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.

Ever Wonder What it Takes to Jailbreak iOS? i0n1c’s Exploit Paper Reveals All

Cody Lee ∙ September 13, 2011

Stefan Esser, better known in the jailbreak community as i0n1c, was responsible for one of the most successful exploits in jailbreak history. While the iOS 4.3.1 jailbreak was certainly a collaborative effort, Esser's work was perhaps the most important.

No one likes to connect their iDevice to their computer every time they reboot, and i0n1c's untether meant they didn't have to. What made it so successful? The fact that the exploit continued to work through iOS 4.3.2 and 4.3.3 updates.

Have you ever wondered what goes into hacking the most secure mobile operating system? Esser tells all in this 97 page paper...

Apple Working on an iOS Scanner Application

Cody Lee ∙ September 13, 2011

Those folks over at 9to5Mac are at it again. After single handedly revealing the unannounced iOS 5 Nuance and Siri features, they have uncovered another secret project that Apple is working on.

Apparently, the Cupertino company is looking to release an application that would turn your iDevice into a digital scanner. Patent filings have suggested its interest in such an app, but 9to5Mac got the skinny from a source inside Apple...

GameStop is Now Buying Back Used Apple Devices

Cody Lee ∙ September 13, 2011

GameStop is a popular videogame retailer that has been in the business of buying and selling used gaming equipment. They deal in everything from used consoles, accessories, and of course video games.

But in the wake of declining console and game sales, the chain has decided to expand its business. The Wall Street Journal reports that GameStop is now buying back most models of iPhones, iPads, and even iPods, in exchange for cash or store credit...

New Survey Offers a Peek at Consumer Demand for the iPhone 5

Cody Lee ∙ September 13, 2011

You wouldn't know it by listening to HTC's Martin Fichter, but it seems that the demand for Apple's next smartphone is higher than ever before. According to a recent survey, the pre-launch hype for the iPhone 5 exceeds that of the iPhone 4.

Analyst Mike Abramsky announced the results of a recent RBC/ChangeWave survey this morning, which shines some light on the growing interest in Apple's upcoming smartphone. And unless you're Mr. Fichter, the results shouldn't surprise you...

Sprint Employee Claims iPhone 4 Launch in October, iPhone 5 Next Spring

Cody Lee ∙ September 13, 2011

Had enough of the iPhone 5 rumors? Well how about some iPhone 4 gossip? TUAW is reporting today that they have been informed by a Sprint Nextel sales associate that Sprint will start offering the iPhone 4 next month.

While low-level retail employees are never a reliable source for Apple-related news, the information does match up with several recent rumors claiming that the Cupertino company will be re-releasing the iPhone 4 this Fall...

FTC Takes Action Against Purported Acne-Curing Apps

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 3, 2018

It seems like there is an app for everything these days. There's mobile software that claims to cure headaches, keep mosquitos away, and even help you get a better night's sleep.

Apparently, the Federal Trade Commission is investigating these types of applications that make health claims without any scientific evidence to back them up. Its first target? Applications that allegedly cure acne...

HTC Executive Says Kids Don’t Want the iPhone “Because Dad Has One”

Cody Lee ∙ September 12, 2011

Why is it that people in the most visible positions in the tech industry sometimes say the dumbest things? First there was Nokia's U.S. president, Chris Weber, who claimed that Apple's focus on apps in iOS was "out-dated."

Now we have HTC America's acting president Martin Fichter telling an audience at this week's Mobile Future Forward event why college kids don't think iPhones are cool anymore. GeekWire relays Fichter's ridiculous comments...

iPhone 5 Will Likely Take Samsung Galaxy S II’s Fastest GPU Trophy

Cody Lee ∙ September 12, 2011

In the ever-changing world of Android handsets, there has been one device that has consistently stood out among the crowd — The Samsung Galaxy S II. The phone has been dominating European sales charts for several months, and has recently landed stateside.

Nearly 4 times as fast as the iPhone 4, the Galaxy S II's processor/GPU combo is the fastest in the industry according to Anandtech. But how will the speediest smartphone in the business stack up against Apple's yet-to-be-announced iPhone 5?

HTC Considering webOS Purchase to Compete Directly with Apple

Cody Lee ∙ September 12, 2011

You might not know it, but HTC (High Tech Computer) has been around for more than a decade. In its earlier years, the company produced smartphones sporting older versions of Windows Mobile OS.

With the rise of Android in 2009, HTC started to focus on the up-and-coming OS. The move has helped grow the company exponentially over the last few years. In 2010, it also joined in on the Windows Phone 7 party.

But the landscape has changed in the mobile OS industry over the last several months. Microsoft and Nokia have announced a strategic partnership, and then there was Google's Motorola purchase. So where does that leave HTC?

Epson Adds AirPrint Support, HP Takes the Feature to the Next Level

Cody Lee ∙ September 12, 2011

When Apple unveiled AirPrint last year, there were only 12 printers that supported the feature. Since then, manufacturers have been dragging their feet on supporting the wireless printing option.

Until now, HP has had the lion's share of the AirPrint-compatible printer market. But it seems like Epson is looking to get in on the action, as MacRumors reports that the Japanese company has several printers coming out this Fall that support the feature...

Icon in Photo Stream Beta Indicates Completely Redesigned iPhone 5

Cody Lee ∙ August 31, 2011

If you've been around the Apple community for a while, you're likely aware of the company's habit of seeding beta version of upcoming software to developers. They do this so app makers can test their software, and it's also a nice way to help iron out the kinks.

But lucky for us, it's also a way for us to get an inside look at Apple's future plans. We've been able to spot unannounced Nuance and Siri features from within the betas, and now we may have just gotten a glimpse of what the iPhone 5 will look like...

Not Again: Another iPhone Prototype Lost in a Bar

Cody Lee ∙ August 31, 2011

The infamous Gizmodo/iPhone 4 debacle grabbed all kinds of headlines last year. No one believed that a company as secretive as Apple could let an iPhone prototype device loose in the wild months before it was slated to be announced.

Believe it or not, it's happened again. CNET is reporting that they have learned that another unreleased iPhone has been lost in a — wait for it — bar in San Francisco...