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.

Amazon releases new app for Amazon sellers

Cody Lee ∙ March 7, 2014

Amazon quietly launched a new mobile application yesterday called Amazon Seller. As the name suggests, the app was designed to help individuals and businesses manage their product listings on Amazon's Marketplace and communicate with their customers.

The app offers a suite of mobile tools that will allow sellers to perform a wide range of functions on their mobile phones. These functions include the scanning of barcodes on items, price checking, viewing sales ranking and reviews and even the listing of products...

First OS X 10.9.3 beta includes new ‘Retina’ resolution option for 4K displays

Cody Lee ∙ March 7, 2014

Late yesterday, Apple seeded the first beta of OS X 10.9.3 to Mac developers. The beta seemed insignificant, with no mention of any changes or new features; just a brief request that devs focus their testing on audio and graphics.

But as it turns out, there is at least one notable difference in the beta: a new 'Native' Retina resolution option for 4K displays. This enables users with compatible displays to use OS X in a noticeably sharper Retina mode at 60Hz...

Jawbone’s new ‘UP Coffee’ app tracks how caffeine affects your sleep patterns

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 26, 2018

Popular accessory and wearables maker Jawbone has released an interesting new app for iPhone today. It's called 'UP Coffee,' and it's the first product from product from Jawbone Labs—an initiative that allows Jawbone employees get experimental with personal projects.

The purpose of UP Coffee is to help users understand how caffeine affects their sleep. Despite its name, users won't need an UP band to use the app, and they don't have to drink coffee. You can enter in virtually any caffeinated liquid you want, and watch the app do its thing...

Apple seeds first OS X 10.9.3 beta to developers

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 16, 2018

Apple has seeded the first OS X 10.9.3 to registered Mac developers this evening. The release comes just a week after Apple released OS X 10.9.2 with fixes for SSL bug, Mail and FaceTime audio.

The new beta build is available to registered Mac developers through the Software Update tab in the Mac App Store, or as a full download via the Mac section of Apple’s online developer portal…

Developers say CarPlay is fairly easy to integrate into third-party apps

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 23, 2018

Since Apple introduced CarPlay earlier this week, it seems like it's all anyone can talk about. We know that the feature runs on BlackBerry's QNX platform, we know that it's going to launch first in Volvo, Ferrari and Mercedes Benz vehicles, and we know that aftermarket solutions will be available.

But what about third-party software support? According to a new report, driver safety is Apple's main concern right now, so it's taking a “slow and steady” approach with the CarPlay API. But the good news is, when it does grant devs access, the feature will be fairly easy to integrate into existing apps...

Apple updates iTunes Festival app with SXSW content and new iOS 7 design

Cody Lee ∙ Updated February 1, 2018

Apple has released version 5.0 of its iTunes Festival app this afternoon, updating the app with information pertaining to next week's Festival at SXSW and an all new iOS 7 design. The Festival takes place March 11-15 at ACL Live at the Moody Theater in Austin, TX.

This will be the first time Apple has hosted one of its iTunes Festivals within the United States, and the lineup we've seen so far has been star-studded with musical acts like Coldplay, Imagine Dragons, Pitbull, ZEDD, Kendrick Lamar, Soundgarden and several others...

Apple said to be ‘scrambling’ to make changes to IAP policies required by March 31

Cody Lee ∙ March 6, 2014

In a settlement with the FTC earlier this year regarding a lawsuit over in-app purchases, Apple told the commission that it would issue refunds to those affected and modify its in-app billing system to make things more clear. The FTC agreed and gave the company until March 31, 2014 to make the changes.

In order to meet the government's orders, Apple must alter its billing practices to obtain a user's express consent before billing them for an in-app purchase, and provide them with an easy way to withdraw that consent. And according to a new report, Apple engineers are scrambling to meet the deadline...

New ‘Wello’ iPhone case measures blood pressure, temperature and more

Cody Lee ∙ Updated December 27, 2017

Rumor has it that Apple's so-called iWatch will be capable of reading your blood pressure, heart rate and other vital signs. But you may not have to wait until its release to purchase such a device. Meet the 'Wello,' the all-in-one health-tracking iPhone case.

The Wello has built-in sensors that can give you a picture of your overall health after holding it for just a few seconds. It measures heart rate, blood pressure, temperature, and blood oxygen levels—and can even test your lung function via a small attachment...

Eddy Cue and other Apple execs granted $19 million in restricted stock bonuses

Cody Lee ∙ March 6, 2014

According to some recent SEC filings, Eddy Cue, Phil Schiller and other Apple executives have been awarded restricted stock bonuses that will vest over the next 3 years. The bonuses consist of more than 30,000 shares, worth in upwards of $19 million at today's prices.

Restricted stock units, or RSUs, are typically given as an incentive to stay with a company. Additionally, since they convert into shares of stock upon vesting, they encourage execs to put their 'best foot forward' as their value directly correlates to the firm's performance...

Paypal updated with new security features, Smart Connect support and more

Cody Lee ∙ March 6, 2014

Folks who use eBay's PayPal payment service will be happy to hear that the company updated its iOS client this morning, bringing the app to version 5.4. The update brings about an important new security feature as well as various other improvements.

The new security feature allows you to attach your mobile phone to your PayPal account so that they can be sure it's you authorizing activity. It does this by linking the phone number(s) of the device(s) you use PayPal on to your 4-digit security PIN code...

Oscar Mayer’s new iPhone alarm clock wakes you up to the smell of bacon

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 26, 2018

Of all the smells you can wake up to in the morning, I would have to say that Bacon is perhaps the most alluring. Obviously, that's not the case for everyone, but if I could, I would create an automatic bacon-cooker that I could program to start cooking bacon at 9am every morning.

Fortunately, thanks to Oscar Mayer, all of that may not be necessary. The company has created a new device, aptly-named 'Wake Up & Smell the Bacon,' which pairs with your iPhone to create an alarm clock of sorts that can wake you up to the sound and smell of sizzling bacon...

Tim Cook, Turkish president to attend opening of Apple’s Istanbul store on April 4

Cody Lee ∙ March 5, 2014

Earlier this year, Tim Cook traveled to Turkey to meet with the country's president, to reportedly discuss the opening of a retail store in Istanbul, research and development and other matters. The store opening is of particular significance, as it would be Apple's first in the region.

Well it looks like the talks were successful. According to Turkish Apple blog ElmaDergisi, Apple is set to open a retail store in Istanbul's Zorlu Center on April 4. And as proof of the gravity of the event, both Cook and Turkish president Abdullah Gül are expected to be in attendance...