Jim Gresham

Editor at iDownloadBlog.com since 2012, Jim Gresham curates the finest wallpapers and customizations for Apple devices, enhancing user experience through visual creativity. With a keen eye for design and a passion for personalization, Jim helps readers transform their screens into stunning displays. He spent his younger years tinkering with computers, reading about technology, and watching Star Wars, while being teased by his peers at school for nerdy tendencies. Since 2008, he has worked on improving his Apple arsenal and spends his free time researching the latest gadget trends, trying to find the next awesome iDevice accessory for review. A native of the Commonwealth of Virginia, he enjoys the stiff crease on a well-ironed dress shirt and dons a bow tie on a regular basis.

Wallpapers of the week: simplistic scratches

Jim Gresham ∙ Updated March 15, 2018

Wallpapers have the ability to truly change the look and feel of the iOS 7 operating system. As we discovered during our blurry phase, the entire system changes throughout with the transparencies. However, the multi-layered colors were the only visually stimulating item throughout the OS.

Using boxes, shadows, and textures is another way to enhance UI, but several of those key components were lost with Forstall's iOS 6. There is a very delicate way to use these elements but still keep things iOS 7 compliant. This week we feature iPhone 5 wallpaper and SpringBoard specific wallpapers that utilize shadows, textures, and transparency to change the Lock screen and Home screen design in a creative way...

ZAGG’s Origin wireless speaker combo [review and giveaway]

Jim Gresham ∙ Updated April 13, 2018

The Bluetooth speaker is making its way as a universal speaker for all mobile devices. As I mentioned in a previous Bluetooth speaker round up just last week, it appears more companies are entering the Bluetooth speaker marketplace. Also, it seems fewer companies are producing dock based speakers. After Apple turned the iPhone dedicated aftermarket upside down by eliminating the 30 pin cable, fewer companies want to continue chancing a Lightning pin specific option. With the universal Bluetooth standard, not only does the company future proof their design, but all mobile devices will work effortlessly, thus preventing costly dedicated iPhone models.

ZAGG (you know them as one of the original iPhone skin companies) is also branching into the mobile media scene. No longer just the InvisibleShield company, ZAGG and their new subsidiary iFrogz are getting their hands dirty in a cross platform way. From skins to cases to audio, there is certainly a diversification for the company. I was able to review a new pair of their Bluetooth headphones a few weeks back and today, a closer look at the ZAGG Bluetooth speaker, should leave everyone begging for more.

The ZAGG Origin, which made its first splash at CES 2013, had escaped my radar until recently. With a streamlined design and hard hitting sound, I was excited to receive a review unit. Origin may look like it is just another part of the average Bluetooth line up, but a detachable companion speaker is the second part of a one-two punch to success...

MiDock for iPhone is a simple and minimal desktop companion

Jim Gresham ∙ Updated March 14, 2018

Like iPhone sleeve cases, the "dock" is a generally over populated hardware field that many manufacturers throw out as an option. With so many different docks on the market, little things make or break the product. At what angle is the iPhone sitting, does it adjust, what are the materials, can it hold both iPhone and iPad, etc? Today, I take a look at the successfully Kickstarted MiDock and put it through the paces.

My first impressions of the device were very positive and for my personal preferences, it fit with my iPhone usage. However, after looking at the MiDock more critically, it might not be for everyone. Take a stop beyond the fold to determine if the MiDock is right for you...

A look at newly launched Incipio 5c cases

Jim Gresham ∙ Updated October 24, 2017

Incipio is always quick on the trigger when it comes to releasing new product lines along with Apple's new hardware. Before the iPhone launch, I was already contacted by some friends at Incipio asking me to take a look at their, then unreleased, products. Happily agreeing, they sent over three different cases for inspection.

Inside, I take a closer look at these cases and their form factors, relating to iPhone 5c. These are the first 5c cases I received for any reviewing purposes and they all fit quite well. As with most Incipio line ups, they are affordable and colorful...

Wallpapers of the week: crisp and naturally inspired

Jim Gresham ∙ Updated January 23, 2018

We are rolling through some great wallpapers in the Wallpapers of the Week section on iDB. If you have not gone back through the archive, I highly suggest spending a few minutes rounding up submissions from the past twenty weeks. That is almost a full half-year's worth of wallpapers, kept alive by submissions from our readers.

Of course, some walls are more preferred by other readers, but some people like chicken more than steak. It is all a matter of preference. Even Sebastien and I have different tastes in wallpapers, but we know that beauty is in the eye of the beholder and a variety of walls will best suit the readers. We have gone through a blurry phase and a short photography phase, but truth is, anything that looks awesome is fair game. Consequently, I encourage you to keep sending in those images, as they are all considered each week. If you have something negative to say about the offerings, then get yourself into Photoshop and get busy, because we are waiting for your creative images...

A quick look at the Moshi dual car charger and premium Lightning cables

Jim Gresham ∙ Updated October 12, 2018

I assume there was an eyebrow raise at "premium Lightning cables." Be ensured, the title is not intended to be click bait, rather a description of the actual product. After Apple switched from 30 pin, my arsenal of available cords depleted. Like many of our readers, I amassed a large number of 30 pin cables across the years.

Suddenly, I needed to reinvest in more cables. I grew accustomed to having a cable pretty much anywhere I sat for more than an hour. The folks at Moshi sent me a review unit of their Lightning cable, which is the same price as a standard Apple OEM cable, but offer a lot more in the way of rugged design and classy fixtures...

Some entry level Bluetooth speakers to consider

Jim Gresham ∙ Updated April 13, 2018

We love music. For years, well before iPods, we took music everywhere. From records to CD's, music is a part of every day life, especially with the invention of MP3 players and the subsequent iPod. However, these are personal devices with single use headphone jacks. Music is most fun when enjoyed with those around us, or at least without being tied down by a corded headset.

Setting music free, is the Bluetooth speaker. As a reviewer, it seems Bluetooth speakers continue to advance in popularity. Not only do I get asked to review them more frequently, but I seem to have more personal conversations about them too. Which one is best, more portable, louder, more clear, better battery and so forth. To throw a few out there for consideration, I rounded up four different models for your consideration...

Neurio vows to make all homes intelligent

Jim Gresham ∙ Updated April 13, 2018

Neurio is an electrical monitoring device developed by Energy Aware Technology. The small device sits in the home's breaker box and "monitors how much power homes are using, and figures out the cost of running individual appliances using smart algorithms that look for patterns and potential problems." Using a self-learning algorithm, the unit collects data about the electrical items in the home. Reports and information are provided to the user, who then determines which ways to better eliminate energy consumption.

Most importantly, the monitoring and cloud reporting does not require home owners to install sensors on any device. As the unit sits in the breaker box, connected to the central home electrical hub, it monitors information directly from the source. Using a companion app, cleverly titled "Wattson," a homeowners' smartphone becomes the simple monitoring tool needed to determine real time power consumption and usage...

Wallpapers of the week: Movember

Jim Gresham ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

'Tis the season," they say, but not yet the season for Christmas. The month prior to December is host to many wonderful things in life, most notably, Thanksgiving for Americans, Fall leaves, cold nights, and Starbucks never ending marketing blitz for the Pumpkin Spice Latte. As a man, or woman I suppose, November is also heralded as Movember, a month to grow a mustache to help support awareness for men's health issues.

Men the world 'round can participate by growing facial hair, particularly a mustache. If you haven't started growing your stache, only three days passed, get busy. To celebrate the manly month of Movember, today's post includes mustached wallpapers for the occasion...

Wallpapers of the week: iPhone 5c tributes

Jim Gresham ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

We are a little wallpaper crazy. Over the past couple weeks we posted standard Wallpapers of the Week, along with iPad event wallpapers and iPad Air wallpaper recreations. Based on the comment feedback, everyone seems to enjoy the wallpaper coverage on the site and we hope to keep everyone flush with fresh walls. Nothing is worse than a stale Lock screen.

As we continue to prep for the iPad Air launch this coming Friday, we take a moment to pay homage to the new iPhone 5c, before all attention is given to the iPads. In today's wallpaper post, we highlight graphic artist Svink who created two great walls with different variations...

Booqpad combines an iPad mini case and notepad into one

Jim Gresham ∙ Updated March 14, 2018

I like being professional. Sure, being a blogger doesn't mean my job screams business suit, white dress shirt, and dark blue tie. After all, I'm not rolling down the hallways of an IBM clone factory like my father did before me. But, I love him anyway. Being professional does not require the suit, but it can easily be defined by accessories. No, not a pocket square. I mean your gadget accessories.

For my iPhone 5s, when I am trying to look the part, I opt for the Kouros leather sleeve, because it is simple, streamlined, black, and refined. When it comes to my iPad mini, I also prefer those same characteristics. But, often, the mini is more of my work horse, which should get even better with an A7 processor. I may grab my phone in a meeting to check the calendar or a quick notification about the Virginia Tech Hokies, but iPad is the true go-to for more complex tasks. Keeping things at my fingers, the Booqpad mini by Booq even has a spot for handwritten notes...

Moshi iPhone 5s cases round up

Jim Gresham ∙ Updated April 13, 2018

As soon as I ordered my iPhone 5s, I began hunting around the internet for new cases. Yes, iPhone 5 cases are completely compatible with iPhone 5s, but I started looking anyway. New iPhone, new case, is my standard. Something fresh was needed. I didn't know exactly what I was looking for at the time, but something that related to the new 5s in some way.

Moshi came to mind, as they always utilize clean and simple designs. A clip on case is always the most simplistic and I opted for that version. Browsing through the selection, I came across the iGlaze Armour and it is marketed as a slim fit case. The two tone design caught my eye, as it matches the 5s backing. In particular, the gold/silver version caught my attention, because "gold is best."...