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How to get iDownloadBlog headlines in Notification Center or Control Center

Jeff Benjamin ∙ March 13, 2014

If you're an avid iDB reader, and let's face it—you should be—then I suggest you check out two recently released jailbreak tweaks that allow you to add our headlines to Control Center or Notification Center in iOS 7. Aptly entitled iDownloadBlog for Control Center and iDownloadBlog for Notification Center, these new jailbreak tweaks make it easy to stay up to date with all of the latest Apple news.

We've taken both tweaks for a spin on video, and while we weren't blown away by the presentation, we did find them to be pretty handy additions for iDB fiends. Have a look inside as we step through the features.

PhotoAlbums+ for iOS 7: move, secure, and share photos more efficiently

Jeff Benjamin ∙ March 13, 2014

I have to be honest with you and state that for whatever reason, I've never been a big fan of PhotoAlbums+. I've never been big on taking photos with my iPhone, and I certainly don't take photos that I care about hiding from others. That being said, PhotoAlbums+ contains features that jailbreakers should definitely be aware of—features that may help your workflow when it comes to photo management on iOS.

The iOS 7 compatible version of PhotoAlbums+ just recently touched down for both the iPhone and the iPad. Check past the break as we go hands-on in our video walkthrough...

How to get the iOS 7.1 calendar event list view on iOS 7.0

Jeff Benjamin ∙ March 13, 2014

Developer Ryan Petrich has released a new jailbreak app to his beta repo that allows jailbroken users to experience the new iOS 7.1 calendar on lesser firmware.

Entitled Gregorian, this standalone jailbreak app is a great compromise for those who wish to remain on jailbroken firmware, but want to experience some of the cool new features introduced with Apple's recent iOS 7.1 release. Check inside for all of the details.

ProWidgets: a groundbreaking widget suite with multitasking features

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 16, 2018

Cydia has been the originating point for lots of groundbreaking ideas over the years. Copy and paste originated here, card-based app switchers began here as well. And let's not forget Notification Center and Control Center — each had its roots firmly planted in Cydia before debuting in stock iOS.

It goes without saying that Apple has been keen on seeing many of the developments unfold by some of the brilliant minds that make up the jailbreak community. It's even hired ones because of the work they've done with jailbreak apps and tweaks, and iOS hacking in general.

Today, we're happy to reveal the next big blockbuster tweak for jailbroken iPhones and iPads. Hopefully, it will help generate ideas for Apple's next big feature in iOS. Today, we'd like to introduce to you a brand new upcoming tweak called ProWidgets. We've got the very first exclusive hands-on coverage of ProWidgets, and we think you'll agree with us when we say it's one of the best looking jailbreak tweaks we've seen in some time...

Polus is now available on Cydia

Jeff Benjamin ∙ March 11, 2014

Polus—the brand new Control Center QuickLaunch tweak for iOS 7—is available right now on Cydia to download. The tweak, which we covered extensively a few weeks ago, allows you to customize various aspects of the QuickLaunch shortcuts appearing in Control Center, including the amount of shortcuts, size, and shape.

You can even assign Activator actions to each QuickLaunch shortcut, including a single tap and a tap-and-hold gesture. This allows you to do interesting things like assign a tap-and-hold gesture to the Twitter app shortcut in order to launch the compose-new-Tweet sheet. When it comes to Polus your only limit is your imagination. Step inside to review our full video walkthrough of the tweak in action.

Hands-on with the Hipjot keyboard beta for Cydia – try it now

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated January 23, 2018

If you've been keeping your ear to the street as of late, you're well aware of the Nintype/Hipjot keyboard tweak that's currently in development for Cydia. Unlike most Cydia releases, the Hipjot keyboard implementation is being worked on by the developer of the App Store version—Jormy Games—so you can expect a release that's about as faithful as possible to the developer's original vision.

Comparable to keyboard technology like Swype, Hipjot adds a keyboard that largely departs from Apple's stock iOS keyboard. It allows you to use swiping gestures to go from one character to the next in order to build full words, sentences, and paragraphs. The unique text entry method allows its users to type much faster than is possible on a standard iOS keyboard, with some users reaching upwards of 70-90 words per minute without breaking much of a sweat.

I've had the chance to go hands-on with the Cydia version of the keyboard, and I can tell you that it makes typing much faster. Being able to use Hipjot with stock iOS apps, and 3rd-party apps makes typing a breeze. Inside we've created a preview video of the beta build so that you can see how the keyboard works in action with stock applications.

Rovio teases yet another new Angry Birds game

Cody Lee ∙ March 11, 2014

It hasn't even been a month yet since Rovio unveiled its new game 'Angry Birds Stella,' and the studio has already begun to tease a new title for its hit franchise. A 30-second clip showing a bird wearing a suit of armor popped up on Rovio's YouTube channel over the weekend.

The trailer instructs users to prepare for the most 'epic soft launch ever,' suggesting that the new game will be launching in the near future. It also tells us that the game will be arriving in Australia and Canada first, with other countries to follow shortly after. View the clip below...

TwitkaFly brings Twitter quick reply and quick compose to iOS 7

Jeff Benjamin ∙ March 10, 2014

If you've been around the jailbreak scene for any considerable amount of time, then you probably recognize the name TwitkaFly. It's a jailbreak tweak that's been around since the iOS 4 days, and it allows you to use quick reply and quick compose features with Twitter.

TwitkaFly was just recently updated for iOS 7, and it brings with it a fresh coat of paint and compatibility with Apple's latest OS release. As you'll see from our video walkthrough, TwitkaFly isn't perfect, but it's a tweak that you should definitely consider if you're a big time user of the official Twitter app or Tweetbot

New concept takes realistic approach in visualizing next iPhone

Cody Lee ∙ March 10, 2014

In a world where iPhone concepts typically feature radical case designs and edge-to-edge displays, Sam Beckett's new 'iPhone Air' concept stands out. It's not flashy, it's not paper-thin, it's just an honest attempt to visualize what Apple's next smartphone could look like.

The handset bears an obvious resemblance to previous iPhones, but the classic design still looks great stretched out across the larger body. In line with recent rumors, Beckett has given his concept a 4.7-inch display with a resolution of 1920x1080, and a beefy ppi of 468...

Asphaleia: a stylish new Touch ID jailbreak tweak

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 16, 2018

There's no shortage of Touch ID enabled security tweaks for iOS 7. There's AppLocker, BioProtect, and my favorite, BioLockdown from Ryan Petrich. So the question is, do we need another entry into what has become an increasingly crowded market? If the team behind the release is a3tweaks, then the answer to that question is an emphatic yes.

Unlike the majority of the other releases in the a3tweaks' repertoire, Asphaleia is extremely deep with tons of options. Sentry, the tweak's designer, isn't known for throwing a bunch of unnecessary features into his work with no purpose in mind. Instead, he reasoned that a security tweak like this made it necessary to have enough options to a). keep it secure, and b). give users the options that they need. It's a strategy that, for the most part at least, has paid off reasonably well.

If you're looking for an alternative to any of the aforementioned security tweaks—AppLocker, BioProtect, or BioLockdown—then Asphaleia is a release you should definitely check for upon its impending launch. Have a look at our full 10+ minute video walkthrough, as we break down all that the highly anticipated release has to offer.

Video of Tim Cook’s meeting with Israeli PM offers brief look inside Apple HQ

Cody Lee ∙ March 7, 2014

Earlier this week we noted that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would be touring the United States for a few days, and that one of his planned stops in the country would be at Apple's Cupertino, CA campus for a luncheon with Tim Cook.

Well that meeting took place on Wednesday, as evidenced by a newly uploaded video clip. It's not known exactly what the pair discussed, but the video itself is rather interesting as it offers a brief look inside the walls of Apple's usually-secret headquarters...

Ayeris jailbreak theme released for iPad

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 16, 2018

Ayeris—the follow up jailbreak theme from Ayecon creator, Surenix, is now available for jailbroken iPad users. The theme, which was initially released for the iPhone last month, brings a subtle yet refreshing refinement to the look and feel of stock iOS 7.

If you've already purchased Ayeris for the iPhone, then the iPad version is only $0.99. Check inside for additional details.