mobile phones - jargon buster

3G

Third generation (3G) is the latest phone technology and allows high speed data content transfer. This can mean up to 50 times more data transmitted per minute than with ordinary phones. Video and pictures can be viewed quickly with this technology.

Android

Android is a smartphone operating system from Google. If you don't know what an operating system is, it is an important component for your computer (Windows and Mac OS X are operating systems), mobile phone, GPS, etc. Android includes services like Google Maps (place-to-place voice navigation built into Google Maps), the Android Market (there are lots of apps), a Google Chrome-like internet browser, YouTube, a widget-based homescreen, and many many more! Android phones are fast and are easy-to-use, so they are the best choice if smartphones are what you are looking for.

Bluetooth

A type of wireless transmission with relatively short range at present (10 - 100 metres). This can be a wireless connection between your telephone, computer, printer or other compatible device

Bluetooth Headset

A device that sits on or around the ear and allows you to wirelessly connect to your mobile phone with handsfree receiving of calls.

Card Slot

Expand the memory of the phone by slotting in a memory card.

Carkit

Carkits enable you to use your phone in the car safely and legally, and usually enable handsfree operation and charging of your phone's battery.

Digital zoom

Each pixel is enlarged to increase the size of the subject, but picture quality is very much reduced.

GPRS

General Packet Radio System for Mobile Communications. This is the mobile phone system network for Europe and most of Asia.

GPS

Global Positioning Satellite. This technology needs a GPS receiver to calculate from the orbiting satellites your exact location on Earth.

Integral Cameras

Allow you to take, send (in the form MMS) and store digital pictures.

MMS

Multimedia Messaging Service. A messaging format that allows the transmission of images, sound, video clips and text.

Mobile TV

This technology is seen as the future of the phone and is becoming the complete multimedia gadget. Sky has launched TV which is beamed to your phone for a monthly fee/subscrition. The service includes Sky News,Sports, factual programs and Sky Music and Entertainment.

MP3 Player

Listen to MP3 encoded tracks at near CD quality. An MP3 track can also be used as a ringtone on some phones.

Optical zoom

The image is enlarged by the use of lenses, unlike digital zoom which reduces the picture quality.

Pixels/Megapixels

The larger the quoted number of pixels the better the quality of the images taken by the camera.

Polyphonic

Very high quality full-range sound.

PTT

Push-to-Talk this is a technology that connects you to work groups and friends with supreme ease.

Quad Band

Allows you to make and receive calls Worldwide, with some exceptions.

QWERTY keyboard

A keyboard with the same letter layout as a computer keyboard.

Refresh Rate

The ability of the screen to keep up, ensuring smooth playback. 15 frames (fps) per second at least is recommended.

Satellite Navigation

Turn-by-turn instructions and on-screen directions on your phone. Can be linked to your phone via Bluetooth or the GPS receiver and navigational software already integrated into your phone.

SatNav

Also see Satellite Navigation. Never get lost again with this technology! It uses a GPS receiver and software to interpret and pinpoint your exact location in the world.

Screen Resolution

The higher the quoted number of pixels the better the screen. A screen with high resolution will display your pictures and video more clearly.

SD Slot

A secure digital memory card can be inserted to store images and data from your phone.

Service Provider

This is the company that handles your mobile calls. At present the five main Service Providers are: Orange, T-Mobile, O2, Vodaphone and '3'. Other service providers include Virgin Mobile, Tesco, Argos and the Carphone Warehouse.

Smartphone

A phone that can organize your life as well as make and receive calls. Smartphones can make and send e-mails, maintain a diary, to do lists and are able to store lots of data. Smartphones can also be used as an internet dongle (for your computer), and can connect to a computer, so that you can edit or show a document on-the-go or, download it to another computer. Smartphone OS's consist of: UiQ (Symbian-based), Symbian, Palm OS, webOS (coming soon to the Palm Pre), Windows Mobile.

SMS

Short Messaging Service. Commonly known as 'Text messaging'.

Tri-band

Allows you to make and receive calls in Europe and USA.

VGA/QVGA/SVGA

VGA (stands for Video Graphics Array) is a default video format for mobile phones (for example, the LG Renoir) but is also the standard for cameras as well. This format uses very little space on the card/disk, and is relatively poor quality, and has small screen space (640x480), so that you can record more video quickly and easily (only recommended for simple videos). Also, Windows uses a system called SVGA (Super Video Graphics Array), which, only can display in poor quality modes, and, is unable to support a big display (SVGA supports 800x600 up to 1680x1050). QVGA (stands for Quarter Video Graphics Array) is the same as VGA, but smaller (320x240)

Video capture

This is the ability to film moving video footage, in the form of video clips. These can either be stored on the phone or sent in the form of MMS.

WAP

Wireless Application Protocol. Special Web pages made for small screens on mobiles and PDA's.

WiFi

Wireless transmission of data and images with a good range.