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 adds new ‘Tips and Tricks’ section to iPhone pages

Apple has updated its website today, adding new 'Tips and Tricks' sections to its iPhone pages. The new sections offer iPhone users a handy guide to various features in iOS 7, and on late-model iPhones.

It looks like Apple has added a guide to its iPhone 4s, 5c and 5s marketing pages, showing users how to use apps like FaceTime, Maps, Siri, Find My iPhone, Music, Mail, Safari, AirPlay and Settings...

Apple engineer recounts events leading up to the original iPhone unveiling

Steve Jobs standing in front of slide at the January 2007 iPhone introduction showing the tagline "Apple reinvents the phone"

Fred Vogelstein has published an interesting article in The New York Times today entitled "And Then Steve Said, ‘Let There Be an iPhone.’" The lengthy piece offers up a detailed look at the events that lead up to the original iPhone unveiling.

More specifically, Vogelstein's profile paints a picture of what the atmosphere at Apple was like leading up to Steve Jobs' big keynote, with anecdotes from Andy Grignon, who was in charge of the original iPhone's radios, and other employees...

Apple officially appeals ruling in ebook pricing case

Apple has officially filed its appeal in the ebook price-fixing case, according to a new report from GigaOM. The Cupertino company hopes to overturn Judge Denise Cote's 'guilty' verdict handed down this summer.

On July 10, Judge Cote ruled that Apple conspired with 5 major book publishers to eliminate retail price competition in an effort to raise e-book prices. But the company, of course, flatly denies the allegations...

Security researchers detail new Touch ID and iOS 7 workarounds

Security Research Labs, a group of Berlin-based security researchers, have uncovered a bug in the new iPhone that it claims will enable hackers to overcome a safeguard allowing users to remotely wipe stolen or lost phones.

More specifically, the team has discovered a method for bypassing the handset's security features. It starts with activating Airplane mode, which gives potential criminals time to create fake fingerprints and reset passwords....

Amazon said to be launching Apple TV competitor before the holidays

Amazon is readying an Apple TV competitor, according to a report from The Wall Street Journal. The set-top box will offer access to the company's Instant Video and other streaming services.

Reportedly codenamed "Cinnamon," the device is said to be very similar in design and functionality to a Roku box. And Amazon is believed to be looking to launch it sometime before the holidays...

Best Buy offering $50 gift card with iPhone 5c purchase

Best Buy has begun offering Apple's newly-released iPhone 5c at a bit of a discount this weekend, trimming $50 off the handset's price tag—which starts at $99 with a two-year contract.

The offer features a $50 Best Buy gift card, which you will get at the time of purchase of any iPhone 5c. That goes for any carrier the retailer does business with, and any configuration...

Apple seeds OS X Mavericks Golden Master to developers

Folks anxious for Apple to release OS X Mavericks to the public will be happy to hear that the final beta version of the next generation OS was sent out to Mac developers this evening.

Apple labeled the release 'GM,' also known as Golden Master, which essentially means that this is the same build that users will see. It also usually means that a launch isn't too far behind...

Some users complaining of inaccurate iPhone 5s sensors

Heads up iPhone 5s owners: have you noticed that your Compass app readings are a little bit off? Don't worry, you're not alone. It seems a number of users are complaining of inaccurate sensors on Apple's latest handset.

More specifically, users have noticed that both their compass and inclinometers on their 5s devices are consistently off by a noticeable margin. The latter appears to be incorrect by 2 degrees, while the former is off by 8-10...

Apple releases iTunes 11.1.1 with bug fixes, stability improvements

Apple has released a Supplemental Update to OS X 10.8.5. The release fixes an issue with the FaceTime HD camera on late-model MacBook Airs, a bug that caused external drives to be ejected, and other problems.

Additionally, Apple has also seeded a new version of iTunes this afternoon, bringing the app to version 11.1.1. The update doesn't offer up any new features, but it does bring about bug fixes and stability improvements...

Apple acquires personal assistant app Cue

Apple has apparently acquired another personal assistant company. It's called Cue, and it's the startup firm behind the personal assistant app for iPhone, of the same name, which shut down earlier this week.

The company, formerly known as Greplin, was a Y Combinator  alumnus, announced to its users on Tuesday that the service would be shutting down, and that premium users would receive a prorated refund...

Official Google Music app expected to launch on iOS later this month

It's been more than two years since Google unveiled its Music service, and the company has yet to launch an official iOS client. Sure, there's been plenty of third-party apps, and a web app, but nothing native directly from Google.

But according to a new report from Engadget, that could change very soon. Citing sources familiar with the company's plans, the outlet claims that Google is testing a Music app internally, and plans to launch it later this month...