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.

Siri Eyes Free makes its debut today in Chevy’s Spark and Sonic vehicles

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 10, 2018

Last summer, during its WWDC keynote, Apple announced that it was going to be taking its digital assistant act on the road. It introduced Siri 'Eyes Free,' a feature that allows qualified iPhone users to interact with Siri over Bluetooth using stock vehicle controls.

A total of 9 major automakers have pledged support for the hands-free system including Audi, BMW, Toyota, Honda, Land Rover, Mercedes-Benz, and Jaguar. And today, it makes its official debut in Chevrolet's youth-oriented Spark and Sonic vehicles...

Rdio app updated with new design and other improvements

Cody Lee ∙ Updated February 13, 2018

Rdio, one of the more popular streaming music subscription services on the market, released a solid update to their iOS app this afternoon, making it quicker and easier to browse and interact with your content.

Version 2.1 of the application features some gorgeous new design touches, and some other cool enhancements like a new long press-activated content menu, and music badges. The full change log is after the fold...

Australian authorities again warn of inaccuracies in Apple Maps

Cody Lee ∙ February 13, 2013

Last December, Police in Victoria, Australia issued a warning regarding Apple's new Maps app in iOS 6, after several travelers became lost and stranded in a National Park due to poor directions. The advisory added insult to injury after Apple had taken months of criticism over the service.

Well, they're back at it today. Officials in Victoria, Australia are again warning users of Maps' inaccuracies, claiming that problems with the software are making it difficult to determine where fires are located in the city's Country Fire Authority bushfire information app 'FireReady...'

Evad3rs to present at HITBSecConf2013 in Amsterdam

Cody Lee ∙ February 13, 2013

The evad3rs are probably one of the hottest tickets around right now on the mobile security circuit. The four hackers were able to overcome Apple's highly regarded security systems in iOS 6, to provide us with the evasi0n jailbreak.

Well good news for those of you that will be in Amsterdam between the dates of April 8 - 11. The team will be giving a presentation at the Hack in the Box Security Conference in the country, at the Okura Hotel. More details after the fold...

Bloomberg: Apple has 100 product designers working on wristwatch-like device

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

Over the weekend, we heard reports from two major news outlets—both The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal— that Apple is working on a smartwatch. It's said to feature a curved glass display and run a version of iOS.

Like clockwork, Bloomberg has chimed in with its own 'iWatch' report this afternoon. The site says that two sources inside the company have confirmed that Apple indeed has an enormous team working on a wristwatch-like device...

A&E Networks brings its top TV shows to the iPhone for free

Cody Lee ∙ February 12, 2013

Great news for all of you Duck Dynasty and Pawn Stars fans, you can now watch your favorite TV shows on your iPhone and iPod touch. A+E networks has updated 3 of its iOS apps today with full-length episodes and movies.

A&E, HISTORY and Lifetime apps all now each support the streaming of their top programming—including hit shows like Storage Wars and Pawn Stars —as well as iCloud sync, so you can always pick up where you left off....

Intel VP confirms it’s working on new set-top box and TV service

Cody Lee ∙ Updated October 12, 2018

If Apple is really planning on revolutionizing the TV business, it may want to hurry up and do so before Intel beats it to the punch. Confirming rumors from earlier this year, the company's Media VP Erik Huggers said today that it's working on a set-top box.

But that's not all. In addition to the new hardware, Huggers says that Intel is also working with 'the entire industry' to bring a new Internet TV service—an all-in-one solution that will incorporate live TV, catch-up TV and on-demand TV—to the market...

Apple makes more on iTunes and accessory sales than most companies do on phones

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 31, 2016

Well known and respected Asymco analyst Horace Dediu is out with a new report this week entitled 'Counting stool legs.' The piece takes a look at Apple's newly-introduced revenue categories—mainly iTunes, which now includes sales from OS X, iWork, and Apple's other pro tools.

The big takeaway here is that, under this new structure, iTunes can no longer be considered a 'break even' business. Because, as Dediu points out, the combined sales from iTunes and accessories is now bigger in terms of revenues than any other phone vendor, except for Samsung...

Ayecon updated with new dial pad, more icons and bug fixes

Cody Lee ∙ February 12, 2013

Since the evasi0n jailbreak was released last week, we've seen a wave of tweak and package updates as developers rush to fix remaining iOS 6 bugs and add new features. Today, our favorite theme joins in; ayecon 1.3 is now available in Cydia.

The update is fairly significant, as it includes a number of additions and improvements. There's a new dial pad (for iOS 6+ only) and new icons for apps like Google Maps and Netbot. We've got the full change log for ayecon 1.3 after the fold...

Joy of Tech weighs in on iWatch rumors

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 11, 2018

Talk of Apple working on a smartwatch has really heated up over the past week. Following a speculative piece from a former Apple engineer, both the NYT and the WSJ have reported that the company is indeed building such a product.

So what will this so-called iWatch do? Things like Siri, NFC and support for third-party apps have all been thrown about. But according to the folks over at Joy of Tech, the watch's built-in Dyson hand drier will be its killer feature...

Smarter Stand for iPhone keeps your device upright and earbuds tangle-free

Cody Lee ∙ February 12, 2013

What you see in the photo above is the new Smarter Stand for the iPhone and iPod touch. Created by Dotan Saguy, it's a dual-purpose accessory that acts as both a kickstand for your iOS device and a spool for your earbuds, so they don't get tangled.

It may not look like much, but don't underestimate Saguy's knack for turning simple ideas into hit products. He's already done it once with the Smarter Stand for iPad, raising over $150,000 via Kickstarter. And now he's looking to do it again...

Belkin and LEGO announce partnership, ‘buildable’ iPhone cases on the way

Cody Lee ∙ February 11, 2013

This is interesting, and also a bit surprising that it hasn't happened before now. Belkin, a popular third-party accessory maker for iPhones and other Apple products, has just announced a new partnership with the LEGO group.

According to the press release, the two companies have signed a multi-year licensing deal to bring a new line of cases to market, inspired by the iconic bricks—the highlight of which is said to be new 'buildable' cases...