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.

Nike CEO talks new focus on software for wearables, excited about future with Apple

Cody Lee ∙ April 25, 2014

Following the news last week that Nike is gearing up to shutter its wearable hardware efforts, CEO Mark Parker appeared on CNBC today to talk about the new direction. Parker says the company's goal is to expand the FuelBand system, and that software and strategic partnerships will help them with that.

Obviously, he couldn't say anything directly about the rumors that Nike is teaming up with Apple on a product, but Parker did note that the two companies have been working together for a long time. And when pressed about the speculation, he said that [Nike] is 'excited' about the future of the relationship...

Hulu Plus app updated with remote control support for game consoles

Cody Lee ∙ Updated November 27, 2017

Hulu posted a significant update for its Plus iOS client this morning, bringing the app to version 3.5.2. The release includes a new remote control feature that will enable users to control the Hulu Plus experience on their Xbox One, PS3 or PS4 console using an iPhone or iPad.

Setup is a breeze. Simply launch the Hulu Plus app on your iOS (or Android) device, and it will automatically detect your gaming console. Once detected, a 'Cast' button will appear in the app, allowing you to pair your smartphone or tablet to the selected console and take control...

Pinterest app updated with new ‘Guided Search’ feature

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 16, 2018

Pinterest users may be interested to know that the photo-sharing site rolled out a major new feature to its mobile apps this morning. It's called 'Guided Search,' and it comes via an App Store update, which brings both the iPhone and iPad client to version 3.6.

Guided Search is a tool made for exploring Pinterest when you don't know exactly what you're looking for. So for example, if you enter a vague search time like 'vacation,' the tool will help you hone in on a category (i.e. camping, beach, etc) or specific location...

NBC’s ‘Today’ offers peek inside Apple’s North Carolina data center

Cody Lee ∙ April 25, 2014

Continuing with its recent 'green' marketing push, Apple offered folks a rare look inside its Maiden, North Carolina data center last night. The company paired up with NBC chief environmental correspondent Anne Thompson to do a spot on Thursday's edition of the 'Today' show regarding its various environmental initiatives.

The piece is fairly short—just under 3 minutes—but it's interesting because it gives you a peek inside Apple's data center operations, and details some of the equipment used to power the large buildings. Also, it features a brief appearance by the company's newly-appointed Vice President of Environmental Initiatives Lisa Jackson...

Pioneer exec talks CarPlay and what it’s like to work with Apple

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 16, 2018

Since Apple announced CarPlay last month, the most common question has been about aftermarket products. Most folks don't have the money to just go out and buy a brand new car, so they want to know when they'll be able to install the system in their current vehicle.

Initially, the prognoses didn't look very good, but Apple confirmed last week that both Alpine and Pioneer are working on aftermarket CarPlay solutions to be released this year. And recently, MacRumors sat down with Pioneer's Ted Cardenas to talk about the project...

Some users seeing significant battery life improvement with iOS 7.1.1

Cody Lee ∙ April 24, 2014

In addition to Touch ID enhancements and bug fixes, it looks like iOS 7.1.1 also brings about battery life improvements. Several users are reporting seeing markedly-improved battery life since installing the update, which Apple seeded to the public on Tuesday.

ZDNet's Adrian Kingsley-Hughes says that battery performance on his iPhone 5 dropped significantly following last month's iOS 7.1 release. But since updating to 7.1.1, Hughes says that it's gone back up to just as good, if not better, than it was when he first got it...

Apple, Google and others settle anti-poaching suit

Cody Lee ∙ April 24, 2014

Reuters is reporting this afternoon that Apple, Google, Adobe, and Intel have reached a settlement in their long-running antitrust lawsuit filed by employees who claim the companies agreed to not hire employees from one another.

The settlement comes just a month before the trial was slated to begin in the US District Court of northern California. The lawsuit covered more than 60,000 workers, and damages from the trial were expected to exceed $9 billion...

eBay app receives big update with new Home page, larger photos and more

Cody Lee ∙ April 24, 2014

Good news for eBay users this afternoon, the e-commerce giant has posted a significant update for its iOS client, bringing the app to version 3.3. The update brings about a number of new features and improvements, including a redesigned Home page, Passbook support and more.

The revamped Home page includes Watched items, Feed and eBay Deals—everything you'd want to see upon first launching the app. Other areas have been refreshed as well, with larger photos and new product reviews for items in the eBay Catalog. Full change log after the break...

New report says iPhone 6 may feature curved display, all-aluminum shell

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 16, 2018

According to a new report from Japanese blog Macotakara, the next-generation iPhone may see some radical design changes. Citing 'reliable sources,' the publication said that the handset will feature rounded edges, a curved glass display, and an all-aluminum rear shell.

More specifically, the report says that the iPhone 6's display will be slightly curved in order to accommodate the new rounded edges. It even goes so far as to liken the device's profile to the Japan-made Squair Curvaceous Bumper [above], an aluminum bumper for iPhone...

Vevo launches revamped iOS app with new design, real-time feed and more

Cody Lee ∙ Updated October 13, 2018

Vevo launched a new version of its iOS client this morning, bringing the app to version 3.0. The update brings about an all new design, inspired by iOS 7, as well as various other improvements including new real-time feed and mini-player features.

For those unfamiliar with Vevo, it's a video hosting service that is often referred to as the 'Hulu' of music videos. A joint venture of two of the 3 major music labels, the company offers access to more than 75,000 music videos from over 21,000 artists...

The Weather Channel app updated with all-new iOS 7 design

Cody Lee ∙ April 24, 2014

The Weather Channel app has long been a favorite for iOS users. It provides fast, accurate information, and offers tons of features for the more serious weather watchers. In fact, the only complaint I've ever really heard about the app had to do with its decidedly dated design.

That changed this morning, though, as the app was updated with an all-new iOS 7-inspired look. It now features rounded, translucent UI elements and larger, sharper graphics. Users will also notice that the app is much faster thanks to a number of performance improvements...

Alleged iPhone 6 case compared to Nexus 5, Galaxy Note 3 in new video

Cody Lee ∙ April 24, 2014

We don't know if they're real or not, but a number of cases supposedly made for the next iPhone have surfaced online in the past few weeks. It seems like they are all based on the 'iPhone 6' schematic drawing published last month, depicting a thin handset with rounded corners and a large display.

Today we get a better idea of the purported device's size thanks to a new comparison video by Unbox Therapy. The clip shows how one of these iPhone 6 cases stacks up against other popular smartphones—including the iPhone 5s, Nexus 5 and the Galaxy Note 3—in terms of various measurements...