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.

Bungie launches companion app for upcoming console game ‘Destiny’

Cody Lee ∙ July 16, 2014

We are rapidly approaching the launch of hit-game-maker Bungie's first major release since leaving the Halo franchise. The game is called Destiny, and it's a combination action role-player and first-person shooter that's landing on consoles in September.

Starting tomorrow, folks with a late-gen Sony or Microsoft console will be able to play a public beta of Destiny. And if you plan on checking it out, you'll want to download the second screen app Bungie just released for iPhone called 'Destiny Companion.'

Google Wallet updated with support for gift cards, free debit card transfers and more

Cody Lee ∙ July 16, 2014

Google today announced a significant update for its Google Wallet service. The new version brings about support for gift cards, money requests, and the ability to send money with your debit card for free, and it should be rolling out to iOS and Android apps shortly.

With the new gift card support, users will be able to save their electronic cards to Google Wallet, redeem them in-store, and even check their balances [only at participating merchants]. The Wallet app can even remind you to use your card when you are near stores...

Satellite subscription-free NFL Sunday Ticket coming to iOS, Mac this fall

Cody Lee ∙ July 16, 2014

NFL Sunday Ticket has announced today that it will be offered as a standalone subscription package for the first time this year. Access to the popular TV sports package, which was once exclusive to DirecTV subscribers, will be available to everyone in the 2014 NFL season for a 1-time subscription fee.

No official announcement has been made, but Sunday Ticket has put up a promotional page with details about the new service. It looks like subscription prices will start at $200, which again will not require DirecTV, and the content will be accessible from a number of devices, including iOS and Mac...

T-Mobile announces accessory payment plans coming July 20th

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 17, 2018

As expected, T-Mobile has announced that it plans to begin offering accessories under its equipment installment plan. The program, which initially launched last year, allows customers to purchase mobile devices [and now accessories] for $0 and small monthly payments spread out over two years.

The plan does not require a downpayment for qualified customers, and applies to all accessories priced between $69 and $250. Customers must be a T-Mobile subscriber, with a Simple Choice plan, and if the service is ever terminated, they'll be required to pay the remaining monthly payments in full...

Senate passes cellphone unlocking bill

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 17, 2018

The Senate has passed a bill legalizing cellphone unlocking this week. The unanimous decision to pass the legislation, which was penned by Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy, came last night, and it will now move to the House and onto President Obama.

The bill reinstates a 2010 ruling by the Librarian of Congress so that consumers can 'unlock' their cell phones without worrying about copyright laws. It also directs Congress to consider whether other wireless devices, such as tablets, should be eligible for unlocking...

Apple and IBM announce major enterprise mobility partnership

Cody Lee ∙ July 15, 2014

Apple and IBM announced this afternoon that the two tech giants have entered an exclusive partnership to "transform enterprise mobility." The pair will utilize the market-leading strengths of each company to bring about a whole new class of business apps to iPhone and iPad.

These apps will be for a variety of fields, including retail, healthcare, banking and travel, with some of the software becoming available by the end of the year. IBM is also working on a new 'MobileFirst Platform for iOS,' will be an end-to-end enterprise solution for iOS devices...

Apple launches iPhone and iPad trade-in program in Australia

Cody Lee ∙ Updated March 19, 2018

As expected, Apple has officially launched its iPhone and iPad trade-in program in Australia today. The company made the announcement via a statement provided to an Australian MSN affiliate this morning.

Customers can receive a maximum of A$250 (or roughly $234 USD) for their iPhones, and A$215 ($202 USD) for iPad trade-ins. Newer devices like the iPhone 5s and 5c are not eligible, nor are first-gen models...

PayPal updated with loyalty card support, faster logins and more

Cody Lee ∙ July 15, 2014

PayPal pushed out an update to its iOS client last night, bringing the app to version 5.5. The update brings about the usual bug fixes and performance improvements, but it also adds a big new feature: support for loyalty cards.

This means PayPal users will be able to carry virtual versions of their favorite loyalty cards—such as Starbucks, CVS, and several other retailers—within the app, essentially making it a one-stop shop for payments and checkins...

Apple launches new ‘iTunes Pass’ service in Japan for refilling iTunes credit

Cody Lee ∙ July 15, 2014

Apple has launched a new service in Japan called iTunes Pass. The program is actually quite interesting, as it appears to allow customers to purchase iTunes Store credit from an Apple retail store, using Passbook instead of physical gift cards.

Users have long been able to store gift cards in Passbook, but we've never seen a direct-to-Passbook service like this, without the need to redeem a code. It almost looks like this could be a prequel to Apple's oft-rumored mobile payment system...

Apple says iOS 7 is now installed on 90% of compatible devices

Cody Lee ∙ Updated February 27, 2018

Apple has updated its App Store support page for developers this week to reflect new information regarding iOS 7 adoption. According to the company’s usage data, the latest versions of its OS are running on 90% of iOS devices accessing the App Store.

That’s just a small jump from Apple's report a few months ago, where it claimed iOS 7 adoption had reached 87% of compatible devices. But it's still impressive given what the adoption rate looks like for competitors, and how hard it is to move the needle...

Shazam for iOS updated with in-app track playback via Rdio

Cody Lee ∙ July 15, 2014

Shazam has updated its free and Encore iOS apps, bringing them both to version 7.7.0. The update brings about a new feature to both clients that allows users to play back recognized songs in-app, courtesy of Rdio.

While users have long been able to do this—play recognized tracks through Rdio—past functionality required them to switch out of Shazam and into Rdio. They can now playback [full] songs without switching apps...

Apple iBeacon hardware revealed in FCC filings

Cody Lee ∙ July 13, 2014

Apple's iBeacon technology has seen a lot of success in its first year. The tech, which allows administrators to push data to smartphones based on their location, has already been adopted by a number of retailers and organizations.

But thus far, Apple's success with iBeacons has been limited to software, as it's left the hardware up to third-party firms. It looks like that's about to change, though, as FCC filings reveal that the company has built its own iBeacon...