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.

WSJ: Apple signs iOS device chip deal with TSMC, decreasing dependence on Samsung

Cody Lee ∙ June 28, 2013

Following up a scoop from DigiTimes earlier this week, The Wall Street Journal is reporting this afternoon that Apple has finally inked a deal with TSMC, or Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., to produce chips used in the company's iPhone and iPad products.

The two sides reportedly signed the deal, which has been in the making for a few years now, earlier this month after TSMC met Apple's requirements for speed and power usage. And it signifies yet another move by the Cupertino firm to distance itself from Samsung...

Flipboard updated with support for Instagram video

Cody Lee ∙ June 28, 2013

Flipboard users will be happy to hear that the app has just been updated with support for Instagram's new video feature. Facebook's popular video sharing service can now capture and post video clips up to 15-seconds in length.

And with the latest Flipboard update, which brings the app to version 2.0.4, you can now open and view these videos within the application. The update also includes new ways to share magazines, and the usual array of bug fixes...

Here’s how to get 30% off JailbreakCon tickets

Cody Lee ∙ June 28, 2013

We're now just a little less than 2 months away from this year's JailbreakCon—an annual convention for hackers, developers, designers and jailbreakers. The event will be held at the Raddison Hotel in New Rochelle, New York on August 23 and 24.

Folks who are hoping to attend WWJC, but haven't gotten their tickets yet, will be happy to hear that iDB has been given a special deal to pass on to our readers. For a limited time, folks using our coupon code can get a 30% discount off admission...

New assistant app ‘Donna’ promises you’ll never be late again

Cody Lee ∙ Updated February 14, 2018

Watch out Siri, there's a new digital assistant on iOS and she is causing quite a bit of commotion. Her name is Donna, and she is billed as a virtual secretary that helps you manage your day with smart notifications, an anticipatory calendar, and in-app directions.

The app is the product of the San Francisco-based Incredible Labs, who is backed by a laundry list of high-profile investors including Ashton Kutcher. And the developers say they named it after Donna Moss, the popular assistant from the TV show 'The West Wing.'

Vine shares on Twitter have plummeted since Instagram video debut

Cody Lee ∙ Updated May 20, 2016

When Instagram debuted its new video feature last week, one of the more popular hashtags on the social network was 'R.I.P Vine.' Many felt that the photo sharing giant's—which boasts over 100 million users—entrance into the video space meant the end of Vine's short-lived success.

Well according to a new report, the numbers are actually trending towards that sentiment. Using Topsy's free analytical tool, the folks over at Marketing Land say that Vine sharing sharply dropped last week after Instagram's announcement, and it continues to plunge...

GV Mobile + updated with Google Voice VoIP calling and new interface

Cody Lee ∙ Updated October 12, 2018

Good news Google Voice users. One of the more popular clients for the service, GV Mobile +, has just received a significant update with several new features and improvements, including an all new interface and support for making free VoIP calls.

The GV client has been completely rebuilt from the ground up, bringing the app to version 3.0, with a new UI that appears to be designed to fit in with the new iOS 7 aesthetic, and the ability to make free phone calls that won't use your minutes...

WSJ: Google working on Android game console, smartwatch and more

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 23, 2018

This is kind of interesting. Hot on the heels of reports that iOS 7 contains proper third-party support for physical game controllers comes word that Google is hard at work building a full-fledged gaming console and smartwatch based on its Android operating system.

The story comes from The Wall Street Journal, who reported last night that the Mountain View-based company is looking to expand its mobile platform beyond smartphones and tablets, and is hoping to combat similar devices that Apple may release in the future...

New iPhone-compatible smartwatch features voice and gesture controls

Cody Lee ∙ Updated June 13, 2016

The list of iPhone-compatible smartwatches seems to grow longer by the week. And it's not just Kickstarters anymore—Apple, Google, Samsung and LG are just a few of the tech giants rumored to be building wearable devices. Heck, even Foxconn is getting into the space.

But as the old saying goes, "the more the merrier," so we thought we'd add another one to the list this afternoon. It's called the Kreyos, and its creators say that it's the only smartwatch on the market right now that features both voice and gesture controls. Here, take a look...

Tweetbot updated with support for Instagram video

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 22, 2018

Facebook caused quite a commotion last week when they unveiled a new Instagram feature that allows you to capture and post 15-second videos. It was an instant hit, prompting users to upload more than 5 million clips in just 24 hours.

My Twitter stream has since been flooded with Instagram videos, posted by everyone from celebrities to tech pundits. And unfortunately, because I use Tweetbot, I haven't been able to watch them in-app. But that changed this afternoon...

Radio Shack to start offering Virgin Mobile iPhone 5 tomorrow

Cody Lee ∙ June 27, 2013

We've been hearing for a while now that the iPhone 5, Apple's flagship handset, was on its way to popular Prepaid carrier Virgin Mobile. Last week a report claimed that the device would launch this Friday, and today comes further confirmation of that.

9to5Mac is reporting that it has learned from a reliable source that retail giant Radio Shack will begin offering Virgin Mobile-flavored iPhone 5 models tomorrow. They'll come in both black and white, and start at $499 with the trade-in of a compatible device...

Twitter updates #music app with new discovery charts and options

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 22, 2018

Twitter has been relatively quiet about its #music app since it launched back in April. But now that Apple is getting into the music discovery business, and companies like Rdio are following suit, it felt it had to step up its game.

And it starts today, with an update to its iOS #music app that adds new dimensions to its popular discovery engine. You can now browse for new music via genre, like hip hop or country, and there are new 'top charts' to explore...

Digg app updated with support for new Google Reader replacement

Cody Lee ∙ June 27, 2013

Shortly after Google announced that it would be shutting down Google Reader, social news site Digg announced that it would be building a replacement RSS aggregator that would utilize the best of Reader's features and sync with existing 3rd party clients.

Then, earlier this month, the Digg team announced that it was finishing up work on the first version of its Reader replacement, and that it would start rolling out to users on June 26. And last night, it made good on its promise via an update to its iOS app...