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.

HiRise: iPhone’s new throne pedestal by Twelve South

Jim Gresham ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

A couple weeks ago, we highlighted the launch of Twelve South's newest accessory, the HiRise for iPhone 5 and iPad mini. I was able to finally get my hands on one and can report the excitement is worth the hype. For those new to the Twelve South scene, the company is a premium and Apple exclusive accessory maker, made famous for simple and elegant products like the iPhone SurfacePad, BookBook case, and BookArc.

Humbly setting a company goal to launch 12 Mac accessories each year, each new item is focused on design and function. Often, the elegance and intricacies of Twelve South products are found in the smallest of details, which often make the user experience even more enjoyable.

The HiRise for iPhone is no exception to the quality build and functional design of the product line. The HiRise for iMac or for MacBook Pro are popular items and the ported design easily conforms to iPhone 5 and iPad mini. With a small footprint, the newest HiRise is an excellent desktop companion...

Wallpapers of the Week: blue gradients with tasteful grunge

Jim Gresham ∙ Updated January 29, 2017

Week eight of our newly popular Wallpapers of the Week section keeps things fresh. Last week, we featured a Mavericks redesign and another image, Dark Sky. In an overwhelming response, our readers left more then 45 comments on the post and openly shared their favorite wallpapers in the Disqus feed below the article. We really love how much interest there is in the weekly installment of new walls.

Thanks to iOS 7's transparent and layered approach to the UI, walls will affect the overall appearance, mood, and feel of your iOS devices in ways not possible in a Forstall hampered environment. Even more interesting is the broad range of colored iPhone 5C's hitting the market sometime after Apple's September 10th event. We will all be scouring the internet to get a fully compliant color set of walls to match the shiny new devices. Inside we have a great solution for the baby blue iPhone C fans...

Wallpapers of the Week: Mavericks redesign and Dark Sky

Jim Gresham ∙ Updated October 12, 2018

Running through week seven with the Wallpapers of the Week section, I continue to enjoy putting together these posts for our readers. Looking at the submissions and cruising around looking for more content is, easily, one of the most fun aspects of writing for iDB.

We hope you are enjoying the posts as much as we do. It is a reader driven post series and today's walls are no different. Inside you will find full device resolution versions of two walls, perfect for the translucent design of iOS 7. As you now know, we are in beta 6 and hoping to see a GM release around the rumored September 10 iPhone announcement. Take a look inside for the downloads...

Old school gaming meets iPhone case

Jim Gresham ∙ August 17, 2013

When I think of an iPhone case, I primarily worry about protection, looks, construction material, and practicality. Typically, these would be the standards by which I grade a case for review, after using them for about a week's time. Very rarely, if ever, do I worry about the level of fun my iPhone case can produce.

Call me a cynic, maybe a realist, but iPhone cases and fun do not typically mix. Sure, there are really cool and awesome cases out there that may invoke some sort of childish excitement by the user. However, after running across the Retro Game Case lineup by Pure Gear, having fun may just be the new factor for favorite cases...

Wallpapers of the Week: vivid fresh retina fruit

Jim Gresham ∙ Updated February 6, 2017

It is starting to become a tradition at this point instead of a new post series. We are celebrating six weeks of Wallpapers of the Week and, as you guessed it, we are still going strong with submissions coming in each week.

I read through all of the comments each week and try to appease different suggestions moving forward. Some people still comment about the lack of a specific resolution. Listen up, not all artists create wallpapers for each device. We are at their mercy. Often, it is only possible to find a quality image for one device. However, this week we are in luck, again.

Thanks to Marie Sturges, the line up this weekend includes stunning photograph wallpapers for iPhone, iPad, and desktop...

iPad mini MultiStand: hang it up or take it out

Jim Gresham ∙ August 5, 2013

I previously covered two ProClip USA dashboard accessories for iPhone 5 and iPad mini, a little more than a month back. These two mounts were excellent for my vehicle and I use the iPhone mount daily on my morning and evening commute. Consequently, my friends at ProClip sent over one of their newest devices.

There are many stands, docks, and cases in the iDownloadBlog review category, but none of them operate quite like the ProClip USA iPad mini MultiStand. Using the same production process, ProClip designed a stand for iPad mini that not only rests easily on a desktop, but also mounts on a wall, workbench, or elevated surface. The case versatility is optimal for users looking for a semi permanent and portable option with a ruggedized design...

Wallpapers of the Week: flat pastels honoring Steve Jobs

Jim Gresham ∙ August 4, 2013

Round five on the Wallpapers of the Week section and we are loving the submissions from our fan base. The response is excellent and we are happy to keep fulfilling the readers' requests for more. Thanks to you, we will be keeping the section as long as we keep finding amazing wallpapers.

With the upcoming iPhone 5S and 5C, including the potential for a retina iPad mini, there may be big changes with the resolutions of our line up. Until then we will be providing two wallpapers for at least one device. Many of you ask, why not include all resolutions each week. The answer, many artists only create wallpapers for one device. However, whenever we happen to run across an excellent wallpaper with full resolutions, we are happy to include them.

This is one of those weeks. Thanks to @Frenchitouch, the line up includes a beautiful array of pastel colors with the unofficial Steve Job's tribute logo. And for the full device thirsty readers, Frenchitouch provides all colors for iPhone 5, 4/S, iPad retina and desktop resolutions...

Incipio Atlas review: a waterproof case backed by a warranty

Jim Gresham ∙ Updated January 27, 2019

Last month I featured five cases to protect your iPhone at the beach. Seeing the article, Incipio noticed I selected their ATLAS case as one of the current beach worthy options and sent me one to play with more closely. After receiving the case in the mail a few weeks ago, I have been toting around the water, dust, and shock proof case on my iPhone 5. The case is proving quite useful.

This is the first of Incipio's attempts to produce a waterproof case. However, even though new to the market, Incipio boasts a water damage warranty with the purchase of ATLAS. The company provides an easy product registration app to help you through the process. This confident move is an impressive customer service guarantee not all competitors are offering.

The fanciful, well-built packaging opens to reveal a solidly constructed case, complete with an installation guide to make sure everything is air tight...

CaptCase: a cleverly crafted iPhone folio case and card holder

Jim Gresham ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

I have tested my fair share of folio style or wallet type cases for all iOS devices. Each has its own eccentricities and the CaptCase for iPhone 5 is no different. With a mission to utilize simplicity of design to provide a beautiful and functional product, the company strives to create accessories that "enhance the use of your smartphone, without getting in the way."

There is one excellent feature of the CaptCase that proves their point. This is the only folio style iPhone case I reviewed with a cutaway in the front panel to allow phone calls. Truly, an excellent feature with functionality at the fore. Many others must agree, as CaptCase easily reached its Kickstarter goal..

RunPee app keeps you regular at the movies

Jim Gresham ∙ Updated December 4, 2013

We are in the prime time of summer blockbuster movie season. As we head into the deep of summer, many more movies are headed our way. The worst part about going to the theater is high ticket prices. At a solid $10+ per ticket, make sure you see every important minute of the story, because missing anything is a costly and unfortunate mistake.

The trouble comes when you drank too much of that giant Coke they upsold for $.50 extra to get the grande two-handed version with bottomless refills, that you never really get anyway. In fact, you are using two straws just to make sure you drink it all before the ice waters down the flavor. After watching a solid 15 minutes of previews, you get a sinking feeling. Yes, that's it. Your giant Coke is working its way through your system. Quickly checking your watch, you realize there are at least two hours between you, the movie, and the bathroom.

The sounds of waterfalls and rivers in the last trailer make it difficult to wait, but the movie might start before you can run to the bathroom and back. Rest assured, because you downloaded RunPee before heading to the movies and it's going to tell you when you can head to the john and relieve yourself...

Wallpapers of the Week: pastel purity perfect for iOS 7

Jim Gresham ∙ Updated September 26, 2016

As we are now posting the fourth wallpaper article in the new Wallpapers of the Week, I dare continue to proclaim it is a new post. One month in, we are going strong with the series, which has become a popular weekly installment on the site. Thanks to those of you that are participating by sending over your suggestions and personal work.

If you will allow, another brief explanation of the posts. I am curating two wallpapers each week for iOS devices. Many of you have questioned why we cannot provide multiple versions of the wallpapers we are posting. The easy answer, artists do not necessarily create multiple versions of their graphics. Our goal is to provide you with at least two options each week. If the artists provide multiple versions, rest assured, they will be available in the post and I'm certain you will enjoy this week's additions...

Wallpapers of the Week: flat toned and brilliant wallpapers

Jim Gresham ∙ Updated October 12, 2018

Third in the still new series on iDownloadBlog, many of our readers were asking for a section including wallpapers. It is sometimes difficult to find quality wallpapers on a regular basis and to assist you with fresh options, the "Wallpapers of the Week" section is now a running series on the site.

With three section posts behind us, I will take this last opportunity to give a brief explanation of the section and help set expectations for future posts. This weekly wallpaper section aims to provide two excellent options for your iOS device each week. I found, trying to locate 5 to 10 excellent wallpapers is difficult. We only want to provide you with quality selections, over quantity. Sometimes the wallpapers posted will come in various versions, but often artists only produce their design for one device. However, whenever possible, all versions will be linked. For example, today we are featuring artist AR7, a talented graphic artist hailing from Italy...