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: 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...

EarSkinz add a pop of color to your white EarPods [review and giveaway]

Jim Gresham ∙ Updated July 8, 2013

Yes, white headphones are a style of their own. Apple made lack of color famous with white headphones, starting with the iPod. Seeing someone parade down the street with a pair of slick white headphones indicated individuality and a seriousness for refined taste and class. White headphones previously noted a way to be different. Some may still try to make that argument, but with millions of iPhones sold every quarter, seeing a white pair of headphones is hardly unique.

EarSkinz is adding a flash of color to everyone's otherwise plain EarPods. The ES2's are designed to specifically hug the new Apple EarPod with form fitting fashion. Arguing the covers provide better comfort, fit, and sound, EarSkinz successfully received KickStarter funding to produce a full production line of their new pod covers.

I enjoyed using a pre-release pair for the past couple weeks and, inside, I take a closer look at a fairly simple accessory. As an added bonus, we are giving a pair of ES2's to 5 lucky readers...

10 great iOS 7 wallpapers for iPhone 5

Jim Gresham ∙ Updated August 17, 2013

With plenty of comments about the iOS 7 overhaul, beta testing is now in full force. Whether or not you are a fan of the new changes, they are coming, lurking in the summer months, waiting for a full reveal this fall with new iOS devices in tow.

Many beta testers have been hitting Twitter looking for and sharing iPhone wallpapers that are iOS 7-ready. AR7 even posted an iOS 7 theme for Winterboard users that are running iOS 6. In an effort to compile the effort, we rounded up some great wallpapers that look amazing on iOS 7. If you are a beta tester, fire them up today. If you are patiently waiting for the public release, start a wallpaper folder and save them for later...

Five cases to protect your iPhone at the beach

Jim Gresham ∙ Updated November 29, 2016

It was a pleasant time, gathered with family on the sandy East coast beach. There was a gentle breeze and a calming 80 degree forecast. Everything was going perfectly until I had the displeasure of dropping my naked iPhone on the beach. What a way to kill your afternoon.

Obviously, when Sebastien asked me to do a beach-friendly iPhone case roundup, I was certainly onboard with the idea. After spending the remainder of the afternoon making homemade ice cream and sucking the sand out of my iPhone's speakers, ports, and mute switch, I was cautiously excited to have removed all of the visible sand grains from my infected device. Nothing will stop your heart faster than dropping a $600 iPhone into the slushy beach sand, or swimming pool, or your favorite mixed drink, an oncoming wave, or everyone's favorite place to drop a phone, the toilet.

Inside, I highlight multiple waterproof options to keep your Apple product safe from the elements this summer, and year-round for that matter...

Celebrate WWDC with these gorgeous iOS 7 wallpapers

Jim Gresham ∙ June 7, 2013

If you follow the jailbreak community closely or happen to be an avid iDB reader, you are sure (pun intended) to have heard of Surenix. He is quite the well-renowned graphic artist, having worked on recently popular tweaks, such as Atom and MiniPlayer, and developing the Evasi0n logo for the Evad3rs jailbreak team.

Earlier today, we were able to see photographs of the newly hung banners at the Moscone Center in San Francisco for the upcoming WWDC conference. The graphics are simplistic and flat, which correlates nicely with rumors that iOS 7 will change after the crowning of Jony Ive as the new SVP responsible for both software and hardware enhancements.

After these banners were highlighted through the blogosphere, Surenix picked up the design and has released iOS device wallpapers for everyone to enjoy...

SolePower brings USB power to anyone that walks

Jim Gresham ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

Determined to provide renewable power for all USB powered devices, SolePower transfers walking energy to a wearable storage unit for on-demand charging. While away from AC outlets, charging becomes increasingly difficult, even when toting around large solar panels. Similarly, battery backup cases only provide a specific amount of renewed life for a smartphone. The team of young engineers with SolePower insists on carrying a charging station all the time, in a shoe!

Walking motion capacitors are not new to the gadget scene, but an interchangeable sole is the new attraction. Adding SolePower is simple, just pull out the existing shoe insert and replace with a new iPhone charging version. Once the conversion is complete, walk between 2.5 and 5 miles to fully charge an iPhone...

Satechi releases 7 port aluminum USB 3.0 hub that matches your Mac [giveaway]

Jim Gresham ∙ June 3, 2013

Satechi just released a new USB 3.0 hub for the Mac enthusiasts. Long have we waited for a quality USB port extender that would match the design and look of the brushed aluminum. The new 7 port hub is smooth and compact, offering ample high speed connections for your various devices. As a powered unit, it offers up to 5Gbps over the 3.0 connection and comes in either black or white options...

The Scosche Railkase adds aluminum to the bumper case genre

Jim Gresham ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

Bumper style cases are typically made with a silicone or TPU material. These rigid, yet jelly like materials are suitable for minor bumps and bruises but may not be so helpful for the rugged user. The RAILkase p5 by Scosche is a new case that combines bumper functionality with the protective framing of aluminum, and it just brought home a CES 2013 Design and Engineering award.

It is difficult to find metal bumper cases simply because of the nature of the bumper. A bumper case runs the rim of an iPhone, only providing protection on the sides and corners of your device. Thanks to the creative team at Scosche, the RAILkase utilizes a hinge and locking system to provide a nonbendable bumper option…

TodoMovies is the first app to utilize modern Motion Posters

Jim Gresham ∙ Updated February 13, 2018

I recently gave TodoMovies 2.0 the full review treatment and found it to be an amazing app for movie lovers. It is a perfect way to keep track of old movies, in theater movies, and upcoming movies while building your watch list for the road.

Adding to the excellence, the app recently posted a very hefty update, further building appeal. TodoMovies is now the first app to implement Motion Posters. "What is that," you are certainly asking yourself, at least I did. Follow me past the fold for a video preview...