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 TV updated with new CBS News channel

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

Apple today added the CBS News channel to the ever-expanding library of content on its Apple TV. The app was pushed OTA and automatically, so users in areas where the channel is available should notice the addition without having to update their software.

The move coincides with the launch of CBS' new CBSN streaming news network, which is being billed as the "first live anchored news network across all leading digital platforms." Strangely enough, CBS doesn't mention the Apple TV in the official press release.

Opera Mini 9 adds Video Boost, promises less buffering and data usage

Cody Lee ∙ Updated August 30, 2023

Opera has released an update for its iOS web browser, Opera Mini, bringing the app to version 9.0. There isn't much of a change log, but there is a significant new video compression feature Opera is calling Video Boost.

Built on Skyfire's video optimization tech, Video Boost aims to lessen both buffering and data usage while streaming video content. It accomplishes this by quickly shrinking down video data before it lands on your device.

Apple rolls out refreshed Mac App Store design for OS X Yosemite

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

Late Wednesday evening, Apple began rolling out a refreshed UI design for its Mac App Store in OS X Yosemite. Following up last month's OS X update, the new Mac App Store look features flatter graphics, thinner font styling, and tons of white space.

As you can see in the screenshot above, Apple has done away with skeumorphic elements like shadows and well-defined tables, in favor of thin gray lines. The new UI feels faster, lighter and more streamlined, and again more in line with OS X Yosemite.

Reeder 2 update brings support for iPhone 6 and share extensions

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

Popular RSS feed reader Reeder 2 has received a significant update this evening, bringing the app to version 2.6. The update includes a handful of highly-requested new features, such as support for the larger displays of the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus and Landscape mode (iOS 8 only).

Additionally, 2.6 brings about support for iOS 8's share extensions, adding the now-familiar "More" option to Reeder's share sheet. This will allow users to share articles and other content they come across in Reeder to other services outside of the app's default sharing options.

New malware ‘WireLurker’ found infecting Macs and iOS devices in China

Cody Lee ∙ November 5, 2014

Security researchers at Palo Alto Networks say they've uncovered a new malware campaign targeting Macs and iOS that is the "biggest in scale" it has ever seen. Dubbed WireLurker, the malware has infected more than 400 apps in the Maiyadi App Store, a third-party Mac app store in China.

In the last six months, researchers say 467 infected applications have been downloaded 356,104 times, and “may have impacted hundreds of thousands of users.” The scary part is, the malware can be transmitted to a connected iOS device via USB, regardless of whether or not it's jailbroken.

Next-gen iPhone rumored to feature glasses-free 3D display

Cody Lee ∙ November 5, 2014

The next iPhone released may feature a glasses-free 3D display, according to a report from Economic Daily News. The Taiwanese publication says that Apple supply chain partner TPK is currently raising funds for an upcoming Apple project, and its sources indicate it has something to do with a "naked eye 3D screen."

As we've stated before, Economic Daily News has a spotty track record in providing Apple intel, posting dozens of both accurate and inaccurate stories. It's possible, though, that Apple is planning to make 3D displays one of the headlining features of its next iPhone, much like Touch ID and Siri were for 5s and 4s models.

The EFF ranks iMessage and FaceTime as most secure mass-market messaging options

Cody Lee ∙ November 5, 2014

The Electronic Frontier Foundation (or EFF) has posted a new Secure Messaging Scorecard, which ranks popular messaging offerings based on their security measures. The Scorecard uses a variety of metrics, such as methods of encryption and user privacy, and Apple's messaging options faired rather well.

While dedicated secure messaging apps like ChatSecure and CryptoCat scored the highest, the EFF found Apple's iMessage and FaceTime systems to be "the best of the mass-market options." The two services were found more secure than several high profile apps, including BlackBerry Messenger and Skype.

Jawbone introduces new ‘UP3’ and ‘UP Move’ fitness trackers

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 28, 2019

Jawbone joined the onslaught of pre-holiday wearable announcements this morning, introducing two new connected devices for tracking movement: the UP3 and the UP Move. The UP3 is a much improved version of the current UP24 band, and the UP Move is an inexpensive, clip-on tracker.

The UP3 is billed as the "world's most advanced fitness tracker," and is both smaller and lighter than its predecessor. It's also sporting a refreshed design, and it contains some cutting edge new sensors that allow it do things like measure your resting heart rate, and identify what you are doing.

Infographic offers snapshot of jailbreakers on reddit

Cody Lee ∙ November 4, 2014

The folks over on the popular subreddit r/jailbreak recently participated in a survey, offering up their favorite tweaks, themes, and other information. Over 1,200 people participated in the project, and the results offer a small snapshot of jailbreakers on reddit.

For example, of those that participated, only 51 of them claimed to be female, and over 700 fell into the 15-20 years-old age bracket. The most popular tweak, by far, in the group was Activator, followed by f.lux and BiteSMS. We've embedded the full results below.

Law firm investigating CVS and Rite Aid for potential class action suit over Apple Pay

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

Law firm Schubert Jonckheer & Kolbe has launched an antitrust investigation into CVS and Rite Aid over their decision to stop accepting Apple Pay in their retail stores. As noted by MacRumors, the firm, which specializes in class action lawsuits, made the announcement on their blog last night.

Attorneys for Schubert Jonckheer & Kolbe say that the two retail chains may have violated anti-trust laws, and the situation has class action potential. "Consumers with phones that support Apple Pay may be able to participate in a class action to restore the service at CVS and Rite Aid retail stores."

Real Racing 3 updated with new Maserati vehicles, new events and more

Cody Lee ∙ November 4, 2014

Two months after its 'Classic Lamborghini' update, the folks at EA have posted another new version of its popular Real Racing 3 game today that brings about new vehicles from both Maserati and Ferrari, new bonus events, and much more.

The new vehicles include the Maserati Trident, the GranTurismo MC Stradale, and its limited edition race-spec counterpart. The update also features the LaFerrari—Ferrari's first production car equipped with the F1-derived hybrid engine.

Michael Fassbender now in talks to play Steve Jobs in Sony biopic

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

The tumultuous casting process of Sony's Steve Jobs biopic continues, with Michael Fassbender now reportedly in talks to play the Apple co-founder. Variety reports today that following the departure of Christian Bale, the actor has begun "early talks" with director Danny Boyle and Sony execs.

Although not as well known as Bale, Fassbender has starred in a number of high profile movies, including Quentin Tarantino's Inglorious Basterds and Ridley Scott's Prometheus. He also received an Academy Award nomination for best supporting actor, for his performance in 12 Years a Slave.