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TypeCentury displays iMessage read receipts and typing indicators anywhere in iOS

Anthony Bouchard ∙ June 11, 2020

Some of the most compelling features that set iMessage apart from traditional SMS in Apple’s Messages app are the creature comfort features that it provides such as read receipts, typing indicators, and the lack of character limits. Among those, read receipts and typing indicators are some of my favorites because they lets me know when the other person is typing so I can refrain from interrupting them mid-dialogue and when they've read my message so I can nag them about why they didn't respond to me later.

But as anyone with a jailbroken device will tell you, there are always ways that things can be improved. The much appreciated iMessage typing indicator is no exception to that rule, and that’s one of the primary reasons why I’m advocating for a newly released jailbreak tweak called TypeCentury by iOS developer captinc.

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Enjoy an improved iOS notification banner experience with Dayn

Anthony Bouchard ∙ May 24, 2020

I’ll be the first to say that I love how notification banners look on the iPhone in a post-iOS 13 era, but I also think there’s room for improvement in both the aesthetics and the functional implementation to make the user experience a bit better from anywhere in the operating system.

While perusing the New tab in my package manager over the weekend, I happened upon a new jailbreak tweak release dubbed Dayn by iOS developers Devvix and JannikCrack, which appears to offer some serious upgrades to the native notification system found in iOS 13. Curious as I was to better understand how it worked, I decided to give it a try.

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GamingNotification brings animated RGB effects to your iPhone’s notifications

Anthony Bouchard ∙ May 13, 2020

If you’re a PC gamer at heart and your entire desk is brimming with unicorn barf colored RGB accessories, then perhaps the one thing missing in your life is an iPhone decked out with the same colorful swag. Fortunately, that shortcoming can be solved with a newly released jailbreak tweak.

Enter GamingNotification, an add-on created by iOS developer Minazuki that brings configurable animated RGB borders to your iPhone’s incoming notification banners and Today widgets.

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How to disable COVID-19 exposure notification and logging on your iPhone

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated September 3, 2020

The COVID-19 exposure notification in iOS 13.5 informs you whether you may have contracted the coronavirus by coming into contact with someone who's been diagnosed with COVID-19. This secure, private contact-tracing technology works in tandem with apps from public health authority developers that are installed on your device. If you'd rather opt-out, however, follow along with our step-by-step tutorial that teaches you how to disable the COVID-19 exposure notification at the system level to stop exposure logging and contact-tracing via Bluetooth.

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Quart is a new notification interface that will make non-jailbreakers jealous

Anthony Bouchard ∙ May 3, 2020

When compared with other smartphone operating systems, there’s no question that iOS leaves a lot to be desired in the notification department. Fortunately, those with jailbroken handsets no longer have to settle with what Apple provides out of the box.

Quart is a newly released jailbreak tweak by iOS developer LaughingQuoll and designer timeloop that replaces the lackluster native notification system on your pwned iPhone with one that will get you riled up every time you receive a text message or any other sort of notification.

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DarkAlertPls makes all iPhone alerts respond to iOS 13’s dark mode

Anthony Bouchard ∙ April 29, 2020

Albeit rare, iOS sometimes displays alerts as opposed to banners. These alerts are designed to appear at the center of the display, usually with a prompt of some sort for the user to respond to.

Unfortunately, even if you’ve configured your iOS 13 handset for dark mode, some of these alerts may still come through as light instead of dark. This is a problem that iOS developer LaughingQuoll aims to fix with a newly released jailbreak tweak called DarkAlertPls.

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Blanca brings sexy leaf-shaped notifications and more to iOS

Anthony Bouchard ∙ April 28, 2020

Looking for a quick and easy way to upgrade your iPhone’s Notification Center experience? If so, then you’re in for a treat. Blanca is a newly released jailbreak tweak by iOS developer Phoenix Dev that lets users redesign the native Notification Center interface with custom aesthetics.

As depicted in the screenshot examples above, Blanca can redesign notification banners, Today widgets, and even the Now Playing media player. Furthermore, Blanca users will be able to choose how many preview lines appear in their notification banners and fine-tune the banner corner radii, among other things.

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Upgrade iOS’ dated notification system with dotto+

Anthony Bouchard ∙ April 8, 2020

iOS’ native notification system is overdue for a facelift, but there’s no telling when Apple might finally commit to such an overhaul. Fortunately, jailbreakers won’t need to wait thanks to the likes of a newly released and free jailbreak tweak dubbed dotto+ by iOS developers ConorTheDev and Mirac.

Just as the tweak’s name implies, dotto+ takes a dot-centric approach to iOS’ native notification system. In the screenshot examples above and below, you can see that dotto+ displays a small colored dot at the top-right of app icons on the Home screen when they have pending notification(s) awaiting your attention.

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How to use Apple Watch to get through your workday

Sandy Writtenhouse ∙ Updated June 29, 2023
Breathe App on Mans Apple Watch

You might not realize it, but if you wear an Apple Watch, that handy wearable can help you a lot throughout your workday. Sure, you might use it to check emails, view your appointments, and even answer calls if your iPhone isn’t nearby. But with some of the built-in apps and features, your Apple Watch can be a helpful tool for getting through a stressful day of work.

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