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 releases Chrome Remote Desktop app for iOS

Google released its long-rumored remote desktop app for iOS today. Dubbed Chrome Remote Desktop, it's available now in the App Store for both the iPhone and iPad, allowing you to securely access your computers from either device.

Setup falls in line with other remote desktop applications. You'll obviously need Chrome installed on your computer (PC, Mac and Linux), the desktop client, and the aforementioned iOS app, and then you simply follow the instructions.

Apple seeds iOS 8.2 beta 4 to developers

Apple has this morning seeded the fourth iOS 8.2 beta to developers. The release comes three weeks after the previous iOS 8.2 beta, and follows this morning's discovery that Apple has begun testing early iOS 9 prototype builds.

The new 8.2 beta can be downloaded either over-the-air, or via Apple’s developer portal, by all registered iOS developers. It’s still unknown what new features the firmware will bring, but we do know it'll enable support for WatchKit.

Apple ranked #11 among top patent recipients in 2014

Apple was awarded just over 2,000 patents by the US Patent and Trademark Office in 2014, according to data compiled by IFI Claims Patent Services. That amount is good for a 13% boost over 2013, and enough to rank it #11 among top patent recipients for the year.

A total of 19 US-based companies appear on the 2014 IFI Claims Top 50 list. IBM finished in first, with 7,534 patents awarded in 2014, keeping its 22-year streak alive. Samsung came in second with just under 5000 patents, followed by Canon, Sony and Microsoft.

IGN names ‘Valiant Hearts: The Great War’ its Free Game of the Month

Great news gamers, IGN has named Ubisoft's 'Valiant Hearts: The Great War' its Free Game of the Month for January. The game has a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars in the App Store, from thousands of reviews, and it typically retails for $4.99.

For those unfamiliar with the title, Valiant Hearts is a popular puzzle adventure game that offers up an engaging storyline and unique mix of puzzle-explore-action gameplay. It first landed on consoles last summer, and then hit iOS in the fall.

Facebook acquiring web video startup QuickFire Networks

Facebook is purchasing the San Diego, California-based web video startup QuickFire Networks for an undisclosed amount. The company announced the acquisition on its website today, saying that "key members" of its team will be joining the social networking giant as it "winds down operations."

QuickFire is known for its propriety software tech that significantly reduces the bandwidth needed to view video online without degrading its quality. The startup will help Facebook build an infrastructure capable of supporting the massive influx of video consumption it's currently experiencing.

Many early HomeKit devices require Apple TV for remote Siri features

Folks looking to take advantage of the onslaught of HomeKit products being introduced at CES this year will need to make sure they have an Apple TV. The Verge is reporting that many of the just-announced HomeKit accessories require the set-top box for select features.

More specifically, the outlet says that new smart home devices from iHome, GridConnect, Chamberlain, Elgato and others require users to have a third-gen Apple TV (running software 7.0 or later) on their network in order to take advantage of Siri remote control capabilities.

Apple names unique puzzler ‘Mujo’ its free App of the Week

Apple has just named Mujo, by Oink Games, its App of the Week for this week. This means that from now through next Thursday, you’ll be able to pick up the unique puzzler for both iPhone and iPad, for free—a nice little savings of $3.

In Mujo, players are tasked with fighting off monsters using power obtained through an on-screen puzzle. The gameplay feels like a mix of tile-stacking, similar to that in the hit game Threes!, and strategic character leveling of an RPG.

Apple hires former HP exec to boost corporate sales

Apple has hired former HP senior vice president John Solomon, according to a new report from Recode. A spokesperson for the handset-maker has confirmed the hire, but would not specify what Solomon's title or role would be with the company.

Recode's Arik Hesseldahl is hearing, though, that Solomon will be "central to Apple’s push to boost sales to big companies and government agencies with large technology budgets." He may also play a part in international sales of the Apple Watch.

Evernote launches ‘Scannable’ iOS app for automatic document scanning

Evernote today released a new app for scanning various types of documents called Evernote Scannable. The app, which has been in beta for several months, is capable of scanning and managing contracts, receipts, business cards, and virtually any other kind of paper item you can think of.

Scanning happens quickly and automatically. Simply load up the app and point your device's camera at the document you want to scan in, and it will capture the image and make adjustments on the fly—such as rotating, cropping, sharpening, etc.—so your scans are clear and easy to read.

Apple seeds new OS X 10.10.2 beta to developers

Apple has seeded a new beta of its upcoming OS X Yosemite 10.10.2 this afternoon. The update, labeled build 14C94b, is available through the Update tab in the Mac App Store and the Dev Center for all registered Mac developers.

Today’s release comes a few weeks after the previous OS X 10.10.2 beta, and Apple has once again asked developers to focus their testing efforts on Wi-Fi connectivity—a long-standing Yosemite issue—as well as Mail and VoiceOver.

CES 2015: Incipio’s new Prompt Folio iPad case has a built-in display for notifications

Incipio announced a unique new case for Apple's iPad Air tablet at the Consumer Electronics show in Las Vegas today. The case, which it's calling the Prompt Notification Folio, features a built-in OLED screen for discreetly delivering notifications from a connected device.

The Folio connects to "most smart devices" using Bluetooth Low Energy, and is capable of displaying incoming phone calls, emails, text messages, calendar appointments, low battery alerts, and more. Battery life for the case falls between 7-10 days per complete charge.

Apple Watch set to launch in March, says new report

Apple is planning to launch its Apple Watch within the next month or two, according to a new report from 9to5Mac. The site's Mark Gurman says that the company is finishing up work on the wearable's software, and sources familiar with the project say it's on track to begin shipping in the US by the end of March.