You guys may have heard about AppBox jailbreak tweak that acts like a lockscreen launcher and overall a lock-screen enhancer. The tweak has just received a new update to support iOS 8 new jailbreak. AppBox 8 can launch apps directly from the Lock screen without entering a passcode. It also features plugins for certain apps to access shortcuts for composing new notes, accessing playlists, contacts, and more.
AppBox is a tweak that feels more like a grab bag or a potpourri of different tweaks more so than a focused standalone tweak. That’s because it contains so many different components. This ultimately means that you probably won’t take advantage of all that the tweak has to offer, but you’ll likely find something within it useful.
Once installing AppBox 8 on your iPhone, go to the tweak settings panel where you will find the preferences made up of three sections: General, Lock Sleep Timer, and Options. The General section is where you’ll be spending the majority of your time. It allows you to choose what apps appear on the Lock screen, establish auto-unlock options to launch apps without needing a passcode, and customize the way that app icons are displayed.
After you set up everything you desire you can now go and use AppBox on your iPhone’s lock screen. To do so, go to the Lock screen, and swipe from right to left. This will reveal the AppBox launcher. The app icons are arranged according to the way that you modify the apps per row setting in the preferences. There’s also options to change app opacity, size, apps per row while in landscape, and more.
If you don’t have a passcode established on your device, tapping on an app will simply launch the app. Otherwise, you’ll need to insert your passcode, or preferably, set up Auto-Unlock in AppBox’s preferences. By entering your passcode to enable Auto-Unlock, apps can launch immediately without necessitating the need for the passcode entry and needlessly delaying the launch of an app. Only that single app will be launched, and once you press the Home button, you’ll be taken back to the Lock screen. Obviously, Auto-Unlock can make your device less secure, so proceed with caution with regard to the apps that you enable for quick launching via AppBox.
One last interesting feature that I’d like to briefly talk about is the plugin feature. Plugins are basically secondary app views that you can access by using a tap and hold gesture on an app icon found in your AppBox. For example, by tapping and holding on the Notes app, a quick note entry field is revealed for jotting down quick notes. Tapping and holding on the stock Music app will reveal a quick playlist picker, and the list goes on.
AppBox 8 is available for $1.50 on Cydia’s BigBoss repo. Share your thoughts down below in the comment section.
