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.

Electric car battery maker suing Apple for poaching critical employees

Cody Lee ∙ Updated May 17, 2018

Electric car battery maker A123 Systems filed a lawsuit against Apple earlier this month for poaching its employees, reports Law360. The company says the Cupertino firm began an "aggressive campaign" around June of last year to recruit some of its most critical staffers for a new large-scale battery division.

This directly violates the company's noncompete and nondisclosure agreements, says A123 Systems, and the poaching has resulted in a substantial loss of investment and left them scrambling to find replacements. It's asking the court for undisclosed damages and a 1-year order, barring them from moving.

Facebook update allows you to add stickers to photos

Cody Lee ∙ February 19, 2015

Facebook today began rolling out a new feature to its mobile apps that will allow users to add stickers to their photos before uploading them. The functionality is similar to that in the "Stickered for Messenger" app the social network released back in December.

Users who have received the update should see a small icon at the bottom of each uploaded image, which you can tap to see all of the stickers you can use. After selecting a sticker, you can determine how big you want it and where it should be placed on your photo.

Apple releases iTunes 12.1.1 for Windows users with fix for Outlook syncing and more

Cody Lee ∙ February 18, 2015

Apple today rolled out a new version of iTunes specifically for Windows users. Windows-only iTunes updates are rare for Apple, but the changelog says that today's release fixes some significant bugs related to Outlook-device syncing, as well as an audio playback glitch.

Users can update to 12.1.1 by either visiting the Updates section from the Updates tab within iTunes, or they can visit Apple's website and download the software in its entirety. Windows users must be running Windows Vista 64-bit or later, and have 400MB free space.

Apple granted PrimeSense patent related to 3D virtual keyboards

Cody Lee ∙ Updated May 17, 2018

The United States Patent and Trademark Office published 41 patents today that it recently awarded to Apple. We've already covered one pertaining to VR headsets, and Patently Apple points us to another worth mentioning related to 3D virtual keyboards.

The patent is titled "Virtual keyboard for a non-tactile three dimensional user interface," and it covers a 3D capturing device that uses cameras to detect hand movements, allowing users to type on a virtual keyboard by simply moving their hands or fingers.

Google Play Music updated with Material Design, iPad support and more

Cody Lee ∙ Updated May 17, 2018

Google today pushed out an update for its Play Music iOS client, bringing the app to the odd version number of 2.0.3828. The update is rather significant in that it brings about proper support for the iPad, as well as new Material Design UI for the iPhone.

In the changelog Google says that it has heard users "loud and clear, and now Google Play Music has an official iPad app." It looks very similar to the redesigned iPhone app, sporting Google's new Material Design aesthetic, but with larger UI elements.

Apple granted new patent for virtual reality iPhone headset

Cody Lee ∙ Updated June 21, 2018

The United States Patent and Trademark Office published over 40 new patents today that were recently awarded to Apple. These filings offer a glimpse at a variety of interesting inventions, including an Oculus-style Virtual reality headset.

The VR patent covers a headset that features a slot for an iPhone or iPod—similar to Samsung's Gear VR. It takes advantage of the device's display and camera for producing heads-up-display graphics set atop a constant live video feed.

Nintendo working on social ‘Mii’ smartphone app

Cody Lee ∙ February 13, 2015

Nintendo is working on a new smartphone app, the company's President Satoru Iwata told business magazine Nikkei on Thursday. It's in development now, and should be finished around the time Nintendo reports its annual earnings in May.

According to Iwata, the app will feature Miis—the lovable, customizable avatars that represent players used in Nintendo Wii and Nintendo Wii U. Players will be able to customize their Mii characters, and share them on their social networks.

Apple hiring automotive experts for secret project

Cody Lee ∙ Updated June 25, 2016

Apple is recruiting experts in automotive technology and vehicle design to work at a new top-secret research lab, Financial Times reported on Friday. Among the new-hires is former president and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Research & Development Johann Jungwirth.

Citing several insider sources, the outlet says Apple set up the new research lab late last year at a confidential Silicon Valley location. And it's believed that the facility is being used by a team, led by experienced iPhone managers, to research new automotive products.

New report sheds light on Apple’s ambitious music plans

Cody Lee ∙ Updated May 17, 2018

Apple doesn't just want to compete in the music business, it wants to be the music business, according to a new report from Billboard. Citing sources with knowledge of the matter, the outlet has shed some light on the company's ambitious plans for the record industry.

Beats co-founder and Apple executive Jimmy Iovine has apparently been holding secret meetings with senior executives from many record labels in recent weeks. The discussions are of course protected by non-disclosure agreements, but details are beginning to trickle out.

Apple enables two-step verification for FaceTime and iMessages

Cody Lee ∙ February 12, 2015

Apple has enabled two-step verification for its FaceTime and iMessage services, The Guardian reported on Thursday. The move will force users who have the authentication system enabled to input an app-specific password when logging into either of the two services.

For those unfamiliar with the term, two-step verification is an opt-in system that adds an additional layer of security to Apple ID accounts. It requires users to input authentication codes when logging into iCloud on new devices, the web, and now iMessage and FaceTime.

Apple increases size limit of app packages from 2GB to 4GB

Cody Lee ∙ February 12, 2015

Apple announced this afternoon that it has increased the size limit of an app package submitted through iTunes Connect to 4GB. That's double the previous size limit of 2GB, which had been in place since the App Store launched in 2008.

The move should appease both developers and game-makers, who have been struggling to keep their app sizes under 2GB despite the multiple increases in display resolutions of Apple's various mobile devices over the past several years.

Pay Once & Play: Apple highlights great games with no in-app purchases

Cody Lee ∙ Updated May 17, 2018

Apple has begun highlighting non-freemium games in a new App Store section entitled "Pay Once & Play." The company describes the new section as an area where users can download "great games with no in-app purchases."

As noted by MacStories, the section is divided into 3 categories: Recent Releases, Blockbuster Games and App Store Originals, and it features a wide variety of games including Minecraft, Thomas Was Alone and Threes!.