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 looking to beef up Maps team with ‘Ground Truth’ managers

Cody Lee ∙ Updated August 26, 2017

When Apple released iOS 6 last year, it replaced the long-running Google Maps app with its own in-house mapping software. And, as most of you know, it took a lot of criticism over the move due to its inaccurate map data, missing features and other issues.

It was so bad, in fact, that Tim Cook wrote an open letter to iOS users, promising Apple would work non-stop to make it better. And it has been. It's already made several improvements to the app, and is in the middle of a big hiring push for its Maps team...

Sentry’s new App Switching concept makes it easier to move between apps

Cody Lee ∙ March 27, 2013

We're always in search of ways that iOS can be improved, which is why you'll see a number of iOS concepts and ideas on iDB that are aimed at making Apple's mobile operating system better. Take this recent one on multitasking, for example. It's beautiful.

But not all concepts attempt to make iOS better-looking—some try to make it more functional. And that's the idea behind today's concept. It takes the current app switcher, and makes it more efficient by allowing faster access to more of your suspended apps...

Belkin launches new Ultimate Keyboard Case for iPad

Cody Lee ∙ March 27, 2013

Belkin today announced the online availability of its newest iPad accessory, the Ultimate Keyboard Case. Well, it's available for pre-order today, and will start shipping to select retailers in May.

So what's so special about the Ultimate Keyboard Case? With a keyboard that is just 6.4mm thin and weighing 17 oz, it's now the slimmest and lightest keyboard folio of its kind on the market...

Music HUD offers current track album art and more at a glance

Cody Lee ∙ March 27, 2013

Those looking to spice up the volume HUD that pops up when you turn your iOS device's sound up or down might be interested in a recently released jailbreak tweak called Music HUD.

The tweak, which landed in Cydia last week, has the ability to display useful information for the iPod app's currently playing track in the HUD box like album art, artist name and more...

Gmail app updated with easier multi-message editing and navigation

Cody Lee ∙ March 27, 2013

Great news today for Gmail users. Google has updated its email client for iOS this morning, bringing the app to version 2.1. The update includes some nice UX improvements, including easier message navigation.

Users with the new app will now be able to swipe either left or right to move between messages, without having to return to their inbox. It also features easier multi-message editing, a handful of bug fixes and more...

Flipboard 2.0 is out with custom magazines, notifications and more

Cody Lee ∙ March 26, 2013

Flipboard released a rather significant update for its iOS app tonight, bringing the social news aggregator to version 2.0. The update includes a few major new features, including custom magazines and user notifications, and other improvements.

Perhaps the biggest addition to the app is the ability to create your own custom magazines. Users can now collect and save content into their own magazines, sort of like Pinterest, allowing users to essentially bookmark their favorite stuff...

Supply chain chatter claims Apple is building 4K ‘Ultra HD’ TV set

Cody Lee ∙ Updated May 16, 2018

It's been a while since we've heard any new information regarding Apple's rumored TV project. It seems 'iTV' speculation has been replaced by talk of Apple's secret plans for the smartwatch space, and its expected entry into the budget handset market.

But that changed this evening with a new report out of China, claiming that Apple has been in discussions with Foxconn over the production schedule of a TV set. And the 4K 'Ultra HD' television will finally land in either late 2013, or early next year...

Wake up to the date, temperature and more with Wake Info

Cody Lee ∙ March 26, 2013

What's the first thing you do when you hear your alarm clock go off in the morning? If you're like me, then after hitting the snooze button a couple of times, you look at your phone to see what time it is and if you missed any messages overnight.

But wouldn't it be nice if you could get this kind of information without having to look at your phone? That way you could skip that part of your morning routine and go right to stretching, or whatever else you do. Well you can, with Wake Info...

Quickly enable the Passcode on your device with TapTapPass

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 11, 2018

By default, it takes you at least 6 steps to enable your device's Passcode from your Home screen. You have to launch the Settings app, navigate through a couple of screens to the Passcode Lock window, and set it up.

While this process is just fine for folks who keep their iOS devices Passcode-protected at all times, it's fairly tedious for those that only enable the security feature every once in a while. Luckily, there's TapTapPass...

Chevrolet highlights Siri Eyes Free feature in new TV ad

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 11, 2018

Last month, we told you that Chevy started offering Siri Eyes Free in its 2013 Sonic and Spark models, officially making it the first automaker, out of the 9+ that will support it, to incorporate the feature into a production vehicle.

Today, the car company posted a new TV ad for its 2013 Sonic sedan showcasing the new Siri integration, which gives compatible users hands-free access to the digital assistant from a built-in button on the car's steering wheel...

Apple’s new US iPhone promotion offers free next day shipping on all models

Cody Lee ∙ March 25, 2013

Since Samsung unveiled its Galaxy S4 handset earlier this month, Apple has been on an iPhone marketing blitz. In addition to its two new iPhone ads, it's also posted a 'Why iPhone' page on its website and launched an email campaign.

And today, it continues the push with a new iPhone promotion for US customers. Effective immediately, the company is offering free next day shipping on all of its iPhone models ordered through its online webstore, regardless of price...

Yahoo to buy mobile news start-up Summly for $30 million

Cody Lee ∙ March 25, 2013

Yahoo! announced today that it will be acquiring mobile news start-up Summly. The deal, said to be worth around $30 million, is for both the app and the team, and is expected to close sometime in the next few months.

For those unfamiliar with the company, Summly created and maintains the popular news-summarizing iPhone app of the same name. It uses special algorithms to deliver 'snapshots' of stories that match a users' interests...