So I've had a jailbroken iPod Touch for a while and I use a Cydia app called Activator.
Activator allows the user to have custom hotkeys or gestures to get/do something quickly.
In my case I have the Volume Up button as a volume adjuster (press once) and as a "next track" command (short hold), the Volume Down button as a volume adjuster (press once) and a "previous track" command (short hold). If I want to "play/pause" my music, I have Activator allow that action set to a press of both the Volume Up and Volume Down buttons at the same time.
All of these commands can work whether the screen is on or off and whether you're in another app or not (acting as background process/service). I find it to be quite convenient since I no longer have to wake it up from display sleep mode, double press the Home button, and then touch the screen to play/pause/next track/prev track/volume control.
Video of Activator in action:
Video of Activator settings:
If you were wondering, the music I play in the videos is from Deems Tsutakawa's "Deems Greatest Hits" album. He's a local piano/jazz player in the Seattle, Washington area.
Quick introduction of how to jailbreak (iPod Touch mostly since I have the most experience with it):
ALL VERSIONS (INCLUDING iPHONE):
1. Backup your data on your iPod Touch (via iTunes or another program) just in case something goes wrong
2. Download and install the program called TinyUmbrella (this allows you to use iTunes to backup your current firmware, via a "SHSH" signature, even if you upgrade to a higher iOS version. For example, if you upgrade to a higher iOS version and you don't like it, the TinyUmbrella backup allows you to restore to an older iOS version; I wish I had done this step before I upgraded to iOS 4.0 on my iPod Touch 2G MC, so don't forget to do this step if you want to take extra precautions).
iPod Touch 2G MC (yes the model that has the hardest time jailbreaking):
3. Download and install program Greenpois0n RC 6.1 for Mac OS or Windows (this program allows you to jailbreak your iPod Touch and automatically installs the Cydia app store installer)
4. Plug in your iPod Touch to your computer
5. Turn off your iPod Touch (while still plugged in your computer)
6. Open Greenpois0n and follow the on-screen directions
7. Wait until Greenpois0n finishes jailbreaking your device
8. Back on your iPod Touch, tap the "Installer" app and install the Cydia app (the iPod Touch will restart the Springboard app automatically)
9. You now have Cydia installed on your iPod Touch
10. Open up Cydia, get the settings configured, update it (requires Wi-Fi or internet connection), restart your iPod Touch (should be done automatically after you configure your settings)
11. Open up Cydia once more, go to the "Search" tab at the bottom of the screen, search for "Activator"
12. Install "Activator" and you'll be able to access it on your iPod Touch's "Settings" app
iPod Touch 3G, 4G (PwnageTool works for iPhone 3G, 3GS, 4, iPad, Apple TV 2G):
3. Download and install the program redsn0w 0.9.6rc19 (Mac OS, Linux, Windows) or PwnageTool 4.3.3.1 (Mac OS)
4. Download (or find on your computer) the IPSW file for your iPod Touch's current firmware (this is needed for both redsn0w and PwnageTool so that they can configure your iDevice correctly).
5. Plug in your iPod Touch to your computer
6. Turn off your iPod Touch (while still plugged in your computer)
7. Open resn0w or PwnageTool.
Redsn0w:
8. Locate your IPSW file
9. Customize your jailbroken iPod Touch (MAKE SURE "Install Cydia" IS CHECKED; if you don't know what the other options do, don't check them)
10. Follow the on-screen directions to start the jailbreaking process
11. Cydia should be installed on your iPod Touch after step 10
12. Open up Cydia, get the settings configured, update it (requires Wi-Fi or internet connection), restart your iPod Touch (should be done automatically after you configure your settings)
13. Open up Cydia once more, go to the "Search" tab at the bottom of the screen, search for "Activator"
14. Install "Activator" and you'll be able to access it on your iPod Touch's "Settings" app
PwnageTool:
8. Locate your IPSW file
9. ... I don't have an iDevice that is higher than iOS 4.2.1, so I can't tell how the rest of the PwnageTool installation goes (can someone else provide more details if needed? Thanks).
10. Cydia should be installed on your iPod Touch after the processes in step 9
11. Open up Cydia, get the settings configured, update it (requires Wi-Fi or internet connection), restart your iPod Touch (should be done automatically after you configure your settings)
12. Open up Cydia once more, go to the "Search" tab at the bottom of the screen, search for "Activator"
13. Install "Activator" and you'll be able to access it on your iPod Touch's "Settings" app
If anyone has any other suggestions of how to jailbreak or software to use, I could add it in this guide. I personally have only used Greenpois0n RC 6.1 since I own an iPod Touch 2G MC. I believe the MC models can only be jailbroken with Greepois0n consitantly (I've done it more than 5 times using it).
Edited by miceblue - 10/12/11 at 11:13pm
