Widget

How to add a respring widget to ProWidgets

EasySpring for ProWidgets is one of the first, if not the first, add-ons for the ProWidgets jailbreak tweak. As you might have heard, I'm a pretty big fan of ProWidgets, not only due to its great design and functionality, but also due to the potential it has for third-party developers.

Although this initial add-on isn't very exciting, it does show off how easy it is for developers to create good looking widgets. Have a glance past the break as we showcase to you EasySpring—the add-on that allows you to have your own custom respring widget.

Review: ProWidgets

One of the most highly anticipated jailbreak tweaks to surface in some time has been released on Cydia. I'm, of course, referring to ProWidgets—a brand new jailbreak tweak that we previewed extensively last week. To celebrate its release, we're bringing you our hands-on review.

ProWidgets is a release that we discussed in-depth on today's episode of Let's Talk Jailbreak as well. Be sure to have a listen to hear Sebastien, Cody's, and I talk about the pluses and minuses of the tweak.

Without further ado, step inside to read our take on the final version of ProWidgets. We'll show you what makes the tweak so compelling, and why the future is even more exciting.

How to add quick compose widgets to Control Center

Compose—the jailbreak tweak that allows you to add quick compose widgets to iOS—has been updated for iOS 7. In prior versions of the tweak, the quick compose widgets appeared in Notification Center, but with iOS 7, the compose widgets have been relocated to Control Center.

The iOS 7 version of Compose features a bevy of quick compose shortcuts for apps like Tweetbot, BBM, WhatsApp, and more. It's a great tweak for quickly accessing the composition assets for many of your favorite App Store apps. To catch a glimpse of how Compose works on iOS 7, take a look at our video walkthrough past the break.

ProWidgets: a groundbreaking widget suite with multitasking features

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...

How to add ‘TypographyTime’ to Notification Center

If you're a fan of the legendary TypographyTime lock screen add-on for LockInfo, then perhaps you'll be interested in adding a TypographyTime clone to Notification Center? That's the exact premise behind TypographyTime for Notification Center, a jailbreak widget that adds a stylized clock to iOS' pull down information panel.

We've taken some, ahem, time to go hands-on with the widget. Check inside for the full video walkthrough showcasing all of the pertinent details...

Add a standalone calendar widget to Notification Center with ‘CalendarX’

CalendarX is a recently released jailbreak tweak that serves as a widget for Notification Center. It's a very interesting tweak that can be enabled by using the standard Notifications panel in the stock Settings app. The thing that makes CalendarX so unique is that it is a standalone self contained calendar app that doesn't rely on any outside functionality. In fact, none of the calendars or events that you setup within CalendarX will be displayed in the stock Calendar app or vice versa. Again, think standalone here. Depending on your outlook, that could be perceived as either a positive or a negative. Have a look past the break as I go more in-depth with CalendarX on video.

Apple was right, widgets just ain’t cool

Without a doubt, one of the biggest differences between iOS and Android is its fundamental handling of information. Google decided to allow widgets onto a phone's Home screen so that, theoretically, users would have the information they need right at their fingertips. Apple, on the other hand, has doggedly stuck to its guns over the years, with iOS remaining a collection of app icons rather than live widgets.

Over the years there have been plenty of arguments amongst those in the tech community as to which was the best way to go. Android users will repeatedly point to widgets as one of the main reasons they prefer their phones over the iPhone or even one of the Windows Phone handsets. Sitting halfway between iOS and Android, Windows Phone features live tiles that offer up information from the phone's Home screen a la widgets, but that's just not enough for some. It's widgets or nothing, man, and that's the way it is.

But iOS users can have their cake and eat it. They can have widgets on their home screens just like Android users, whilst still having that iPhone they so love. But the real question is: should they? Even if they should, I'd argue that fewer people actually would than we might think...

Customize your Lock screen with widgets and more with LockHTML 2

Folks who are fans of the LockHTML jailbreak tweak will be happy to hear that version 2 is now available. The tweak, which is developed by Busche, hit Cydia last week with new code, new features and a number of improvements.

For those unfamiliar with LockHTML, it is (was?) a jailbreak utility that allows you to customize the appearance of your Lock screen with a clock-hider and themeable HTML widgets. And version 2.0 adds a host of new options... 

‘Tap to Widgets’ brings shortcuts for Notes, Reminders, and Calendar to Notification Center

Tap to Widgets is a jailbreak tweak, which brings Reminders, Notes, and Calendar shortcuts to iOS' Notification Center. Tap to Widgets allows you to easily add an item to any of these apps without having to fully open the app in question.

The tweak even lends the ability to add items to specific accounts, such as a different Calendar, or Reminders List. This is a beautifully designed tweak that functions just as you might imagine it might if Apple were behind it. Take a look inside as we walk you through each aspect of Tap to Widgets in our hands-on video.

Quickly snap photos from Notification Center with Kamera

Do you hate it when you're trying to take a picture, you load up the Camera app, and the wrong camera is active? In photography, every moment counts and the delay in fiddling with camera modes could cost you that perfect shot.

Kamera is a Notification Center shortcut for the native Camera overlay in iOS 5 and 6, allowing you to take pictures from anywhere. What makes Kamera special is it allows you to start the overlay with either the front or rear camera active, depending on the button pressed...

Concept video shows widgets the way Apple should implement them

If you've had an Android device in your hands before, you've likely noticed they usually come with widgets for just about anything. As a matter of fact, when I reviewed the Nexus 7 a few months ago, I noted that widgets were definitely one of the strong points of the tablet. Of course, jailbreakers are no strangers to widgets: Dashboard X is an example of how widgets can be implemented in a very tasteful way on iOS.

Visual and UI designer Max Rudberg recently took it upon himself to imagine another way widgets could work on iOS. The result is quite amazing, and in all honesty, I believe Apple should really take note of Rudberg's concept. Have a look for yourself...

Dashboard X 2.0 now available in Cydia

[tube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4MD6D0WGsE[/tube]

The major upgrade to Dashboard X that we previewed last week is now available in Cydia. Dashboard X 2.0 brings a whole slew of new features to the popular widget tool, including resizable widgets, and independent orientation for both landscape and portrait mode.

Even better is the fact that Dashboard X 2.0 is a free upgrade for existing users, and $1.99 for new users. Head over to Cydia's ModMyi repo to download it now, and be sure to let us know what you think about it in the comments section.