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.

More Analyst Claim Apple-Branded TV Set Coming

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 30, 2016

If you recall, we reported on a rumor last month that Apple was looking to turn their TV product into something more than just a hobby. Well it looks like the gossip mill is turning again as more analyst chime in on a possible TV set from the Cupertino company.

9to5Mac is reporting today that Gene Muster, of Piper Jaffray, has predicted we will indeed see a new Apple-branded television set by 2012 accompanied by a host of unique features.

Obviously Apple TV services would be built in, but he predicts it will also have DVR capibilities, live programming and television channels via iTunes, and 1080p gaming via the App Store.

The prophecies don't stop there. Analyst Peter Misek believes a Netflix-like $10 a month subscription could be in the works for future iTunes programming. He also believes that networks removing channels from iPad apps could be a clue that they are "negotiating some sort of deal with Apple."

A subscription service could be likely, considering all of the data storage Apple has acquired in the past year. They just ordered 12 Petabytes (12 million gigabytes) of storage from Isilon Systems, and let's not forget about that large data center they've been building in North Carolina.

While an Apple-branded TV doesn't seem feasible, they've certainly managed to surprise me before. I just don't see them taking a big risk with such an expensive product. Hopefully we'll get some more details at this year's WWDC.

You think we'll see an Apple TV set anytime soon?

iOS Virus Lurking Behind Shady Jailbreak and Unlock Ads?

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 24, 2016

Those of us who enjoy Apple products also enjoy a sense of security. In the 4 years I've been carrying an iPhone, I've yet to have to worry about security on my phone, other than maybe a passcode. Apple's tight grip on iOS and 3rd party developers has actually done well to keep security threats at bay.

I'm not saying those days are over, but there is an interesting story floating around the internet that surfaced sometime over the weekend. I brushed it off at first, but when a Google search returned over 100 results, I started reading. Smooth Blog, among many others, is reporting that a virus has been infecting iPhone users around the globe...

Want Glasses-Free 3D on Your iPad 2?

Cody Lee ∙ April 11, 2011

We've shown you some pretty sweet iPad 2 hacks recently, but this one takes the cake. A couple of guys from the EHCI Research Group have managed to create basic 3D graphics on the iPad 2, using the front facing camera. Confused yet?

The technology is called head tracking, and has become fairly common verbiage among tech websites. Essentially your head movements can be captured and turned into commands for applications or controls for games.

These guys obviously didn't get the memo. They have decided to use head tracking to present 3D graphics on Apple's latest tablet. Their software uses the front facing camera to judge your position in relation to the iPad, and then it manipulates the graphics accordingly.

We track the head of the user with the front facing camera in order to create a glasses-free monocular 3D display. Such spatially-aware mobile display enables to improve the possibilities of interaction. It does not use the accelerometers and relies only on the front camera.

Still not impressed? You've got to check out the video below. Although many critics have brushed 3D technology off like a passing trend, companies like Nintendo are starting to take it seriously. But do we really need it in the iPad? If nothing else, this has to be one of the coolest non-jailbreak hacks I've seen.

It's currently just a tech demo, and has yet to be decided if/how it would be implemented in user software.

Would you want 3D graphics for your iPad 2?

[macstories]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBQQEcfkHoE

Will We See Carbon Fiber on Future iDevices?

Cody Lee ∙ April 11, 2011

Apple made some big splashes with their all aluminum MacBook designs a couple of years ago. The original iPhone was even covered in the popular metal. It appears that aluminum is so 2007, as reports are circulating this morning that Apple is looking to go carbon fiber.

It's certainly not anything new, Apple has been rumored to be experimenting with carbon-fiber enclosures for quite some time. Back in 2010, Apple won a patent on improved composite materials that hinted that they were researching the use of carbon-fiber composites in electronic devices. Could we see the light weight material in future Apple products?

iOS 4.3.2 Update Should Fix Verizon iPad 2 3G Problems

Cody Lee ∙ April 11, 2011

We reported a few days ago on a developing story about the Verizon iPad 2. It seemed as though some iPad models, with the Verizon 3G service built in, have been having issues connecting to Verizon's network.

If you are one of the ones suffering from the problematic tablet, perk up. Popular tech site BGR has gotten their hands on the latest version of iOS, and has some great news for Verizon iPad users.

One of our Apple sources has just let us know that Apple's iOS 4.3.2, due within the next week or so, will fix the issues we've been hearing about with some Verizon iPad 2 models.

The site goes on to say that the new update should also fix a couple of FaceTime and WebKit vulnerabilities. But the good news is, it sounds like a fix is on the way for all of the folks struggling with 3G connectivity woes.

What I'm wondering is if an iPad 2 jailbreak is on the way, will Comex and participating parties wait until after 4.3.2 goes live before releasing anything?

If you remember Comex had previously found an exploit for the iPad 2, but the glitch was patched by Apple in the iOS 4.3.1 update. We will let you know as soon as we have more information.

Hopefully this doesn't delay the iPad 2 jailbreak anymore than it already is, what do you think?

MobType – An Interesting Take on the iPhone Keyboard

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 24, 2016

Yesterday we ran a story about the state of Apple's current text input technology in iOS. While their keyboard is extremely popular, consumers lack any alternative method of text input. Though there currently doesn't appear to be any App Store solution at the moment (pending ShapeWriter return), jailbreakers do have an alternative.

That's why we jailbreak our iDevices, right? To have other options besides what Apple deems appropriate for their hardware? Anyways if you're sporting a hacked iPhone or iPod touch and have been looking for something different than the typical boring keyboard, you might want to check out MobType...

How to Access Your Apple TV’s File System With CyberDuck

Cody Lee ∙ Updated September 17, 2017

Yesterday we showed you folks how to SSH into your jailbroken Apple TV2 through your desktop OS' command line prompt. Today we are going to show you how to create a connection with your hacked Apple TV2 in a much more user friendly way.

All you need is CyberDuck for Mac or Windows, and your Apple TV's IP Address. Of course you'll also need a jailbroken Apple TV2, and both it and your computer must be on the same Wi-Fi network. For those new to the game, you can find your IP in your Apple TV2's main menu, Settings > General > Network > IP Address.

Once CyberDuck is done downloading, fire it up. Your going to want to choose to create a new connection.

From the drop down menu, select SFTP. In the Server field type your IP Address that we had you get earlier.

In the Username section type root and for the password, type alpine.

Then just click Connect.

You should now be looking at your Apple TV's root directory. Besides the ability to view your ATV2's folder sub system, you also have write privileges. This is one way to install Plex or Firecore's ATV Flash.

Any questions?

Steve Wozniak Shares Insight on Tablet Revolution

Cody Lee ∙ April 10, 2011

The man who co-founded Apple still spends his days giving his opinions to high profile people. He is still on Apple's Board of Directors, and is listed on their payroll, so trust me when I say he's not out of the loop.

The genius credited with building the first Apple computer was asked his opinion on the new era of computing last weekend. During a keynote session at Storage Networking World in Santa Clara last week, Wozniak was asked how tablets would revolutionize the industry.

"The tablet is not necessarily for the people in this room,"

He told the audience of engineers.

"It's for the normal people in the world. I think Steve Jobs had that intention from the day we started Apple, but it was just hard to get there, because we had to go through a lot of steps where you connected things, and eventually computers grew up to where they could do... normal consumer appliance things."

Wozniak's remarks seem to be extremely in line (obviously) with what Apple has been saying all along, especially since the introduction of the iPad. Apple's goal hasn't ever been to be the fastest or have the highest tech specs.

They want to make products that appeal to the average consumer because there are so many more of them than there are people that care about the number of processors in a product.

Although the touch interface is quite nice on a tablet, it makes typing lengthy emails or putting together extensive spreadsheets tedious chores. The iPad is built for web browsing and viewing media content, things a normal person would do frequently. Thanks Steve for clarifying that for everyone, Motorola and company need to be taking notes!

What do you think? Is the tablet-PC meant more for normal people?

[Macworld]

Watch Every SouthPark Episode for Free on Your iPhone

Cody Lee ∙ Updated May 11, 2018

One of the major advantages to owning an iPhone is all of the access to free content. Apps like TV.com, WatchESPN, and others allow you to watch popular media for free on your iPhone, as long as you have an internet connection.

For all of you jailbroken users, I have another app for you that will fill the need to watch free content on your iDevice. Its name is iSouthPark and it claims to allow you to watch all 209 episodes of the popular South Park cartoon on your iPhone for free. It certainly sounds enticing, but how does this work?

Does Apple Need to Upgrade the iPhone’s Text Input Options?

Cody Lee ∙ Updated March 18, 2019

I think most of us would agree that the iPhone keyboard is one of the best soft touch keyboards around. The keys are very responsive and touches are accurate. I also think Apple could stand to modernize a bit. Though their standard keyboard is great, they are falling behind the times when it comes to alternative text input.

While many of Google's Android handsets come with options like Swype preinstalled, Apple customers are left sitting on the bank throwing rocks. Those who have played with Swype know what I'm talking about, the concept is amazing. You just draw a line with your finger from letter to letter of the word you want to type on the virtual keyboard...

Apple Snags Major Gaming PR Executives

Cody Lee ∙ Updated November 16, 2017

It's no secret that Apple sees their iPhone and iPod touch products as gaming devices. Their unique combination of power and portability make them serious contenders in the handheld gaming market. But if you remember back to last fall, major console heavy weight Sony took some shots at Apple in a marketing campaign.

The popular TV ad referred to an iPhone-like device as "not built for big boy games." Well it looks as though Apple is planning something for the gaming community to put some points back up on the board. MCV, an overseas gaming site, reported yesterday that Apple has hired 2 high profile PR executives from the gaming community...

How to SSH into Your Jailbroken Apple TV2 to Install Apps

Cody Lee ∙ April 9, 2011

If you have recently jailbroken your Apple TV2 for the first time, you might find yourself wondering what to do next. Sure the default NitoTV is cool, but there's only so much you can do with it.

If you are seriously looking to venture into the world of Apple TV hacking, you might want to pay attention. One of the best ways to access your Apple TV and install files is through SSH. This is just basically a secure connection between 2 devices.

In this case it is between your computer and your Apple TV2. OpenSSH, written by Saurik is installed during the jailbreak process. This is what allows your Apple TV to make a connection with your computer.

I'm on a Mac but I assume it is basically the same process for Windows users with its command line prompt app. Mac users open spotlight and type in Terminal. Once open you want to enter the following:

ssh root@192.168.x.x

Obviously you want to fill in the x's with your Apple TV2 IP address. To find it, just open the main Apple TV menu and go to Settings > General > Network > IP address.

Don't get discouraged if you don't get it right away, it took me a few minutes before I finally got prompted for a password. Also you must make sure you are on the same Wi-Fi network as your Apple TV.

The default Apple password is alpine, like on all of their other iOS devices. Type it in and hit enter. You should now see Apple-TV:~root# which means you have write access to Apple TV's hard disk.

For an example I will give you the commands to install XBMC on your AppleTV2 which is a popular home theatre PC software.

echo "deb http://mirrors.xbmc.org/apt/atv2 ./" > /etc/apt/sources.list.d/xbmc.list

apt-get update

apt-get install org.xbmc.xbmc-atv2

After the last line is entered, you should see some code scrolling across your Apple TV2 and your machine will restart. After it reboots, you should see XBMC in your Apple TV Main Menu. You have successfully SSH'd into your Apple TV!

Any questions?