The Jailbreaking Megathread

[DontCare4Free]

For Android root users, if you're not on a custom ROM already that has it, you should probably download and install the Terminal Emulator, as it will help out quite a bit for root stuff.

And this is when I am happy I got a Mæmo phone.

Optionally, if you want to install BASH (I recommend it, it's better than the default shell called Busybox), follow the instructions here.

Busybox isn't really a shell, but rather a remake of the standard *NIX tools in one binary to avoid a lot of overhead. That it might bundle a shell is another story.
The reason for them using Busybox instead of the regular GNU tools is because of that each binary has some overhead (a few KiBs), and while that is neglectible for a single application, it just isn't viable with hundreds of such tools where the overhead might even be bigger than the application itself on an embedded device with quite limited storage space.

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[Miga]

Now, back on topic, Miga, what Android phone would you recommend? I need a new phone but not something insanely expensive.

Nothing made by Motorola. I'm steering people away from them until they unlock their bootloaders.

Go for something from HTC or Samsung.

Busybox isn't really a shell, but rather a remake of the standard *NIX tools in one binary to avoid a lot of overhead. That it might bundle a shell is another story.
The reason for them using Busybox instead of the regular GNU tools is because of that each binary has some overhead (a few KiBs), and while that is neglectible for a single application, it just isn't viable with hundreds of such tools where the overhead might even be bigger than the application itself on an embedded device with quite limited storage space.

That's actually why I was telling people to install a sort of "real" shell. Plus, because BASH remembers your commands for that session and you can use the arrow keys/trackball to go through the commands you've run and run them again if you need to.

[DontCare4Free]

That's actually why I was telling people to install a sort of "real" shell. Plus, because BASH remembers your commands for that session and you can use the arrow keys/trackball to go through the commands you've run and run them again if you need to.

Weird, because that works fine for me under Busybox.

[Miga]

Weird, because that works fine for me under Busybox.

Actually, I don't even think Android uses busybox. I think it might be using it's own shell.

[Raeyok]

Nothing made by Motorola. I'm steering people away from them until they unlock their bootloaders.

Go for something from HTC or Samsung.

Mkay, any specific one you would recommend?

[Miga]

Mkay, any specific one you would recommend?

Well, if you don't want to deal with having to unlock the bootloader yourself, I'd go for the Nexus S from Samsumg, which is basically a developer phone that can easily/officially be unlocked.

Otherwise, you're really free to choose basically.

[DontCare4Free]

If you want an easily rootable phone then you should get a Nokia N900.
Terminal comes pre-installed and rooting is as simple as installing an application from Maemo-Extras (the "official" community repo, look for "rootsh"). Android is available through the (somewhat buggy) NITDroid. Debian (for ARM) under chroot is available from Maemo-Extras too (look for "Easy Debian"). Other stuff in Maemo-Extras include Java SE 6 (not the mobile edition) with compiler, dosbox and a geocaching application.

[Miga]

If you want an easily rootable phone then you should get a Nokia N900.

The thing about the N900 is that it's generally a lot better to use than Android, because it runs an actual GNU/Linux distribution that functions very similar to the ones you see on desktop computers.

I don't even know why you'd want Android on it, to be honest.

[DontCare4Free]

I don't even know why you'd want Android on it, to be honest.

Games. There are almost no (fun) games available for it.
However, the NITDroid is quite slow and much stuff in it doesn't even work (like calling).

[Raeyok]

Well, if you don't want to deal with having to unlock the bootloader yourself, I'd go for the Nexus S from Samsumg, which is basically a developer phone that can easily/officially be unlocked.

Otherwise, you're really free to choose basically.

Yeah, I was looking at that one, seems really nice. Only problem is that my carrier doesn't offer it. :(

[DontCare4Free]

Yeah, I was looking at that one, seems really nice. Only problem is that my carrier doesn't offer it. :(

Never buy from your carrier. If you do it'll probably be more expensive in the end.

[Raeyok]

Never buy from your carrier. If you do it'll probably be more expensive in the end.

I've always bought phones from my carrier, so how would I go about getting a Nexus S with T-Mobile as my service provider?

[Raeyok]

hi

[Plasmus]

is it possible to jailbreak a nintendo DSi or an iPod 5th generation nano

because that's all i have

[Raeyok]

is it possible to jailbreak a nintendo DSi or an iPod 5th generation nano

because that's all i have

I wouldn't know, try Googling it.