[Epic 4G Android Development] DRockstar:
Well, since no one has mentioned this yet, hope has returned for the quick computerless root, via apk!

This is not my work, it is Chainfire's apk, with Android Exploid Crew's gingerbreak binary inside... brought to you by the makers of rageagainstthecage-arm5.bin... anyways, here's the xda post:

http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1044765

Note: this only installs su with superuser.apk, and not busybox, from what I've seen, I tested this with stock EC05. I'm glad busybox is not included, since it would be broken, due to the limited space of the stock EC05 system. So for most using this, the first steps, after rooting with this, would be the following:

Edit: new instructions, for installing rooted kernel, and Clockworkmod 2.5.1.0, all without a computer:

* on the phone, goto menu > settings > applications. Make sure Unknown sources is checked. Goto Development, and make sure USB debugging is checked.

* Install the following apps from the market: SGS Kernel Flasher, ROM Manager, Astro File Manager, and Dolphin Browser HD, all available free from the market, the names here are market links, for your convenience. If opening the links on the phone, make sure to choose the market, when opening them.

Note: Astro File Manager is for ease of locating and installing the gingerbreak.apk on your sdcard. Dolphin Browser HD is recommended, so that downloads don't get the names truncated... The stock browser has been known to do this, especially on my kernel zip downloads.

* Grab the gingerbreak.apk from here (I used the 1.2 version of the apk). either tap the apk download from the dropdown menu, or use astro file manager to locate the apk, and install it. Now close astro file manager, and any other apps that may be using the sdcard.

Now it's time to open gingerbreak from your applications, and choose, "Root Device". It may take up to several minutes, before the phone reboots itself. If all has gone according to plan, you will now have a very basic root, with the Superuser app, so that you can control what apps have root permissions. If for some reason you don't have superuser in your apps, or the gingerbreak has frozen past 10 minutes, reboot the phone, and run the gingerbreak app again.

Note: I am not directly linking the apk here, out of respect for Chainfire, who developed this apk... I wouldn't do it without his permission anyways.

* download DRockstar.Clean.Kernel.EC05.v1.02.zip and put on your sdcard

Original kernel post with sources: http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1053252

* Open SGS kernel flasher, and be sure to give permission when the superuser prompt appears. Tap "choose kernel", tap .. , locate DRockstar.Clean.Kernel.EC05.v1.02.zip on your sdcard, and flash the kernel. It should reboot the phone when done. You'll now be running a rooted stock kernel, with some nice added features.

* download cwm2.5.1.0.zip.

Original ReRFS Stock ROM and tools: http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1027904

Note: It's a really good idea to download ReRFS Stock ROM, in case you need to stock the phone, in a jam.

* open ROM Manager app, and Tap "Flash ClockworkMod Recovery". Choose the Epic 4G.

The following message will appear:

"Epic4G does not have an officially supported ClockworkMod Recovery yet. Have you installed a ClockworkMod recovery manually?"

choose yes, and select ClockworkMod 2.x.

Next, tap "Install ROM from SD Card". Browse to, and choose the cwm2.5.1.0.zip on your sdcard.

Tap OK at "Reboot and Install", and be sure to give permission, when the superuser prompt appears.

Presto... rooted kernel with full busybox, and Clockworkmod, with no computer needed, for the epic!

Note: Here's cwm3.0.0.6.zip, if you're ready to plunge into ext4. Make sure you have an ext4 compatible ROM ready to flash, on your you sdcard, before converting to ext4. The stock EC05 system will not boot after converting to ext4. Also, be warned, that as of yet, no posted Epic kernels are ROM Manager compatible with ext4, though I am quite certain that tanimn is very hard at work, doing his best to make this happen.

Anyways, I figured all this would be welcome news, and gives me hope again, that an all in one apk can be mustered for the Epic.

I know some are you are saying, "But this is all so complicated, can't you make this any easier?" Well, I say, having dealt with driver and cable issues galore for months, supporting one click root adb scripts... that this is, in fact, no more complicated at all. It may even be easier.

Maybe with some luck and a little skill, I can do a custom apk for us in the future, but for now, this *will* work.