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.

iOS in the Car cannot come soon enough

Jim Gresham ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

I recently purchased a new top of the line 2013 Nissan Pathfinder and am very pleased with the family decision. Everything is exactly what my wife was looking for in a vehicle, sleek exterior, beautiful interior, mandatory leather seats, and room for future 2.2 kids and a Great Dane. The size, we felt, was a little lacking, but it stood up to its rivals with a bit of finesse.

We get our new, fresh smelling, SUV home and start playing with it in the driveway like two kids and a new toy on Christmas morning. But, we obviously are attracted to different things. My wife wanted to climb all over the back seats, adjust the driver seat, and set the memory locks for her key fob. I go straight for the dashboard entertainment center.

I took a fairly hard look at the infotainment center on our various test drives, but once I had my iPod classic freshly synced and plugged into the Pathfinder, I quickly grew upset. Below the fold is a personal reaction to the system in our new vehicle and a highlight of how things could be done in a more fluid way...

Kordl 2 prevents tangled earbud frustration

Jim Gresham ∙ Updated March 19, 2019

In a post earlier this year, I highlighted the original Kordl, which promised to tangle-proof earbuds. After my initial review, I found, quite surprisingly, the little thumbnail size of plastic works very well. One of the largest setbacks for the original Kordl was the attachment mechanism and how the earbud wires were held.

To enhance an already impressive design, J2 Product Development set out to make a better version and reinvent the proverbial wheel. Back in action and fresh off a 250% funding spree on Kickstarter, Kordl 2 is the new way to keep tangles to a minimum. Take a look below for a snapshot of the enhancements and a brief on the simple design...

Some iPhone event wallpapers that will brighten your day

Jim Gresham ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

Today, Apple made the official announcement for the iPhone event to be held on September 10. The event is expected to announce the much anticipated iPhone 5S, a colorful range of iPhone 5C's, and the updated iOS 7 operating system. Each time there is an official invitation, many skeptics try to predict what exactly is meant by every little piece of graphical evidence on the image. However, some people spend their time more creatively by creating wallpapers.

In a special mid-week wallpaper update, we are pleased to post copies of Bas van der Ploeg's originals, created exclusively for the September Apple event. If you are as excited as I am, take a look past the fold for the first chance to download full resolution originals...

Wallpapers of the week: purple and blue set the mood

Jim Gresham ∙ Updated April 13, 2018

Almost into double digits, Wallpapers of the Week is now moving into week nine with another great set of walls. The reason we are able to continually promote this section of iDB is because of excellent and talented readers like yourself. Every week, I receive submissions requesting to be featured on the site. After taking a look at the images, each week the best ones are cherry picked from the growing list of options.

As you well know, wallpapers in the translucent layer-based iOS 7 drastically change the UI. In a way never before imagined, the user wallpaper is now paramount to tweaking the mood of not only the Springboard, but also the subsequent menus and app interfaces. Today, we offer up two excellent walls for iPhone 5 by designer Maik Fischer...

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...