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.

Bluelounge unlocks portable charging with Kii

Jim Gresham ∙ Updated September 30, 2013

In a recent turn of events, two companies released a keychain Lightning charger. You may remember, last week we ran a giveaway for an extremely similar product. However, if you read through the previous post, there were a few things the competition could do better.

Enter, Kii by Bluelounge. A clever pun, Kii is a keychain charger, which is produced both for Lightning and 30 pin options. This little guy is currently attached to my daily key ring and traveled with me for the past couple weeks. Offering a charge on a moment's notice, the Kii is the perfect companion not only for travel, but also daily use...

HalfPeeled releases Ruby app for easy Reddit viewing

Jim Gresham ∙ Updated January 23, 2018

For the Reddit fans out there looking for a slick way to interact with your feeds and threads, a new app will solve your woes. Until now, there were limited options in the App Store for easy Reddit enjoyment. Today Ruby hits the market, granting easy access to your favorite threads in a crisp package. Having been a beta tester for the app over previous weeks, I really like the UI and functionality.

This is not HalfPeeled's first time around the app development block. When it comes to apps, their innovation is starting to show. Published by Nate Chiger, a 2012 and 2013 WWDC Scholarship Recipient, Ruby is his newest offering and follows several other quality apps. Take a step inside for a quick run down of the nice features...

Audiofly headphones are your new favorite pair [review + giveaway]

Jim Gresham ∙ Updated November 30, 2016

Always on the hunt for the perfect pair of headphones, I spent a lot of time at CES digging around with audio companies that made iPhone compatible options. I noticed Audiofly received a CES 2013 Design and Engineering honor and made it a point to stop by the booth. That visit may have been my best choice of the whole show.

Before going any further, I will put my disclaimer in the introduction. These are probably the best earbuds I have ever had the pleasure of using, or reviewing. To prevent everyone from thinking I am getting paid by Audiofly for this review, these are my honest and open opinions, as always. I receive no compensation from the company for my posts, merely the media sample. If you are further concerned, I suggest you read our official review disclaimer.

Moving along, these are extremely impressive earbuds. I am shocked at their balance, tone, clarity and high profile design. Take a step inside for a gushing review of the AF78's by Audiofly. Most importantly, I present to you one of the best giveaways on iDB. To help one of you experience the incredible sound, I worked with the company to provide a giveaway model of the AF78's. Headphone connoisseurs rejoice...

Carved improves handmade wooden case line for iPhone

Jim Gresham ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

iPhone cases vary from waterproof to minimal skins and all variations in between. Interestingly, there are several options that combine the beauty of nature, in stark contrast to the cold feel of anodized aluminum and glass. Carved is one of those companies that pours completely customized and natural elements into each case.

Utilizing wood, Carved hand selects each piece of grained material in their Indiana shop. The whole process takes place in their shop, including the CNC machining and even the shipping. If you want your product double checked by hand, Carved may be your new favorite case company, assuming you love wood...

Wallpapers of the Week: iOS 7 Photo app icon-inspired wallpapers

Jim Gresham ∙ Updated October 12, 2018

The second in a new series, we are answering the call of our dedicated iDB readers. The "Wallpapers of the Week" section is posting, you guessed it, every week to satiate the thirst for fresh wallpapers on a regular basis. We had a great response to last week's post, which featured photographer @Solefield.

To re-explain, the section will feature two images per week for a specific iOS device. Finding quality images that are formatted for all devices is quite rare and we would rather provide two excellent choices each week than cram in some less desirable options...

Seagate Central: a great storage solution for your Connected Home

Jim Gresham ∙ Updated March 19, 2019

Always moving forward, Seagate continues to reinvent current solutions. This time, Seagate took a hard look at their previous NAS drive, the GoFlex Home, and decided it left a few things to be desired. In an effort to impress, Seagate tore down the Home and seemingly started from scratch on the Central.

Overall, I am fairly impressed with Seagate's changes to the new hardware and corresponding software, online dashboard, and revamped media app. After speaking with the engineers behind the drive at CES, there appears to be a more prevalent focus on user experience with the new 2013 product line, of which I previously reviewed the Wireless Plus. Leading the charge for a user friendly product, this previously complicated network drive enables even novice users to go from box to operational in less than ten minutes...

Saidoka dock cradles iPhone 5 at the perfect angle

Jim Gresham ∙ Updated September 30, 2013

Review fans will be quick to recognize the Bluelounge company name as an accessory manufacturer we tend to frequently cover on iDB. Regularity is due to the creative products Bluelounge designs and produces on a continuing basis. The company is an international design studio that creates relevant and well detailed accessories for Apple products. The creative director, Dominic Symons, believes Bluelounge products should solve a problem, look great, and be well built.

To that end, today, Bluelounge announces the Saidoka desktop iPhone companion that is "docked by your side." The clever and streamlined design utilizes a minimal footprint and is an officially licensed MFI dock with a Lightning charging pin assembly built into the cradle. Thanks to a friend at the company, I enjoyed playing with the dock before its public release...

Keep your Lightning cable handy with Nomad [review and giveaway]

Jim Gresham ∙ Updated October 12, 2018

Running out of the house with an empty iPhone battery can be catastrophic. We have all been there, stuck in the office, out of town, on a long car ride, when the low battery indicator pops up begging for more juice. Despite many 21st century successes, smartphone batteries still weigh us down. Unfortunately, this causes me to keep a Lightning cable near my nightstand, at the iMac, around the office, and in my car.

To prevent such problems, Kero developed the Nomad cable. Cleverly designed as a keychain, Nomad is a 3", fully Apple certified lifesaver. The seemingly simplistic resolution to an everyday problem prevents charging headaches...

Wallpapers of the Week: beautiful naturescapes by Solefield

Jim Gresham ∙ Updated July 27, 2013

Wallpapers are of great interest to our readership. We came to this conclusion after posting several wallpaper articles over the past few months, including the wildly popular Evasi0n walls I created for the jailbreak launch. You, the readers, have contacted us through various channels asking for a specific and reoccurring section of iDB that will feature wallpapers for all iOS devices.

This post is a first in a weekly series, which is in direct response to those correspondences and, as the curator, I hope you enjoy this new feature. Being the first dedicated post, I will levy some expectations and concerns...

AL13 iPhone case adds elemental style and protection

Jim Gresham ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

Aluminum is ubiquitous with Apple products, and to emphasize that association, case manufacturer "M" released a new iPhone bumper case simply named "AL13." For the less science savvy folk, Aluminum, abbreviated "AL" is atomic number 13. Now, with a brief periodic table lesson out of the way, what makes this case special in relation to other similar cases?

Most notably, the design is extremely lightweight: a mere 14 grams. A slick looking, lightweight, and stylish aluminum case is not always easy to find. The goal of M's entrepreneurs Lester Mapp and Jeremy Foster was to create the perfect aluminum case but provide the final product at a price point well below competition. Inside I take a look at their newest creation and determine if their goal is met...

Add tactile feedback to your iPad using the Fling joystick

Jim Gresham ∙ Updated January 23, 2018

A child of the console revolution, there is nothing better than tactile feedback when gaming. None of these new age children know the feeling of a Game Boy D-Pad. Instead they are stuck with slick screened iPod touches, where the most tactile feedback they will feel is the orange peel rubberized drag of a ZAGG invisibleSHIELD. Don't get me wrong, I am a fan of iOS gaming, but there is just something more than nostalgic about tactile feedback.

Some day, not in the near future, Apple will finally include haptic feedback in their screens courtesy of a Senseg-like interaction between the screen and electrons on the finger. However, until then, we are stuck. In an effort to match the desires of similar tactile fans, Ten One Design provides the Fling analogue joystick for iOS devices...

Turtle Shell, a go-anywhere Bluetooth boombox

Jim Gresham ∙ Updated January 2, 2017

True to its name, the Turtle Shell is weather resistant and can take a beating. Not all Bluetooth speakers can say the same. Designed by Outdoor Technology, the dust and shock proof unit is also water-resistant for those nights by the pool or occasional rainstorm.

Producing "Stuff you probably want" is the pride and driving mantra for this group of easy going devs. The pyramid triangular design and bold colors give Turtle Shell a unique design that is modern and appealing. When using it in the office, several passersby stopped just to comment on the aesthetic and one of my office mates even took it home for a party. But, according to Outdoor Tech, inside is the last place you should be using their wireless boombox...