Jeff Benjamin

Jeff has been with iDownloadBlog since 2010, acting as resident video specialist, and tutorial expert. He earned his degree in Computer Network Systems back in 2001, but decided Cisco routers and the like just weren’t for him. Since then, he’s been heavily involved with online writing. He’s written for numerous tech and video game sites since the late 1990′s, and has a knack for explaining things in a simple, clear, and concise manner. Jeff works primarily from the east coast on his Retina Macbook Pro, and shoots video with a Canon DSLR. During downtime he likes to travel the world, visiting the various Apple Stores across the globe. You can email him at jeff [at] idownloadblog.com and follow him on Twitter @JeffBenjam or on Google+.

How to Fix the iPhone’s Dreaded Recovery Loop and Downgrade Back to iOS 4.3.3

Jeff Benjamin ∙ September 21, 2011

If you're the type of person who likes to sell your current iPhone and use the funds to upgrade to the latest and greatest iPhone, then you've been there before. Restoring your iPhone to stock, and cleaning it up, is essential if you want to ensure you get top dollar for your device.

Thankfully, Cody already covered quite a few bases in his article, here. But what if you're still having issues downgrading your iPhone, or getting it back to stock after jailbreaking? I know a lot of you have personally told me about your struggles with the iPhone's dreaded recovery loop.

If you're having issues downgrading your iPhone back to iOS 4.3.3, issues with iTunes Error (1), and/or you're stuck in the recovery loop, and can't get out, this video tutorial should fix what ails you...

Video Walkthrough of the New RedSn0w Jailbreak Tool

Jeff Benjamin ∙ September 20, 2011

As we previously reported, RedSn0w received a massive update with its 0.9.9b1 iteration, released a few days ago.

This latest version of RedSn0w is a huge step in the right direction for the iPhone Dev Team, as it includes features like firmware fetching and caching, auto-detection from DFU mode, and SHSH blob management.

We're very excited about the future of RedSn0w, but admittedly, all of the new fangled features can be a bit confusing. For this reason, we've created a brief video walkthrough that touches on some of the new areas of RedSnow...

Gesturizer: Launch Apps and Actions Using Gestures

Jeff Benjamin ∙ September 19, 2011

Is your selection of Activator gestures wearing a little thin? Looking to add an infinite amount of app-launching gestures to your jailbroken iPhone?

If that sounds all too familiar, then Gesturizer could be just what you need. This jailbreak tweak allows you to launch apps and perform actions, using custom hand-drawn gestures. Check out our full video demonstration inside...

Ask Jeff: Episode 06 – An Apple Fanboy’s Perspective

Jeff Benjamin ∙ September 17, 2011

Another week, and that can only mean one or two things; you just got paid, and/or it's time for another episode of Ask Jeff.

As always, this is the show where you the viewers get to ask the questions, and I do my best to provide some decent answers.

On this week's docket, we tackle Apple fanboys, compare Android devices to the iPhone, queuing in line for the iPhone 5, and chit-chat about some of my favorite jailbreak apps. If you have a question that you're just dying to get answered, step right up...

Why the Case-Mate iPhone 5 Mockups Are Probably Fake

Jeff Benjamin ∙ September 16, 2011

If you ask me, the iPhone 4's design is the epitome of phone designs. It's why we're going on a year and a half since it was released, and there still isn't a device that truly rivals its beauty or function.

I wasn't really worried about Apple straying too far from this design, because in general, they tend to stick with what works for a decent length of time, e.g. the iMac, Mac Pro, etc. All of those products have basically remained the same over the past few years, sans a few minor tweaks here and there.

But then, Case-MateGate happened; purported iPhone 5 mockups along with them, and stuff just got real...

Add Live Video Wallpaper to Stock SMS With BeyondSMS

Jeff Benjamin ∙ September 16, 2011

Looking for a way to enhance your SMS experience, but apps and tweaks like biteSMS or SMSPlus fail to meet your needs? If so, perhaps it's time to go beyond SMS.

Indeed, BeyondSMS is a jailbreak tweak for the iPhone that integrates tightly with the stock SMS app, providing things like hidden message capability and live camera wallpaper. Take a look inside for a full video synopsis...

SBPhoto: Create Home Screen Shortcuts to Your Photos

Jeff Benjamin ∙ September 15, 2011

SBPhoto is a recently released jailbreak app, that lends you the convenience of adding a photo bookmark directly to your Home screen. Maybe there's one photo that you're always showing off, and you need to access it quickly? SBPhoto can hook you up.

By processing the snapshot through SBPhoto, you'll end up with an miniaturized representation of your photo on your Home screen as an app icon. Upon tapping that icon, it'll open a Safari instance, and then link you to that awesome photo of your cat doing the four legged splits, or whatever other bizarre behavior your cat likes to engage in...

AppDialer: An Android Inspired App Launcher For iPhone

Jeff Benjamin ∙ September 14, 2011

Itching for yet another unique way to launch all of your favorite iPhone apps? Wish the iPhone featured more Android inspired styling?

If so, then AppDialer might be right up your alley. With AppDialer, you can launch your Activator assigned apps using an Android styled pattern launcher. Check past the break for a full video demonstration...

KBShortcuts: An Amazing iPhone Productivity Tweak

Jeff Benjamin ∙ September 14, 2011

What do you get when you mix ActionMenu, TextExpander, and Swype? It might end up in a disaster for those unskilled, but when rising jailbreak developer iSam is behind the project, people should take notice.

His latest tweak, dubbed KBShortcuts, is a masterfully skilled mashup of all of those previously mentioned ideas, and it's resulted in an absolute must have tweak — so much so, that It'll leave you wondering how you ever got by without it...

‘OS X Lion Ultimatum’ is the Best iPhone Theme Ever

Jeff Benjamin ∙ September 12, 2011

I've reviewed tons of DreamBoard themes over the last 6 months, and I've stumbled upon some really spectacular work.

Themes such as Asymmetric HD and AppleWeb HD set high bars for what to expect out of the DreamBoard framework.

As good as those themes are, nothing could prepare me for the meticulously detailed OS X Lion Ultimatum, which is far and away the best iPhone theme I've ever seen or used...

iNVADERCADE: An iCade Inspired Space Invaders Cabinet For the iPad

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated May 26, 2017

First you had Atari, and now another old-school gaming company is hoping to ride the waves of interest that the original iCade has mustered up.

Japanese video game developer and publisher, Taito — the same company behind the old school classic Space Invaders — has apparently seen enough; now it wants a share of the iPad peripheral pie...

The Likely Reason Why There Will Be No 64GB iPhone 5

Jeff Benjamin ∙ September 12, 2011

Yesterday, we reported that the iPhone 5 might not receive the bump in storage that some have been expecting. Rumors swirling around a screen-grab from a Vodafone inventory listing, suggests that the iPhone 5 will arrive in one of four flavors — a black 16GB or 32GB option, and a white 16GB or 32GB option — 64GB of storage capacity was nowhere to be seen.

Now, at first, that might seem weird considering that Apple's created 64GB iterations of the iPod touch and iPad lineup. But iCloud is right on the horizon, and with it, Apple has effectively eliminated the need for increased local storage capacity in their mobile devices. Check inside to see why...