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Google's Android open source OS 'jailbroken'

Fans of Google's Android OS, now available on T-Mobile G1 phones, can finally feel more "at home" with the Open Source notion Google is taking.

"Jailbreaking", a popular term popularized by Apple's iPhone, means "getting full (root) access". Why exactly would you jailbreak an open source device based on Linux? Google has locked down several portions of the phone's Linux-based OS to secure the system from malicious scripts or applications. However, this lock down incited anger and a feeling of betrayal from many open source and free software backers, who said that people should be able to have full control over their phones.

A group of hackers at the XDA community have developed a workaround not for the faint of heart. As always, take caution before proceeding.

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