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: all new App Store submissions must be ‘optimized for iOS 7’ starting February 1

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

Apple has published a new note on its developer portal this evening, announcing some upcoming changes to its App Store policy. Starting next year, all new App Store submissions must be built with the latest version of Xcode 5 and 'optimized for iOS 7.'

The new rule goes into effect on February 1, 2014, and applies to both new apps and updates. So that means that, after this date, any apps that are built on older versions of Xcode or that haven't been optimized for iOS 7 will be rejected from the App Store...

Real Racing 3 update adds real-time multiplayer, new cars and more

Cody Lee ∙ December 17, 2013

Hot on the heels of its major Ferrari update last month, the folks at EA have posted another new version of its popular Real Racing 3 game this week that brings about two new supercars, new Vertex events and new features.

Perhaps the biggest addition in today's update is the new Real-Time Multiplayer mode, which runs through Game Center. Now you can race with up to 4 of your friends completely live, in various events and tournaments...

Apple enables gifting for iBooks in time for the holidays

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

If digital books are on your Christmas shopping list, then you'll be happy to hear that you can now do at least part of your shopping in Apple's iBookstore. The company has enabled gifting for iBooks just in time for the holidays.

Gifting in the iBookstore works exactly like it does in Apple’s iTunes and App Stores. Once you've chosen the book you’d like to gift, then simply tap on the drop-down arrow next to the price on your Mac, or the Share button in iOS...

Short video from Obama’s recent meeting with Tim Cook and other tech execs

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

As we reported yesterday, Tim Cook and a number of other executives from prominent tech companies met with US President Barack Obama at the White House to discuss a wide range of government and tech-related topics.

Among the topics were said to be the recent struggles with the rollout of the healthcare.gov website and privacy concerns regarding government surveillance. And this afternoon, a short video of the meeting surfaced on the web...

Mailbox app updated with support for iCloud, Yahoo Mail and more

Cody Lee ∙ Updated February 13, 2018

The Dropbox-owned Mailbox app received a major update today, bringing the email client to version 1.7. The update adds a highly-anticipated feature: support for other email services like Yahoo, iCloud, and others.

Up until now, the popular Mailbox app only supported Gmail accounts. But with today's release, users can now use the app to access and manage their Inboxes from Yahoo Mail, and various Apple email extensions...

Google Glass companion app ‘MyGlass’ launches in the App Store

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

Good news for Google Glass owners in Apple's ecosystem this morning. Google has launched MyGlass, its official companion app for its $1,500 computerized glasses, for iOS that will allow you to configure and manage them from your iPhone.

Use the application to set up Glass, get directions on the go, screencast whatever you see on Glass to your iPhone's display, and add Glassware and contacts. It looks like you can do everything in the iOS version that you can on Android...

Qualcomm employee: Apple’s 64-bit A7 chip ‘set off panic in the industry’

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

In October, Qualcomm’s chief marketing officer Anand Chandrasekher made headlines when he commented in an interview that Apple's new 64-bit A7 chip was just a 'marketing gimmick' that added 'zero benefit' for the customer.

Qualcomm was quick to backtrack on the executive's remarks, and according to a new report, that's not what it was thinking at all. Speaking with a source inside the company, Dan Lyons says Apple's 64-bit chip rocked the industry...

Apple launches ‘Best of 2013’ iTunes page for top apps, games and more

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 27, 2019

As it has done every December since 2009, Apple has published an iTunes page today highlighting the top performing downloads in its various digital storefronts. The page covers everything from apps to games, to books and movies.

Apple named Duolingo, a free app that teaches you how to speak in different languages, its iPhone App of the Year and the popular 'Ridiculous Fishing - A Tale of Redemption' its iPhone Game of the Year. More top picks after the fold...

Facebook updates Pages Manager app with new iOS 7 design

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

Facebook has posted an update for its Pages Manager this week, bringing the app to version 2.2. The update includes some new tagging features, some performance improvements and an all new design for iOS 7.

For those unfamiliar with Facebook's Pages Manager, it allows admins to interact with their audiences and keep tabs on activity for their pages by doing things like viewing Insights and replying to private messages...

Apple airs new holiday-themed iPhone 5s TV ad

Cody Lee ∙ December 16, 2013

Apple has tonight begun airing its first new commercial in nearly a month. As you'd imagine in mid-December, the spot carries a holiday theme and focuses on the new iPhone 5s handset and its AirPlay feature.

The ad shows a teenage boy capturing his family participating in various holiday activities like decorating the Christmas tree and playing in the snow on his iPhone 5s, and then playing it for them on their TV set...

President Obama meeting with Tim Cook and others over NSA and health care website

Cody Lee ∙ December 16, 2013

The White House has announced that President Obama is scheduled to meet with a number of tech executives tomorrow to discuss a wide range of subjects. Two of the big topics on the menu are said to be the NSA and the troubled HealthCare.gov website.

In addition, the group—which includes Apple CEO Tim Cook, Twitter's Dick Costolo, Netflix's Reed Hastings, and Dropbox's Drew Houston—will discuss ways the Obama administration can partner with the tech sector to create new jobs and grow the economy...

RadioShack offering free $100 gift card with purchase of 16GB Wi-Fi iPad mini

Cody Lee ∙ December 16, 2013

Those of you in the market for an iPad mini right now will definitely want to check out your local RadioShack. The retailer has informed us that it is offering free $100 gift cards with the purchase of entry-level iPad mini models for a limited time.

The promotion only applies for in-store purchases of the 16GB Wi-Fi-only first generation mini, and the gift card can't be used until your next visit. Still, depending on how frequently you shop at RadioShack, this could equate to a $100 discount...