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‘FlagPaint’ changes banner notification colors on a per app basis

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated March 14, 2018

Cydia tends to go through phases as far as innovative jailbreak tweaks go. Sometimes there seems to be an abundance of new tweaks gracing the store every day, and other times it seems like the dry spells never end.

In my opinion, we're in the middle of one of those dry spells. That's not to say there aren't a few jailbreak tweaks here and there seeking to do something innovative, it just means that such releases seem to be few and far between.

FlagPaint falls firmly in the category of innovative. Rather that duplicate functionality that's already available on Cydia, the developer of FlagPaint sought out to do something original. Take a look inside for the details...

jLauncher replaces the stock App Switcher with something better

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 10, 2018

Are you looking for something to spice up the iPhone's stock App Switcher? If so, then look no further than jLauncher, a new jailbreak tweak available on Cydia that aims to outright replace the App Switcher.

Unlike the stock App Switcher, jLauncher features all options on a single page. That means that items like music controls, recently used apps, brightness, and volume controls are all contained on the same page.

Check out this house outfitted with $80k in iPad-controlled gear

Cody Lee ∙ Updated December 20, 2017

Home automation has been around for decades. But with the recent advent of the smartphone and the tablet, the market has started to evolve much more quickly. Just look at products like the Nest Learning Thermostat and the Philips Hue.

It seems like you can control pretty much anything with your smartphone or tablet these days, and we've come across a cool example of that. Check out this video of a house that has $80 grand of iPad-controlled home automation equipment...

Internal Apple video gives insight into its retail prowess

Cody Lee ∙ November 26, 2012

Apple launched its first retail store(s) on May 19, 2001. It was the fruition of Steve Jobs' vision to improve Mac sales by giving consumers a top-notch shopping experience. Several analysts, of course, predicted the failure of the chain.

But as we all know, Jobs proved everyone wrong. Apple Stores have since exploded, and there are now close to 400 of them around the world, making more money per square foot than high-end jewelry stores. And here's how they did it...

Making the case for going case-less

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 10, 2018

I decided to go completely case-less. Most of you guys probably think I already do that, since I never have a case on my devices when I'm filming a new video.

But that, as it turns out, hasn't been so. I used to only keep my iPhone nude for aesthetic purposes on film. As soon as I hit the shutter release on my camera to stop filming, back in the case she went.

Then I read something that changed my perspective on things. After seeing this post by John Gruber, I started thinking. Why are we so obsessed with encapsulating our devices in protective covering? Aren't we ridding ourselves of the pleasure of using it as it was intended and designed to be used?

I decided to embark on an experiment. One that could prove costly, but at the same time provide me with a since of liberation. I was going to go case-less...

Tales of a connected home: how iOS is changing modern living

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated May 16, 2018

I'm a huge proponent of using technology to make my life easier, especially around the home. Technology for the home has been around for quite some time in the form of home automation systems, lighting, and so forth. Unfortunately, such systems have been extremely pricey in the past, or overly confusing to setup and maintain.

Enter the smartphone.

Smartphones, and in particular the iPhone, have served as a great equalizer over the past few years. I can do things with my phone that I never would have dreamed of just a few years ago, and it gets better with each passing year.

Inside, I'll reflect on some of the cool things that I've been able to accomplish lately with my iPhone, along with videos and links to articles that cover the subjects more in-depth. Have a look...

5 excellent jailbreak tweaks to improve search on iOS

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 10, 2018

Searching is something we do day in and day out. It's an integral part of the desktop experience, so it only makes sense that it's something we do often on mobile devices as well.

Searching on the iPhone, while adequate, has always left a little something to be desired when compared to competing operating systems like Android. It only makes sense, considering Android is the product of Google — the creator of the world's best and most popular search engine.

If you're jailbroken, however, you have many more choices when it comes to search on iOS. There are search improvements for Spotlight, voice search enhancements, Notification Center search options, and much, much, more. Jailbreaking is a great way to get more out of your device, and that's why we've taken the liberty to compile a list highlighting some of the best jailbreak tweaks for search...

Universal Video Downloader allows you to extract video from outside apps

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 10, 2018

Universal Video Downloader is a jailbreak tweak that allows you to extract video from any app. It's a tweak that makes it totally feasible to download an iTunes trailer, or other video content for offline use.

Obviously, as with any app of this nature, it is possible to use it for more unscrupulous means, but as we always do at iDB, we urge you to use the app like it was intended to be used — for legitimate purposes. Want to see how it works? Take a look inside as we take Universal Video Downloader for a spin.

Review: iZON Wi-Fi video monitor and its companion iOS app

Jim Gresham ∙ Updated March 19, 2019

Like the Lidless Eye of Sauron, iZON stares unblinkingly into your home, taking note of all within. Scary, right? Well, not exactly, as there are many uses for a Wi-Fi enabled video monitor in the home, office, or abroad. The iZON, pronounced "eyes-on," provides a single video feed across a wireless network that streams through the iZON server system, giving the user access to the feed anywhere in the world with your iOS device. If there is a need for you to be two places at once, the iZON can be your eyes and ears whether watching your newborn, crazy pet, or the front door...

The iPhone 5 Lightning Dock review

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 10, 2018

As most of you probably know by now, Apple has no plans to create a first party dock like it has for previous versions of the iPhone. That's unfortunate, since I rely on a dock for doing videos and such, and I know plenty of others miss it as well.

The only recourse us iPhone 5 owners have, is to opt for a third party product. One such product is The Lightning Dock, a dock comprised of a solid piece of aluminum, which can be ordered in one of four configurations.

After ordering my Lightning Dock back on October 5th, I finally received it in the mail yesterday via USPS. Needless to say, I was stoked to finally have a dock that could function with new Lightning enabled devices like the iPhone 5, iPod touch 5th gen, and even the iPad mini.

Take a look inside for our hands-on video walkthrough and review...

ActiSearch uses Activator gestures to search Cydia, Facebook, YouTube, and more

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

ActiSearch is a new jailbreak tweak that uses Activator Gestures as a means to invoke searches to some of your favorite websites and social platforms. You can choose to configure a single site to a single Activator gesture, or configure multiple activator gestures with multiple sites.

ActiSearch, as you may have guessed, is a simple to use jailbreak tweak that makes it easy to find what you're looking for if your desired site is included among the supported list of sites. Take a look at our video walkthrough for the details.

The SlingBox is worth a look for cable TV or satellite subscribers

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

I give up. Actually, I gave up. At least temporarily that is.

I tried to be a responsible cable cutter. I ditched cable TV years ago, but I've admittedly let it back into my life. I've been a Netflix advocate, a Hulu user, and I love my Apple TV. Still, I've failed.

I've used a Boxee Box. I've gone as far as to build a dedicated HTPC running Windows Media Center. Now If that doesn't tell you how far I went to kick cable TV out of my life permanently, I don't know what will.

How did this happen, you may ask? How did someone who fought tooth and nail to maintain their status as a permanent cable cutter let the "enemy" back into the household? One word. Sports.