Joe Rossignol

Joe Rossignol is a former iDB editor.

Five iOS 7 jailbreak tweaks to look at this weekend

Joe Rossignol ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

While much of the emphasis has been placed on the arrival of popular jailbreak tweaks such as BiteSMS and Zeppelin, a number of lesser-known iOS extensions have also been released or updated for iOS 7 in recent days. Before you get too excited, remember that these tweaks are incompatible with the iPhone 5s, iPad Air and second-generation iPad mini until a MobileSubstrate update arrives. But if you are still rocking an older iOS device, read ahead for a quick look at five tweaks to explore this weekend…

BiteSMS beta now available for iOS 7 [update]

Joe Rossignol ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

Good news for BiteSMS fans: an update to the popular jailbreak tweak for messaging has arrived a day earlier than anticipated. BiteSMS beta 8.0 for iOS 7 is now available on Cydia. One of the most popular alternative messaging solutions for iPhone users, biteSMS packs an impressive features list: quick reply, quick compose, scheduled messages, auto-forward, auto-retry, passcode lock, enhanced privacy, quick access to emoticons, signatures and more…

How to change the Cydia icon on iOS 7

Joe Rossignol ∙ December 27, 2013

Cydia was recently updated with a new user interface for iOS 7, but still has the same logo that dates back to the days of iPhoneOS 2.0. Thankfully, there is a rather simple method that can be followed to replace the current Cydia logo with one that has a more flat or modern design. Those interested can find step-by-step instructions ahead…

Saurik talks MobileSubstrate, 64-bit jailbreak tweaks and more

Joe Rossignol ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

The unexpected arrival of an iOS 7 jailbreak has been a welcomed touch to the holidays for most iPhone, iPad and iPod touch users, except for those with the latest devices. The all-new iPhone 5s, iPad Air and second-generation iPad mini, each powered by an Apple A7 chip, have faced compatibility issues with most popular jailbreak tweaks. Thankfully, that shouldn't be the case much longer…

Zeppelin updated to support iOS 7

Joe Rossignol ∙ December 26, 2013

iPhone users that wish to replace AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon or another carrier logo with a custom one will be happy to hear that Zeppelin has been updated to support iOS 7. The useful tweak can be enabled or disabled from a menu in the Settings app, without a respring required, and comes with over a dozen preinstalled logos to choose from. And that's just the tip of the iceberg…

BiteSMS beta 8.0 for iOS 7 is a work-in-progress

Joe Rossignol ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

While the wait continues for an updated version of MobileSubstrate, following the unexpected release of an iOS 7 jailbreak, the developers of biteSMS are moving ahead with an updated version of the popular jailbreak tweak for iOS 7. BiteSMS beta release 8.0 remains a work-in-progress, and should be seeded to the public in the coming days.

An official post on the biteSMS forums reads:

Android device activations unofficially surpass 1 billion mark

Joe Rossignol ∙ July 20, 2013

A few months ago, Google announced at its Google I/O developer conference that lifetime Android device activations had reached the 900 million mark. At the time, Google executive chairman Eric Schmidt also confirmed that those activations were occurring at a rate of 1.5 million devices per day, a number that Google CEO Larry Page echoed during the search company's second quarter earnings call on Thursday.

At that rate, there have been approximately 100,500,000 Android devices activated since the Google I/O keynote on May 15th, meaning that total activations should have exceeded the 1 billion plateau as of this weekend. An important caveat to remember, however, is that Android activations presumably fluctuate each day, meaning that these numbers are just approximate measures. There has been no official word yet from Google, but this is big news…

‘Orangered’ delivers Reddit push notifications to iOS devices

Joe Rossignol ∙ Updated May 16, 2018

Reddit has grown exponentially as a link-based community over the past few years, emerging as one of the de facto places for breaking news, funny images, IAMA question and answer sessions, and more. And memes -- lots and lots of memes. The surging popularity of the website can make staying on top of new posts, comments, and mentions increasingly challenging.

Looking to make the Reddit experience more manageable on iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch, developer Julian Weiss has released a new jailbreak tweak called Orangered. The tweak brings Reddit push notifications to iOS systemwide, including both the Lock screen and Home screen, for the following supported Reddit apps: Alien Blue, Karma, Upvote, iAlien, amrc, and Redditor…

Flipping Through the Pages on an iPad eBook, Just Like You Do on a Real Book

Joe Rossignol ∙ Updated January 24, 2016

Apple's recent release of iBooks 2 has truly revolutionized the textbook industry, but the multi-touch experience in iBooks could use some major improvements. As it stands, Apple's official eBook app is limited to one basic swiping motion between pages. The KAIST Institute of Information Technology Convergence's new patented multi-touch interface for eBooks, on the other hand, is quite the contrary.

The prototype has several new multi-touch gestures that allow for you to flip through pages, bookmark with your fingers, turn through multiple pages at once, write page numbers, and more. You have to watch the video demonstration for yourself...

Win an AviiQ Smart Case for your Freshly Jailbroken iPad 2

Joe Rossignol ∙ Updated December 25, 2017

iDownloadBlog is pleased to announce, in collaboration with Max Borges Agency, our giveaway of two AviiQ Smart Cases for the iPad 2. The high quality anodized aluminum case matches the look of your iPad 2 and works with or without Apple's official Smart Cover.

AviiQ's Smart Case is available in black, silver, green, blue, orange, pink, and red. While the case normally retails for $34.99, we're going to give you an opportunity to win one for absolutely free...

Apple Looking to Expand its Retail Stores to India

Joe Rossignol ∙ Updated June 20, 2014

Last year, Apple significantly increased its international retail presence by opening over thirty new stores in the fourth quarter alone. As of January 2012, the Cupertino-based company operates over 360 retail stores in twelve different countries.

And it doesn't look like Apple intends on slowing down anytime soon, as the iPhone maker looks to round off a baker's dozen by expanding its retail chain to a thirteenth country: India...

Apple Projected to Sell Over 48 Million iPads in 2012

Joe Rossignol ∙ Updated June 20, 2014

Apple has already sold more than 40 million iPads since the tablet was introduced in 2010, but may be on pace to more than double that amount by the end of 2012. According to analyst Shaw Wu for Sterne Agee, a brokerage firm, Apple is expected to sell at least 48 million iPads in 2012.

In a note to investors, Wu referred to this number as a "conservative estimate," which means that sales of the tablet could easily surpass the 50 million mark and perhaps go even higher before the year is over. And there's many reasons why...