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+.

‘DreamBoard’ Brings Advanced Theming to the iPhone

Do you feel like WinterBoard is getting a bit long in the tooth? Tired of its limitations?

Perhaps this new jailbreak app might pique your interest then. It's called DreamBoard, and it promises to bring advanced theming to your iPhone.

Those are pretty big promises, especially considering how the mighty WinterBoard has pretty much dominated iPhone theming over the last few years.

Can DreamBoard live up to its aspirations for greatness?

Need a New Way to Navigate Your iPhone’s Screens? Try ‘SwipeNav’

SwipeNav is a jailbreak tweak that enables swipe navigation on apps that support UINavigation. Got all that?

Yeah, I was about as confused as that sounds when reading the description for SwipeNav, but after actually trying the tweak, I was able to understand the concept behind it.

In a nutshell, SwipeNav will allow you to use swipe motions to navigate to a prior page on apps that feature the blue navigation bar at the top...

‘Springboard Enhancer’ Promises Cramped iPhone Home Screens

It seems like we've been down this road before, doesn't it? Springboard Enhancer is a tweak that promises springboard customization, and it generally focuses on adding 5 app icons on your springboard, in your folders, in your dock, and in your app switcher.

If you've been using tweaks like Five Icon Dock, Five Icon Folder, Five Icon Switcher, etc., Springboard Enhancer can outright replace all of those jailbreak tweaks, and it's free just like the aforementioned tweaks as well.

Springboard Enhancer is all tweak, there are no app icons, and no settings section to worry about configuring; just install it and go...

Steve Jobs Sends Out Letter of Encouragement to Japanese Apple Staff

In an email that was reportedly sent out to all Apple employees, Steve Jobs and the rest of the Apple executive team took some time out from their day-to-day activities to acknowledge the pain and suffering in Japan due to the earthquake and tsunami disasters.

According to the email, Apple will supply the needed resources and supplies at employee request, and will arrange delivery; though obviously in the area's current state, logistics could prove to be an issue.

Apple has also delayed the iPad 2's Japanese launch in light of the recent events. To read the entire email from Steve and the rest of the executive team, take a look inside...

‘PowerUp’ Supercharges Your iPhone’s Power Options

Are you power hungry? Well then, I have the perfect jailbreak tweak for you.

PowerUp is a free jailbreak tweak available on Cydia that maps additional options to your iPhone's sleep button.

Normally when you press and hold sleep you get the "slide to power off" dialogue, but with PowerUp installed, your options just got a tad more robust...

AT&T Makes Good on Its 1,000 Rollover Minutes Promise

So last month, AT&T, reeling off the loss of iPhone exclusivity, went into all out panic mode and started treating customers like human beings for once.

They started offering some customers the unlimited data plans again, added an extra 2GB to the DataPro tethering plans, created a new Mobile to Any Mobile feature, and they even offered to pony up 1,000 bonus rollover minutes just to show us how much they care.

I have to admit; it was bizarre to see AT&T get all courteous with their customers. Just a few minutes ago, AT&T made good on their promise of an extra 1,000 roll over minutes as I was alerted by text message much in the same way as the initial offer...

New Version of Mobile Substrate Adds ASLR Support

If you're one of the early birds who decided to jailbreak their iOS 4.3 firmware without proper Mobile Substrate support, we have good news for you.

A patched version of Mobile Substrate is available that reportedly addresses the issues with ASLR.

As you're aware, the current version of Mobile Substrate doesn't work with iOS 4.3, rendering many of our favorite jailbreak apps and tweaks inoperable on Apple's latest firmware...

Capcom Drops Street Fighter IV Down to $0.99, With All Proceeds Going to Relief Efforts in Japan

Capcom, the Japanese game publisher that's perhaps best known for its Street Fighter series, is engaging in one of the most important fights in the company's storied history -- the fight for survival.

After the devastating earthquake and tsunami hit the island in an almost unbelievable proportion, Capcom is doing what it does best to help those in need -- it's letting characters from its most famous franchise do the fighting.

Today, the company dropped the price of Street Fighter IV for the iPhone to $0.99 and promised to donate all proceeds of the sales to relief efforts in Japan...

Is NFC a No Go For the iPhone 5?

Back in January of this year, rumors were swirling about the possibility of Near Field Communications (NFC) technology being a part of the iPhone 5.

It's been assumed that Apple will use the technology to allow its users to make mobile transactions, a wallet replacement of sorts that eliminates the need to carry around physical credit cards.

Now it seems like those rumors may have been a bit premature, as Apple dismisses the idea of NFC appearing in its next iPhone...

‘Springtomize’ Brings an Insane Level of Springboard Customization to the iPhone

Okay Mr. Bigarella, you've outdone yourself this time. That's the only phrase that popped into my head upon installing Springtomize and discerning how gaudy his latest jailbreak tweak is.

There's simply no better description for Springtomize -- a jailbreak tweak that takes about 50 other jailbreak tweaks, and rolls them all into one.

In fact, there are so many options here, that it could prove to be a bit overwhelming for those just looking to add slight customizations to their iPhones.

But that's not who Springtomize is aimed at. It's aimed at those who want absolute 100% control over the look and feel of their iPhone; it does a pretty good job of doing so too...

‘Photector’ is a Jailbreak Tweak That Protects Your iPhone’s Photos

Ever wish there was a quick and easy way to prevent your iPhone's photos from being accidentally purged?

Apple kind of skimped on the data protection elements of iOS; there's no native way to prevent someone from going into your camera roll, and deleting all of your photographs if they have access to your iPhone.

Again, the Cydia store comes to the rescue as another jailbreak tweak entitled Photector pops up on the scene to save the day...

Here’s What a 64GB iPhone 4 Looks Like on Video

A couple of days ago we reported on a story revolving around a mysterious 64GB iPhone 4 that seemed to have sprung out of nowhere.

Initial reports around the web indicated that the device was being sold on the grey markets in China.

Now a bit of clarification has been added to the mix, as it appears that this iPhone 4 is one of maybe a few prototypes that "leaked" out of Foxconn facilities.

As you can see, the iPhone 4 definitely reeks of being a prototype. Notice that the + and - signs on the volume keys are nowhere to be found.

This device looks eerily similar to the iPhone 4 that Gizmodo acquired last year from a guy that left his prototype iPhone 4 lying helplessly in a bar.

Another point of note is that the silver ring that surrounds the camera lens in production iPhone 4's is missing as well. That too is a feature identical to the iPhone 4 shown off by Gizmodo.

Judging from the similarities, I'm going to go on the limb as call this a pre-production iPhone 4 that just happened to find its way outside of Foxconn's walls. I highly doubt we'll ever see an iPhone 4 with 64GB of storage, but it's definitely possible for the iPhone 5.

The good news is that Apple is indeed testing such storage capabilities, so at least they are contemplating it.

What do you think?

[M.I.C. Gadget via BGR]