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.

Tweetbot for iOS and Mac updated to comply with Twitter’s API changes

As many of you may know, Twitter announced a lengthy list of changes to its API used by third party clients last fall. The deadline for developers to meet the new requirements is March 5th, and apps that don't comply will cease functioning.

As such, the Tapbots team has updated both its iOS and Mac Tweetbot apps today to adhere to the new API changes. Most of the them are under the hood, but you will notice some UI differences. We've got the full change logs after the fold...

Piper Jaffray: Apple to debut low-cost iPhone in September quarter

There are currently 3 or 4 strong rumors floating around the Apple-centric blogosphere these days: the iTV, the more recently popular iWatch, and then the recurring low-cost or 'budget' iPhone. What's funny is, some of these rumors have been around for years.

But if you ask The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, or anyone at Piper Jaffray, the budget iPhone will finally materialize this year. Reiterating its report from January, the firm sent out a note to investors claiming that a low-cost iPhone is on the way...

As iPad mini supply evens out, AU Optronics begins work on next-gen display

Yesterday we noticed that iPad mini supply has finally caught up with demand. For the first time since the tablet launched last November, all models are showing 'in stock' in Apple's online store, in several countries.

The improved stock is said to be due to AU Optronics solidifying higher yields of iPad mini panels. And not only has it figured out how to make the current-gen panels faster, but it's begun work on next-gen displays...

Barclays says Samsung momentum ‘begs an answer from Apple’

It's no secret that Apple has fallen out of the good graces of most Wall Street analysts. And with its stock price still bouncing around $250 below its last-September high, and no new products on the horizon, it doesn't look like that's going to change anytime soon.

I wouldn't say Apple's in trouble though. It's coming off a record high quarter in iPhone sales, revenue and other metrics, and has more than $130 billion in cash. But the folks over at the prestigious Barclays firm say that it's about time for Tim Cook to panic...

Evad3rs release evasi0n 1.4 with support for iOS 6.1.2

Earlier today, Apple released iOS 6.1.2, its second mobile OS release in as many weeks. The update includes two high priority bug fixes: one for the Exchange calendar issue that's been hurting performance, and one for the passcode glitch.

But luckily, 6.1.2 doesn't fix the exploits used in evasi0n. Earlier today, planetbeing told us it'd only be a matter of time before the jailbreak utility was updated to support the new firmware. And well my friends, that time has come...

iOS 6.1.2 is still jailbreakable, evasi0n 1.4 to come later today

Earlier this morning, Apple released iOS 6.1.2 to the public. The update contains a fix for the infamous Exchange calendar bug, as well as the passcode glitch that surfaced last week. But what really mattered to us is if it fixes the exploits used in the evasi0n jailbreak.

Well good news. According to evad3rs team-member planetbeing, the new firmware appears to still be jailbreakable. The hacker announced on Twitter a few moments ago that though he hasn't had a chance to try it on all devices yet, iOS 6.1.2 is looking good...

Apple releases iOS 6.1.2 to address Exchange calendar bug

In line with previous reports, Apple has released iOS 6.1.2 this morning to fix the Exchange calendar issue that has garnered so much attention in the past few weeks. The bug significantly increases network usage, which affects device performance and battery life.

As you can see in the screenshot above of the firmware's release notes, the patch for the Exchange problem appears to be the only change in the new software. But still, we recommend that jailbreakers refrain from updating until it's been deemed safe by the community...

iPad mini now showing ‘in stock’ online in several countries

Apple has had a hard time catching up with consumer demand for its iPad mini. Since the tablet debuted four months ago, supply has been extremely constrained, with shipping times only recently dropping below a week.

But today, it appears that supply and demand is finally starting to even out for the popular slate, as the mini now shows an availability status of 'in stock' in Apple web stores in several countries around the world...

IMDb app updated with Amazon Instant Video links and new Oscar section

Amazon-owned IMDb issued a nice little update for its iOS app last night. The update, which brings the app to version 3.1, adds a handful of new features, including a new Oscar section—just in time for the Award show this Sunday.

Also on the list of additions are new direct links for titles that can be viewed on Amazon's Instant Video service (if the app is installed), a new 'Recommendations' facet that will offer up suggested movie/TV show content, and more...

This toy iPhone appears to be jailbroken

We're not sure if this is cool, or copyright infringement, but either way here you go. We've come across what appears to be a toy iPhone, that has seemingly been jailbroken. Notice the Cydia icon in the bottom row of icons?

Of course, it's not called an iPhone. The packaging reads 'Telephone Intelligent.' And instead of Cydia, the iconic brown icon is labeled 'Gift.' But either way, it sure looks like someone is selling toy jailbroken iPhones...

This SIM card-friendly iPhone case is perfect for travelers

Do you travel abroad often? Maybe it's for business, or pleasure, or both. And if so, do you use the same unlocked iPhone everywhere you go? If you answered yes, to either question, you might want to check out the SIMPLcase.

The SIMPLcase is an ultra-slim iPhone 5 case—3mm in the center, 1mm at the edges—with a couple of cool features. In addition to protecting your phone, it can also store extra SIM cards, has a SIM tray eject tool, and more...

Apple spent less than $2M on D.C. lobbying last year, Google spent $18M

Among the many moves monitored by tech company watchers is who is spending what money, where. Whether it be on R&D, acquisitions, or patent litigation, knowing where a company spends its cash is important to understanding its business.

A new report, for example, takes a look at how much each of the big tech firms spent on D.C. lobbying in 2012 (trying to influence politicians and their legislation to work in their favor). And surprise, surprise, Google spent more than everyone else...