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.

Kik messenger app gains handy new ‘new people’ section

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 17, 2018

Kik users will be happy to hear that the cross-platform messenger has updated its iOS client today, bringing the app to version 7.2. The update brings about a handful of new improvements, such as a new block and report feature and the ability to send stickers faster.

But easily the biggest change in 7.2 is the new 'new people' section. This allows you to easily manage your conversations with people who aren't in your contacts, and it blurs out photos and other content files from them until you decide that you'd like to view them...

Adobe Photoshop Touch updated with new brushes, Quick Selection tool and more

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 27, 2018

Adobe has updated its Photoshop Touch app for iPhone this afternoon, bringing it to version 1.2. The update includes new brush types, and a handful of popular Photoshop features including the Quick Selection tool and auto-recovery for unsaved documents.

The Quick Selection tool has the ability to automatically detect the edges of shapes within an image, meaning you won't have to manually outline the shape to select it for editing. This will really come in handy on touch devices, where selection can be tough...

Apple talking with ISPs as it prepares to launch its Content Distribution Network

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 17, 2018

According to a new report from CDN and Internet Services analyst Dan Rayburn, Apple is going ahead with plans to develop its own content delivery network. Rayburn says the company is working on interconnection deals with Internet Service Providers, as it prepares to take its CDN live.

Apple is said to have spent the last 5 years building its CDN, which would be responsible for carrying out iTunes and iCloud content to customers. Currently, the iPad-maker outsources this delivery to third-party companies like Akamai, which means it has no control over quality of service...

Morgan Stanley also believes the iPhone 6 will feature NFC tech

Cody Lee ∙ May 20, 2014

It seems like every time Apple is about to release a new smartphone, NFC rumors pop up. I'm not sure if some folks just really want the technology to succeed, or think the iPhone needs it to be compatible with various products and services, but the talk has seriously become an annual thing.

And this year is no different. Back in March, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo noted that his supply chain checks signaled that Apple was building NFC chips for its iPhone 6, and earlier this month, Brightwire echo'ed the claim. Today, Morgan Stanley adds its weight to the claim in an investors note...

Angela Ahrendts makes good first impression in first weeks at Apple

Cody Lee ∙ May 19, 2014

Apple's former SVP of retail John Browett left a bad taste in everyone's mouth. After just six months in the position, it was pretty clear he wasn't right for the job, and Tim Cook fired him. And not only that, but he spent over a year finding a proper replacement.

The good news is, that replacement was Angela Ahrendts, and by all accounts she's nothing like Browett. In fact, according to a new report from 9to5Mac, she has already visited a number Apple Stores in the the San Francisco area, and the employees love her...

Apple expands its iPad trade-in program overseas

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 17, 2018

Last month, Apple expanded its in-store trade-in program to include iPads. Under its Reuse and Recycling initiative, the program allows users to bring in their old iPads and trade them in for store credit, based on model, condition and other factors.

Initially, the option was only available at Apple stores in the US and Canada, but the company has expanded it overseas this week. Reports are coming in this morning that the iPad trade-in program is now available in France, Spain and Germany...

The Augment offers a new take on the iPhone battery case

Cody Lee ∙ May 19, 2014

If you're in the market for an iPhone battery case, you really only have one option. Well, actually you have hundreds of options, but for the most part they all look the same. Don't believe me? Do a Google Image search for the term 'iPhone battery case.'

Enter the new Augment iPhone case, by Rubix. It features a square design, with a detachable battery pack, so that you can get extra power when you need, and none of the added bulk when you don't. This is definitely not your typical mophie juice pack...

Facebook reportedly working on Snapchat competitor codenamed ‘Slingshot’

Cody Lee ∙ May 18, 2014

Facebook is working on a new mobile application for video and ephemeral messaging, according to a report from the Financial Times. The outlet says the app is being referred to as 'Slingshot' internally, and is intended to go head-to-head with Snapchat.

Snapchat rejected an acquisition offer from Facebook last year worth some $3 billion, explaining that it wanted to hold out for more money. The social network has since bought messaging giant WhatsApp, but it obviously still feels that something's missing...

AT&T announces acquisition of DirecTV for close to $50 billion

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 17, 2018

As expected, AT&T has announced today that it has reached a deal to acquire satellite TV heavyweight DirecTV. The buyout will come in the form of a stock-and-cash transaction—$95 per share based on AT&T's Friday closing price—worth in upwards of $50 billion.

Between DirecTV’s satellite business and AT&T’s U-verse arm, the move results in a combined 26 million TV subscribers. That essentially makes AT&T the number one pay-TV provider, second if the long-rumored Comcast/Time Warner Cable deal ever goes through...

Italian regulators investigating Apple over ‘freemium’ app pricing model

Cody Lee ∙ Updated October 13, 2018

Apple is one of a handful of tech companies being investigated by Italian regulators over the popular 'freemium' app pricing model. On Friday, Italy's Antitrust and Competition Authority said it's investigating Apple, Google, Amazon and Gameloft over apps that offer in-app purchases.

The agency wants to determine whether or not the companies offer sufficient information in their respective apps and app stores regarding pay-for in-app content. It feels consumers may be confused by the idea of downloading a game for free, and then receiving charges after the fact...

I0n1c posts photo of jailbroken iPhone 5c running iOS 7.1.1

Cody Lee ∙ Updated February 11, 2016

When we did our 'state of the iOS 7.1 jailbreak' post earlier this month, we noted that there is currently no public jailbreak available for iOS 7.1 and newer firmwares. Apple patched the exploits used by evasi0n7 in 7.1, thus ending the jailbreak tool's impressive 4-month long run.

That doesn't mean that iOS 7.1 isn't jailbreakable though. In fact, we've seen proof from winocm and others that it is. And this afternoon, we're adding more evidence to the pile, as infamous hacker i0n1c has just tweeted a screenshot of his jailbroken iPhone 5c running iOS 7.1.1...

Beautiful new concept envisions iWatch as a high-end wristwatch

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 28, 2019

One of the crazier rumors we've heard thus far involving the iWatch comes from analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who said the accessory may cost as much as 'several thousand dollars.' Kuo is well respected in the Apple community, but this particular prediction seemed a bit off.

That is, unless the iWatch ends up looking like this new concept from Curved/labs that surfaced earlier this week. The site envisions the rumored smartwatch looking like a high-end Rolex, with a digital chronograph face, wireless charging, and several other features...