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’s new CarPlay feature will not support Pandora at launch

Cody Lee ∙ March 4, 2014

When Apple officially announced CarPlay, its highly anticipated vehicle integration project, yesterday, it noted the feature would support third-party music apps. The list it provided, however, was rather short including just iTunes Radio, Beats, Spotify, Stitcher Radio and iHeartRadio.

So what about all of the others? It's not looking good. Pandora confirmed with MacRumors last night that CarPlay will not include integration with its popular streaming music service, at least at launch. Despite this, the company says that Apple "continues to be a valued partner."

Facebook updates Paper with new sharing options, sound settings and more

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 24, 2018

Facebook has posted an update for its just-released Paper app this morning, bringing the app to version 1.0.2. The update adds a handful of new features, as well as several improvements including those in the form of reliability and performance.

On the new feature front, Facebook has added the ability to share articles via Facebook Messages, text message, or email. And you can also now turn off the app's sound effects so you can browse through the posts of your friends and family in peace...

Intel reportedly buys smartwatch maker Basis for $100+ million

Cody Lee ∙ March 4, 2014

TechCrunch is reporting that Intel has acquired smartwatch maker Basis for between $100 and $150 million. The buyout follows a scoop from February that the startup was shopping itself around to a number of high-profile tech firms including Google, Microsoft and yes, Apple.

For those unfamiliar with the brand, Basis makes a smartwatch-like device called the Basis Health Fitness Tracker, which it calls the “world’s most advanced health tracker.” The wearable is capable of capturing heart rate patterns, tracking multiple sleep stages and much more...

Twitter ‘system error’ causes mass reset of user passwords

Cody Lee ∙ Updated May 16, 2016

Folks who received an email from Twitter tonight letting them know that their password has been reset are not alone. Thousands of users have come forward over the last 6 hours claiming that Twitter has force-reset their passwords, and requested that they create new ones.

The good news is that it doesn't sound like the social network was hacked, or overrun with nefarious bots. A spokesperson for the company has confirmed to tech site Recode that a 'system error' caused the mass reset of user passwords, and the problem should be fixed now...

Marvel announces ‘Uncanny X-Men: Days of Future Past’ coming to iOS in May

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

X-Men fans will be happy to hear that Marvel has announced that a mobile tie-in game for its upcoming X-Men: Days of Future Past film is in the works. The publisher announced today that it has teamed up with studio Glitchsoft to create 'Uncanny X-Men: Days of Future Past.'

In a blog post this afternoon, Glitchsoft wrote that the game will give X-Men enthusiasts the chance to engage Marvel’s 1981 landmark Days of Future Past comic book story arc in an immersive and story-driven game 'unlike anything available on mobile.' Read on for more details...

Apple launches ‘CarPlay,’ a smarter, safer way to use your iPhone in the car

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 16, 2018

As expected, Apple has launched its iOS in the Car initiative today at the Geneva Motor Show. It's officially calling the offering 'CarPlay,' and is advertising the feature as a smarter, safer and more fun way to use your iPhone while in the car.

But looking at the press release, CarPlay will function exactly as we've been led to believe it would. Users will be able to control it through their car's native interface, or by activating Siri via the voice control button on their steering wheel...

Auxo 2 teased in videos

Cody Lee ∙ Updated May 31, 2017

In October 2012, we posted a few images from a concept by an up-and-coming designer called “Rethinking the App Switcher for the iPhone 5." As the name suggested, the concept offered a different take on the then-bottom-loading app switcher.

That designer's name was Sentry, who is now one of the most well-known figures in the jailbreak community, and that concept went on to become Auxo, perhaps one of the most popular tweaks of all time. And yes, folks, a sequel is on the way...

Evasi0n7 1.0.7 released with fix for bundled package list issue in Cydia

Cody Lee ∙ March 1, 2014

The evad3rs have released an update to their evasi0n7 jailbreak tool this afternoon. The update, which brings the tool to version 1.0.7, includes a fix for a known issue where the bundled package lists could not be updated by Cydia.

This is more of a maintenance update, as it doesn't really add new features or benefits for people who aren't experiencing the above problem. So unless you are seeing the issue, there's no reason for you to restore and re-jailbreak...

New report claims revamped Apple TV could land ‘any week now’

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 16, 2018

When it comes to the Apple TV, it seems like everyone agrees that a new one is coming. But just when it will get here is a different story. We've heard everything from 'as early April,' to 'before WWDC in June,' and as late as 'in the fall this year with Apple's other product refreshes.'

The latest report, which comes from The Financial Times, claims that the refreshed Apple TV is finished and could land much sooner than everyone is expecting. Citing sources familiar with the company's plans, the outlet says that Apple's new set-top box could land "any week now."

Tim Cook described as a ‘machine’ and ‘riveting’ in new book on post-Jobs Apple

Cody Lee ∙ Updated October 13, 2018

When Tim Cook officially took over the CEO position for Steve Jobs in late 2011, he had some major shoes to fill. Jobs wasn't just chief executive at Apple, he was also its co-founder, savior and visionary. And he was arguably one of the most famous leaders of our generation.

But Cook has done a good job thus far. Apple's the most profitable company in the world right now, coming off another record-breaking quarter, and it has some big things planned for 2014. So what's his secret? A new book about Apple post-Jobs attempts to answer just that...

Apple to launch iOS in the Car next week with Ferrari, Volvo and Mercedes-Benz

Cody Lee ∙ February 28, 2014

Nearly a year after its introduction, it looks like Apple is finally ready to launch iOS in the Car. The Financial Times is reporting that the company plans to introduce the new feature next week with 3 major launch partners: Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo.

Oddly enough, the Times doesn't mention the project by name, but says that drivers will be able to use Apple's 'in-car operating system' to use Apple Maps, watch movies, listen to music, make phone calls and send messages using the vehicle's in-dash display...

Intelliborn posts screenshots and video of IntelliScreenX 7

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

Last week we told you that Intelliborn announced it would be launching the beta of its highly-anticipated jailbreak tweak IntelliScreenX 7 this week. Well, the tweak isn't quite ready yet, but Intelliborn has released something that should make the wait a little less painful.

The developers have posted a couple of screenshots of of IntelliScreenX update this afternoon, as well as a video showing the tweak in action. And judging by what we've seen so far here, they weren't kidding when they told us last week that "the wait would be worth it."