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+.

The best iOS 8 jailbreak tweaks

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls. It's the end of 2014, and that can only mean one thing: it's time to compile our list of the best iOS 8 jailbreak tweaks of 2014.

To be eligible to make this list, the jailbreak tweak or app must have been released in 2014, it can't be an update or a sequel to another tweak released prior to 2014, it must work on the latest iOS 8 jailbreak, and it must be compatible with the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus. That means that tweaks like Auxo 3, which would have otherwise made the list, are not included. I know those are some pretty tough regulations, but by doing it this way, we ensure that we have an original list full of fresh and new jailbreak apps and tweaks that you can use today.

Okay, enough talk. Let's get into our list of the best jailbreak releases of 2014. Will your favorite tweak make the list?

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Let’s Talk Jailbreak 87: $9,796 Mac Pro upgrade

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 17, 2018

Episode 87: We talk about Auxo 3, Camera Tweak 3, AnyDrop 3 and many more new jailbreak tweak releases. We also discuss the new iMods store platform, Jeff's ongoing issues with his Macs, and much more.

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This episode has no sponsor, but you can always support Let’s Talk Jailbreak and iDB by downloading our OS X Yosemite Interactive User Guide in the iBooks Store.

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CarPlay Activator rebranded as ‘Ignition’ launches for free on Cydia

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

CarPlay Activator, a tweak that we reviewed in depth a few weeks ago, is now available for download on Cydia as Ignition. The tweak, which is remarkably free of charge, is from well-respected developer Adam Bell. If you're not interested in dropping north of $500 on a CarPlay head unit with a terrible resistive touch screen, then Ignition may be the answer to your CarPlay desires.

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ReachApp will bring true split-screen multitasking to iOS 8

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

Reachability continues to be a feature of focus for jailbreak developers, but I have to say that this latest upcoming jailbreak tweak takes the cake. ReachApp is an in-development jailbreak tweak that brings true split-screen multitasking to iOS 8 by means of Reachability. That means that yes, you can view two apps at the same time, and interact with both apps! Watch our video to see how it works in action.

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Auxo 3 review: a legendary tweak inches closer to perfection

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

After much anticipation, I finally have my hands on Auxo 3—exactly two years to the day of the original Auxo release date. This is a jailbreak tweak a long time in the making. It's the second sequel to one of the most well-known and impactful jailbreak tweaks in the community's storied history, and it doesn't disappoint.

If I could put it into a nutshell, I'd say that Auxo 3 is a much-refined version Auxo 2. Lead designer, Sentry, and developer, Qusic, refrain from deviating drastically from the things that made Auxo 2 such a compelling update, but the pair does bring quite a few new interesting features and refinements to the table. This ultimately proves to be a very good thing.

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CameraTweak 3: a good Camera app upgrade, but not as compelling as its predecessors

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

The CameraTweak series of jailbreak tweaks is a long-running series that first debuted over two years ago for iOS 6. At the time, it brought many features to the iPhone's Camera app that were sorely missing. Things like adding a countdown timer and improved exposure and focus control are just a few of the enhancements that jailbreakers welcomed with opened arms. Now that the stock Camera app has been dramatically improved in iOS 7 and iOS 8, is CameraTweak 3 the compelling tweak that its predecessors were?

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Let’s Talk iOS 061: Making the case for a case

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated March 19, 2019

Episode 61: Sebastien opens up about the first time using a case on the iPhone. Cody shares his first experiences using Apple Pay. A heartfelt discussion about the direction of Let's Talk iOS and what it means for the future of the show.

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Allarm: a cleverly named tweak that toggles all alarm clocks simultaneously

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

Looking for a quick way to disable all alarm clocks in the stock Clock app at the same time? Allarm—a clever mix of the words All and Alarm—is a brand new jailbreak tweak that allows you to do just that. It places a handy toggle switch at the top of the alarm clock tab in the stock Clock app. Toggling this switch allows you to quickly disable all alarms simultaneously.

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How to add Nyan Cat to Reachability view

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

It seems like at least once every jailbreak generation a jailbreak tweak arrives to add the Nyan Cat to iOS. This time around, the Nyan Cat is added to iOS 8's Reachability view. Appropriately entitled ReachTheNyanCat, this free jailbreak tweak is a good way to spice up Reachability on your iPhone.

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AnyDrop 3: share any file via AirDrop on iOS 8

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

Developer Majd Alfhaily is back with a new iOS 8-ready version of AnyDrop, the jailbreak app that allows you to share any file via the built-in AirDrop feature on iOS 8. Entitled AnyDrop 3, this latest version of the app supports both iOS 7 and iOS 8 out of the box. If you're interested in unleashing AirDrop, making it compatible with native file system files and even Music app tracks, then AnyDrop 3 is a jailbreak app that's worth investigating.

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AppBox 8: a powerful Lock screen add-on for iOS 8

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

Developer Jacob Caraballo has released an updated version of AppBox specifically for iOS 8. Like its predecessor, AppBox 8 functions as a Lock screen launcher and overall Lock screen enhancer. AppBox 8 can launch apps directly from the Lock screen without entering a passcode. It also features plugins for certain apps to access shortcuts for composing new notes, accessing playlists, contacts, and more.

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