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.

Motorola and Apple reach patent licensing agreement in Germany

Cody Lee ∙ August 28, 2012

In addition to its worldwide patent battle with Samsung, Apple has also locked horns with Motorola in courtrooms around the globe. It's a familiar scenario: Apple has accused Motorola of stealing its innovations, and Motorola has used its large collection of wireless patents to fight back.

Motorola has actually won a handful of notable victories in the battle, mostly in Germany, successfully winning bans on products and knocking iCloud email push offline. But it looks like the two sides have called a ceasefire, as they've just reached a major patent license agreement...

New report rules out NFC for next-gen iPhone

Cody Lee ∙ August 28, 2012

Bad news today for folks who were hoping that near field communications technology, or NFC, would make it into the new iPhone. It looks like the tech is a no-go for Apple's next smartphone.

Theories for the tech picked up steam yesterday when a square chip inside a leaked iPhone 5 part was identified as an NFC sensor. But according to a new report, it's not happening this year...

Apple rolls out streaming iTunes Festival app to Apple TV

Cody Lee ∙ Updated March 19, 2019

Apple kicks off its annual iTunes Festival in London next month, which will include 30 days worth of free concerts. Several notable stars are expected to perform at the event, including Usher, OneRepublic and David Guetta.

And here's how you can watch the whole thing for free...

Let the FAA know you want to use your iPad during takeoff

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 25, 2016

Earlier this year, we heard reports that the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) was looking to relax its policies regarding the use of electronic devices on airplanes.

At the time, the Administration had started allowing pilots to use their iPads in the cockpit. And now it looks like it's ready to start making changes for the passengers as well...

T-Mobile to start offering 4G micro SIM kits for unlocked iPhones

Cody Lee ∙ August 27, 2012

Last week, T-Mobile announced that it was going to begin offering truly unlimited data plans on September 5th. It says the plans will work in conjunction with 4G data speeds, and promises that users will never be throttled.

Well, good news today for current or potential iPhone customers on the network. According to a new report, the carrier is about to start offering 4G micro SIM kits, compatible with its unlimited plans, for unlocked iPhone users...

These are the 8 Samsung devices Apple wants to ban in the US

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 10, 2018

Last week, a jury found several of Samsung's devices to be guilty of infringement on Apple's patents. The damages awarded thus far total around $1 billion dollars, but Apple is seeking much more than that.

The Cupertino company has filed a notice with the court today identifying which of Samsung's infringing products that it would like banned from US sales, including several Galaxy S and SII models...

AT&T denies rumors of employee vacation blackout

Cody Lee ∙ August 27, 2012

Over the weekend, it was reported that AT&T employees were seeing a blackout on vacation dates in late September, likely due to the new iPhone launch. Apple is widely expected to roll out the handset on September 21.

The information seemed spot-on, considering the timeframe matched up with both Verizon blackout dates and previous reports. But it looks like, for whatever reason, AT&T is denying the employee blackout rumors...

Claimed iPhone 5 parts reveal possible NFC chip

Cody Lee ∙ August 27, 2012

Surprise, surprise, another purported iPhone 5 component was leaked over the weekend. Late last night, an assembled front panel with Home button and FaceTime camera surfaced on the web.

But unlike the claimed parts we've been seeing as of late, this one might actually give us some worth-while insight. It houses an unknown square sensor, which some folks believe to be an NFC chip...

Samsung posts memo to employees, vows to keep fighting Apple

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 10, 2018

And the fallout from last week's Apple vs. Samsung verdict continues. Apple's stock opened this morning at an all-time high of $680 per share, with a market cap of $637 billion, and Samsung is down more than 7%.

But the Korean smartphone-maker says it isn't worried. After releasing a public statement over the weekend, Samsung posted a memo to its employees online vowing to continue to fight Apple's charges...

Google comments on last week’s Apple vs. Samsung ruling

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 10, 2018

Just in case you missed out on the excitement last week, the high-profile Apple vs. Samsung trial ended with a bang. After 21 hours of deliberation, the jury ruled in Apple's favor, awarding the company some $1 billion in damages.

Since then, we've heard official statements from both companies. Apple, of course, is thrilled with the outcome, while Samsung says it's a loss for the American consumer. And over the weekend, Google finally commented on the verdict...

AT&T vacation blackout further confirms September iPhone launch

Cody Lee ∙ August 26, 2012

Apple has yet to make any kind of official announcement regarding when the next iPhone will be unveiled and become available, but we're almost positive we know the dates. Apple is expected to debut the handset on September 12, and launch it in stores on September 21.

There's already a mountain of evidence in favor of this timeline, such as reports from multiple credible sources and news outlets, and blacked out vacation dates for Verizon employees. But in case you needed any more proof, AT&T employees have just thrown their hats into the ring...

Infographic: iPhone 5 rumor roundup

Cody Lee ∙ August 26, 2012

Apple's iPhone event is now less than three weeks away, and the rumor mill is in full swing. It seems like every day we hear new rumors regarding what the handset will look like and do.

And while the constant speculation can be exasperating, it does help paint a picture of what we can expect. Keep reading to see what the tech world thinks we'll see in the new iPhone...