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+.

Hot Shoe Holder Puts Your iPhone 4 and Your DSLR on the Same Team

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated February 18, 2018

Being an avid photographer and cameraman, I was pretty excited when the opportunity to review the Hot Shoe Holder presented itself.

For those of you who aren't camera geeks, the hot shoe is that little metal plate that sits on top of a camera. It's used to mount peripherals (mainly flashes), and while you won't normally find them on point and shoot cameras, they're staples for DSLRs.

That brings us to the Hot Shoe Holder, a small plastic iPhone 4 holder that allows you to mount your iPhone onto your camera's hot shoe.

If you're into photography, no-doubt your wheels are already spinning at the possibilities, while non-camera folks might start scratching their heads.

Why would you want to mount an iPhone 4 on top of a camera? Folks, the possibilities are almost limitless...

This is How You Jam to the Angry Birds Theme Song

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated May 26, 2017

I know Sebastien has a well documented adoration for the Tiny Wings theme song, but let's not forget who started the popular bird trend.

Angry Birds recently received their own theme song cover treatment, courtesy of indie cover band Pomplamoose.

Strangely enough, they're using a Samsung phone throughout the video, which isn't really giving props where it's due since in my opinion, no one would know Angry Birds without the iPhone...

Apple Deemed World’s Most Valuable Brand

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated January 24, 2016

The story of Apple has to be one of the most interesting stories in American business history.

Not too long ago, Apple was a dying brand, another casualty of the Microsoft empire, a complete and utter lost cause.

Then someone named Steve Jobs came back to the house he initially built, and took Apple from certain death, to profitability, to desirability, all the way to the world's most valuable brand.

While it's not surprising that Apple is 2011's most valuable brand given its recent success, when you look at the big picture, it's an incredible accomplishment...

How to Jailbreak iPhone 4.3.3 with PwnageTool [Tutorial]

Jeff Benjamin ∙ May 6, 2011

Three updates, and three jailbreaks using the same exploit; that's got to be some sort of record.

For those of you interested in preserving your baseband with this latest jailbreak, you're obviously going to want to stay away from RedSn0w.

PwnageTool is the jailbreak tool to use when you're interested in creating custom firmware, and most importantly, when you need to preserve an unlockable baseband. Even if your baseband isn't unlockable, you may want to preserve your baseband in case a future unlock is found.

The good news is, the choice is yours. Without further explaining, here is the tutorial that will show you how to jailbreak your iPhone running iOS 4.3.3 and preserve your baseband with PwnageTool...

PdaNet Updated to Mask Tethering Usage, Great News for MyWi Users

Jeff Benjamin ∙ May 5, 2011

Talk about good timing. Alex just shared his experience lamenting AT&T's strict tethering policies, and not so much as an hour later we learn that PdaNet has been updated to mask tethering.

While a lot of you may be more familiar with MyWi when it comes to tethering, PdaNet is the forerunner to MyWi, and still has quite the loyal following today.

Even if you are a MyWi user, this is wonderful news, because it means that the developers of MyWi shouldn't be too many steps behind when it comes to implementing similar features in their tethering app...

Apple Releases iOS 4.3.3 (4.2.8 for Verizon iPhone)

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated January 22, 2016

Well, that was a wee bit quicker than we expected, but Apple has released iOS 4.3.3 to the public.

Although the update was initially said to be released sometime in the next few weeks (it was about a week ago when they stated this), it looks like Apple has finished testing and has opted to release iOS 4.3.3 ahead of schedule.

Why the rush to release such an minor update? It's just a sneaking suspicion, but it might have something to do with the bad press that Apple's been receiving as of late due to a certain location tracking bug...

Tweetbot Goes Under the Knife With Two Recent Jailbreak Tweaks

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated January 24, 2016

It's no secret that we at iDB love us some Tweetbot. In fact, I think Alex gave it its most glowing review to date.

Despite the positive response from us and the public in general, the app does have some opportunities for improvement in a few basic areas.

The first noticeably lacking option is landscape mode. That's right, there's no built in landscape mode to speak of just yet.

Secondly, the ability to tweet out messages longer than the stock 140 characters is nowhere to be found as well.

For those of you who love Tweetbot, but are at odds with these glaring omissions, jailbreak developer Filippo Bigarella has provided two worthwhile solutions...

Download an App With a Developer Promo Code? Say Goodbye to Your Review Privileges

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated May 9, 2011

Apple has been ardently working on improving its App Store ranking and review system as of late. Just recently we reported that Apple had tweaked its ranking algorithm in an effort to improve the legitimacy of App Store rankings.

Now another new policy to help support their efforts has apparently gone into effect. Any app that has been obtained by means of a developer promo code is no longer eligible for review.

In fact, Apple explicitly states that if you want to review any such app, you will need to actually purchase said app...

PKGBackup Tutorial – How To Backup And Restore Your Jailbreak Apps, Settings, and Preferences

Jeff Benjamin ∙ May 3, 2011

If there's one area of jailbreaking that continues to be a source of confusion, it's backing up all of your jailbreak apps and tweaks.

There are many different methods devised by just as many people, but there continues to be a lingering sense of misunderstanding among the throngs of jailbreakers.

Fortunately there is one surefire way to backup your iPhone, and all of your jailbreak settings each and every time by means of a handy little jailbreak app called PKGBackup...

Verizon Placing Location Tracking Warning Labels on All Phones

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated January 24, 2016

Want to buy a new phone from Verizon? Well now you've got yet another sticker to contend with upon purchase.

From this point forward all new phones sold from Verizon will include the label above, which warns users that the devices have the ability to determine your geographic location.

Now I know what you're probably thinking; Verizon's just trying to cover their butts in light of Apple's recent mobile phone tracking scandal; I thought the same thing too.

As it turns out, it just happened to be really good timing, as you'll see inside...

The White iPhone 4 is Vulnerable to the LimeRa1n Exploit

Jeff Benjamin ∙ April 27, 2011

Good news, since I know nearly all of you will be lining up in the morning to lay claim to a white iPhone 4. I kid, I kid.

Nevertheless, there’s a bit of good news coming out of the Twitter-sphere this afternoon, and it's regarding the vulnerability of the white iPhone 4.

The question people have been wondering is this: Will the iPhone 4 be vulnerable to a jailbreak out of the box tomorrow? Renowned iPhone hacker @chronic gives the answer inside...

Steve Jobs and Phil Schiller Discuss White iPhone 4 Delays

Jeff Benjamin ∙ April 27, 2011

The white iPhone 4 is all the rage right now, and rightfully so. Its numerous delays are the type of things that legends are made of.

Now that the white iPhone will be here tomorrow, Apple CEO Steve Jobs and SVP Phil Schiller have opened up about the challenges Apple faced while trying to bring the white iPhone 4 to market.

Apple has created a two-toned version of the iPhone before -- see the iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS -- but little did they know that they were venturing into new territory with an all white iPhone 4...