MacBook Air.

14 jailbreak tweaks you should check out today

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 30, 2018

It's been a busy week, what with Apple's big event and all, so you'd be forgiven if you weren't able to keep up with all of the new jailbreak tweaks. But never fear, as usual we've put together a list of this week's new tweaks so you can rest assured you didn't miss anything.

Apple fixes long-standing keyboard issue in iOS 8.3 beta

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 30, 2018

It appears Apple plans to fix a long-standing keyboard issue which caused users to inadvertently tap the period key when aiming for the space bar in Safari. As noted by MacRumors, beta versions of iOS 8.3 feature a design change that should resolve the problem.

In 8.3, Apple has made the space bar longer on the keyboard that pops up when inputting text in Safari's omnibar, and the 'Go' button shorter. This should make it less likely for users to encounter accidental period key presses when typing out their web searches.

Tim Cook calls into CNBC’s ‘Mad Money’, talks ResearchKit, Apple Pay and more

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 30, 2018

It seemed like just another episode of Mad Money, CNBC's polarizing financial TV show, until host Jim Cramer took a call from "Tim in California." As you've probably guessed by now, it was Apple CEO Tim Cook on the line, prompting cheers from a surprised studio.

Cook began the call by congratulating Cramer on "10 great years of Mad Money," but it was clear he had other things to talk about. The first thing was ResearchKit, Apple's medical research app platform it unveiled on Monday, which as already had over 10,000 signups.

Apple pulling Jawbone and Nike fitness devices from retail stores

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 30, 2018

Apple is halting sales of competing fitness bands, as it prepares to launch the Apple Watch next month. As noted by Recode earlier today, several Apple stores have begun pulling Jawbone and Nike devices from their shelves, and a quick search of the US web store returns similar results.

The Cupertino firm made a similar move in the fall of last year, pulling FitBit products from its shelves. This may be a bit less significant, though, given Jawbone's smaller marketshare and Nike's decision to focus its efforts on fitness software rather than produce anymore FuelBand hardware.

Apple Watch: you can rent it before you buy it

Cody Lee ∙ Updated November 19, 2018

If you find Apple Watch's $349 price tag a bit on the expensive side, you may be happy to know that you'll be able to take it for a test drive for far less than that. Gadget rental startup Lumoid says that it plans to rent out the Watch for $45/week, once it launches next month.

Lumoid, which already rents out FitBits and similar devices, says the $45 will get you the Sports version of Apple Watch, and $25 of that will go towards the purchase price if you decide to buy it. The firm will also offer the Steel version for $55, but will not carry Edition models.