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.

Google criticized over password security in its Chrome browser

Cody Lee ∙ August 8, 2013

Google has come under fire this week for the way that its Chrome browser handles password storage. The criticism comes in light of some new findings posted by software developer Elliott Kember, who says he's discovered a flaw in the way Chrome handles passwords.

Apparently, in the browser's settings panel there's a section that lists all of the websites in which a user has a stored password for, and their corresponding passwords. The data is hidden initially, but the passwords can be exposed with a simple click of the mouse...

Comcast testing new cloud DVR app for iOS devices

Cody Lee ∙ Updated March 19, 2019

Back in June, Comcast announced its new X2 set-top box—a DVR that uses cloud storage instead of a traditional hard drive. It isn't expected to launch until later this year, but the cable provider has just been caught testing a new iOS application that allows subscribers to access their saved programming from the cloud-based recorder.

The folks over at FierceCable spotted the app in iTunes this morning. It's called Comcast Labs DVR, and it's published by Comcast Interactive Media. The software promises a revolutionary new DVR that streams live TV and shares your recordings to tablets, phones, and all of your television sets—as long as you're behind a Comcast modem...

Apple wins appeal on dismissed ITC case against Motorola

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

Good news for the Cupertino legal team this week. The US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has finally handed down its opinion on the company's appeal of the ITC's dismissal of its patent complaint against Motorola Mobility, and it's sided with Apple .

The ruling overturns a decision by the US International Trade Commission from March of last year, when the six-member panel exonerated Motorola from claims of infringement on certain Apple patents, thus allowing the company to pursue its complaint...

T-Mobile posted its strongest customer growth in four years during Q2

Cody Lee ∙ Updated March 18, 2016

T-Mobile US announced its financials for its second quarter last night, and the results are very impressive. Chock it up to finally landing the iPhone, the new 'Un-carrier' strategy—whatever it's doing, it's working. The carrier posted its strongest customer growth in 4 years.

In fact, believe it or not, T-Mobile led the US wireless industry in the second quarter, adding 685,000 branded postpaid phones and 1.1 million customers altogether. It also sold 4.3 million smartphones during the 3-month period, a year-over-year increase of 71 percent...

Publishers file objection to DoJ’s e-book settlement proposal on Apple’s behalf

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

The Wall Street Journal is reporting this evening that the five book publishers who settled with the US government in the e-book antitrust case have filed an objection with the court on Apple's behalf.

In the filing, the companies argue that the Department of Justice's settlement proposal for Apple, which it submitted last week, would violate their settlement agreements they had before the trial began...

Poll finds most users actually prefer the look of iOS 7 over iOS 6

Cody Lee ∙ Updated November 29, 2016

The responses to the radical user-facing changes Apple has made in iOS 7 have been a mixed bag thus far. While some users welcome the new designs and like the way the software looks, others dislike the update so much they say it could kickstart Apple's downfall.

But it looks like the voices in the latter camp are just the loudest, and don't necessarily represent the majority. Because according to this online poll conducted by Input Factory's Polar platform, most folks actually prefer the overall UI design of iOS 7 to that of iOS 6...

Despite slumping Surface sales, Microsoft continues to attack iPad in new ad

Cody Lee ∙ Updated June 13, 2016

You would think that with an ongoing Surface sales slump that even multiple fire sales can't fix, Microsoft would try to switch up its tactics. But nope. As it's done several times this summer, the Redmond company posted a new tablet ad today attacking the iPad.

The new spot is called 'Surface RT vs. iPad.' And like Microsoft's previous commercials, it pits the Surface against Apple's popular tablet, highlighting their differences. This time around, the iPad is knocked for having a smaller screen, lacking a kickstand and more...

Instagram update brings video importing, automatic straightening, and more

Cody Lee ∙ Updated December 4, 2013

Instagram just announced its first major app update since it introduced its new video capture and posting feature last month. Today's update brings the client to version 4.1, and it includes a handful of some highly requested enhancements.

Easily the biggest change in today's update is the ability to import videos from your Camera Roll (though jailbreakers have been able to do this for a while now). This means you can now upload clips shot outside of the app to Instagram's network...

Apple acknowledges that the iTunes Store is down for some users [updated]

Cody Lee ∙ Updated August 24, 2016

If you're having trouble downloading music, or otherwise accessing the iTunes Store, you're not alone. A number of users have taken to Twitter to report that the digital content front is down, and Apple itself has now acknowledged the problem.

As of about 11:30 am this morning, Apple's system status page shows that the iTunes Store is down, with the issue affecting 'some users.' A detailed timeline on the page shows the outage has lasted over an hour and is affecting iTunes purchases...

Apple files for patent on fused glass enclosures for use on TV sets and more

Cody Lee ∙ Updated March 18, 2016

Apple filed for an interesting new patent last week on methods for fusing glass pieces together to create various types of glass enclosures. The filing was published by the European Patent Office yesterday, which credits Jony Ive as one of its inventors.

More specifically, the patent application illustrates how the double-sided glass construction design of the iPhone 4/4S could be extended to the iPod, iPad, and various displays. Apple even points to a TV set being encased in glass using its fused process...

Apple Stores offering discounts on select accessories this month

Cody Lee ∙ August 7, 2013

Apple Retail Stores are offering discounts on select in-store third-party accessories this month, according to a new report. The promotion began August 1st and runs through August 31, and it includes a handful of high-end audio products.

Among the discounted accessories are select Beats by Dre headphones and speakers, which are 10% off, and Jawbone's Big JAMBOX Bluetooth speaker, which is $50 off. And a new deal on Bose QuietComfort headphones starts next week...

Apple seeds iOS 7 beta 5 to developers: this is what’s new

Cody Lee ∙ August 6, 2013

Apple has seeded iOS 7 beta 5 to developers this morning. The update comes just one week after the release of beta 4, as it appears that the company is trying to get back on track after the lengthy Developer Center outage.

Beta 5 is available now to all registered Apple developers via the Dev Center and OTA, which can be installed by visiting the Software Update section in the Settings app of proper devices that currently have iOS 7 installed...