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.

Artist uses iPad to paint amazing Morgan Freeman portrait

Cody Lee ∙ Updated March 19, 2019

It's believed by some folks that the iPad can only be used as a consumption tool, and isn't capable of producing content. Well apparently no one has told artist Kyle Lambert this, as he uses the popular tablet to paint incredibly realistic celebrity portraits.

In the past he's done celebrities like Will Smith, David Beckham and Madonna, but his latest work of art, which is easily his best, is of famous actor Morgan Freeman. The textures, the intense detail. You just have to watch this video of Lambert at work...

China Mobile quietly opens iPhone 5s, 5c reservation system

Cody Lee ∙ Updated August 4, 2016

Late yesterday evening, China Mobile quietly launched a reservation for the iPhone 5s and 5c via its subsidiary in Suzhou—a major city in Eastern China. This serves as one of the first concrete traces that Apple has in fact reached a deal with the world's largest carrier.

Rumors about the partnership have intensified in recent months, and in November, the state-run news outlet Xinhua reported that an official announcement would be made on December 18. The two sides have been negotiating an iPhone deal for more than 5 years...

WhatsApp iOS 7 update is out with new design, broadcast lists and more

Cody Lee ∙ December 2, 2013

The highly anticipated iOS 7 update for WhatsApp finally landed in the App Store this afternoon. The update brings the iOS client for the popular messaging service to version 2.11.5, and includes an all new design, new features and various improvements.

One of the big new features in 2.11.5 is called broadcasts lists, and it allows you to send messages to many people simultaneously. So say for instance you have a list of your classmates or work colleagues, you can message them all at once instead of individually...

Amazon takes on iPad, Jony Ive in new Kindle Fire HDX ad

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

They say the more successful you are, the bigger the target on your back gets. And that appears to be true with Apple and its iPad, as Amazon joins Microsoft and others in taking the popular tablet to task via TV spots.

In its latest commercial for the Kindle Fire HDX 8.9, the ecommerce giant compares its slate to the iPad Air. And if we're not mistaken, it sounds like the man with the smooth english accent is supposed to be Jony Ive...

iDB’s Cyber Monday Deals Roundup

Cody Lee ∙ Updated March 17, 2019

Folks who chose to skip all of the Black Friday mayhem this weekend will be happy to hear that a new wave of deals on apps, consumer electronics and other products are on the way. And there's no crowd-fighting or line-waiting required.

Tomorrow is known as Cyber Monday, a marketing term created for the Monday after Thanksgiving to promote online shopping. And once again, a number of retailers and manufacturers will be offering major discounts on their products.

And again, iDB has you covered, as we've collected all the best offers and put them in one, easy-to-read list. Presenting our Cyber Monday Deals Roundup...

Apple Stores coloring logos red in recognition of World AIDS Day

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

As it has in the past few years, Apple is recognizing December 1 as World AIDS Day. The company has posted a banner on its website's home page, and several of its retail stores have begun coloring their Apple logos red.

First observed in 1988, World AIDS Day is dedicated to raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of HIV—something Apple has shown an interest in with its long-term (Product) RED partnership...

Judge dismisses privacy lawsuit against Apple over location tracking

Cody Lee ∙ November 28, 2013

Reuters is reporting that US District Judge Lucy Koh has dismissed a privacy lawsuit against Apple this week. The suit alleged that the company was collecting location data through iOS devices, even when the geo-location feature was turned off.

Four plaintiffs joint-filed the suit—which is just one of several that followed Apple's 'Locationgate' scandal—in 2011, complaining that not only was Apple tracking users' location without consent, but they charged them too much for their iPhones...

Thai man allegedly electrocuted by charging iPhone

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 23, 2018

Another iPhone electrocution has been reported in Asia—this time in Thailand. A 28 year-old man was reportedly killed while using an iPhone 4s, which was believed to be charging using an unauthorized third-party charger.

According to a report from Thai language news outlet Daily News Thailand, on Monday, police in the Rayong province found an unnamed man lying dead on the floor of his home holding a burnt iPhone 4S in his left hand...

LifeProof launches new Touch ID-compatible, waterproof iPhone 5s case

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

Hot on the heels of Incipio's announcement of its new waterproof, Touch ID-friendly Atlas iPhone 5s case, LifeProof has unveiled a new 5s case of its own. It too is waterproof, and 100% compatible with Touch ID.

It's called the iPhone 5s nüüd Case, and LifeProof bills it as the "thinnest, lightest, all-protective iPhone 5s case ever made." It's fully submersible up to 6.6 feet, and is capable of surviving drops from up to 6.6 feet...

MacMall discounts iPads, Macs and more in Black Friday sale

Cody Lee ∙ Updated October 12, 2018

Continuing on with our Black Friday coverage this week, popular online retailer MacMall has kicked off its big holiday sales event today. The deals, which will be good through midnight on November 29, include significant discounts on Macs, iPads and more.

Among the discounted products is the all-new iPad Air. MacMall is offering various deals on Apple's latest tablet, starting at $41 off for the 16GB Wi-Fi model all the way up to $70 off the 128GB. And it's taking $102 off all MacBook Airs and 13" MacBook Pros...

iDB’s Black Friday Deals Roundup

Cody Lee ∙ Updated May 16, 2018

Black Friday is now just a few days away, meaning folks planning to do some bargain shopping this weekend don't have much longer to put their game plan together. The day is infamously hectic, for both retailers and consumers, thanks to limited-time and supply sales and unruly crowds of shoppers, so planning ahead is crucial.

But never fear, iDB has you covered this year with a complete guide on where to locate the best deals. We've sifted through as many Black Friday ads as we could get our hands on in order to find out which stores are going to be worth going to this weekend, so you don't have to. Presenting our first Black Friday Deals Roundup...