Jailbreaking my iPhone 3g 3.1.2?

[XoFRENZYoX]

Ok, i am interested in Jailbreaking my iphone 3g runnin 3.1.2 firmware. Problem is most of the searching i have done is all geek speak and i do not have a clue what they are going on about. Basically i want to Jailbreak my phone to use 3rd party apps and thats it, i am not interested in the unlocking. I am using windows and dont have access to a mac but from my searches i have came accross 2, Blackra1n and Pwnage. Also, does jailbreaking erase all my 'Original' itunes content? And am i still able to use app store etc?

Keep babbling so to make it easier...

1, Whats better, Pwnage or Blackra1n?
2, Is there a way to jailbreak JUST for apps etc?
3, Do i keep all my original itunes apps?

 

[Sycamoira]

If you still have iTunes 9.1, use the Spirit jailbreak. This is what I used on my 3g running 3.1.3. It it literally a one-step jailbreak. You don't even have to put your phone into any funny modes. You just download spirit, connect your phone, and spirit jailbreaks it and it reboots with a spacey background and then you're done. I couldn't get any of the others to work, even though I met all the other criteria. If you use Spirit, you'll have to stick with iTunes 9.1 (don't upgrade to the new version because some users have experienced serious problems after they upgraded.) Spirit works on Windows, too, and will install Cydia (the jailbreak app store) automatically. If you want "cracked" apps (apps that you usually have to pay for) you'll have to add those sources (hackulo.us etc) to Cydia and I can't help you with that, but most of the great jailbreak apps are available on Cydia anyway for free or for purchase thru paypal.
If you don't have iTunes 9.1 (you can check by going to Help and clicking "About iTunes") then it's also fairly easy to downgrade it on Windows, there are some tutorials out there made specially for people who jailbroke using Spirit and updated iTunes before they realized that it might ruin their jailbreak.
So, specific answers...
1. Pwnage or Blackra1n?
The main advantage to using Pwnage or Blackra1n or RedSn0w or whatever is that you don't have to worry about your iTunes version, and of course it allows for unlocking. If you don't want to unlock, don't even bother with them. So, sorry, since I couldn't get either of them to work for me (long story) I can't say which of those two is better. I preferred pwnage over blackra1n, and would rather have used redsn0w over either of them. Then I found Spirit.
2. Jailbreak just for apps?
This is what jailbreaking is. It just opens up the phone so you can install anything you want, not just Apple apps. Unlocking is the further step which will let you use any carrier, not just AT&T. Most programs will do both, now, but it's an additional step, so you can use a program like redsn0w to jailbreak, and not go on to unlock.
3. Do I keep iTunes apps?
You can safely sync a jailbroken phone to iTunes and still get to use all your Apple apps, you can take them off and on and buy new ones at the App Store etc, but as far as I know iTunes will only handle your iTunes apps. I recommend getting an app from Cydia called AptBackup that will keep a tally of your jailbreak apps and can reinstall them if you have to restore your phone ever. And always hesitate over the "Update iTunes" button and check with the developers of your chosen jailbreak method as to whether or not it is safe to update your iTunes. Same with new versions of the iOS for your phone.
Whatever you decide, good luck!

 

[JosephProphet]

1)3.1.2: Blackra1n is plug-in ur iphone 1-click jailbreak (best for users), *Pwnage Tool is a mac-only software that requires a downloaded firmware to make it's own custom firmware that you 'restore' to (best for hackers), **Redsn0w is a Windows-only software that also requires a downloaded firmware but instead uses a 'DFU' mode to install the Jailbreak software (Best for hackers), ***Sn0wbreeze is the windows version of Pwnage Tool (can also run on macs).
3.1.3:Spirit same as Blackra1n (also jailbreaks iPads), *, **, ***.
4.0: *, **, ***.

2)Jailbreak means to allow 3rd party software on Apple's iDevices, unlock requires a jailbreak (which means you have to go into the Cydia store, or Rock, and install it) you have nothing worry about.

3) yes, your itunes content will remain the same, and they sync seamlessly. even if you install a cracked app then buy the actual app iTunes will still sync.

also, for downloadable firmwares go to felixbruns.de/ipod/firmware
and follow Dinozambas on youtube, got a question just ask him, he'll help you through this.

lastly you can always email me at [email protected]

hope this helped^^