A-Z (almost) Of Cell Phone Terminology
Android
Android is a phone operating system that was designed by Google. It can be used in handsets made by a range of manufacturers.
Battery
Most cell phone batteries are removable, and can be replaced when they aren’t lasting as long any more.
Bluetooth
Bluetooth is a technology used by phones to connect wirelessly to other devices. Phones can connect to computers via Bluetooth, but more commonly it is used to connect to cell phone accessories like headsets or wireless keyboards.
CDMA
CDMA is a digital wireless communication protocol, used by phones to send and receive information.
Digital Zoom
Digital zoom is a feature used in camera phones. It zooms in on a section of an image by taking a smaller piece of the image and enlarging it This is a common feature in camera phones, but produces progressively lower quality images the more zoom is used.
Firmware
Firmware is the internal operating system that makes a phone work. Firmware can be upgraded to give the benefits of improvements made by the manufacturer. Some phones can be upgraded at home, when connected to a computer. Others must be upgraded by the manufacturer or a repairer.
Flight mode
Phones in flight mode have all communications features switched off, but can still be used to run applications or games on the phone without disrupting aircraft systems.
GPS
GPS is a system that lets a phone know exactly where it is geographically. This can be used in mapping software, just like a car navigation device.
Infrared
Infrared is used in some phones to communicate wirelessly. Phones must have line of sight to the other infrared device to work, so this feature is not used very much in modern phones.
Java
Java is a programming language used to create games and applications that can run on phones.
Key Guard
Most phones have a method of avoiding inadvertent key presses while the phone is in a pocket or bag. These work by requiring specific keys to be pressed together or in sequence to unlock the keypad.
MMS
Multi Media Messaging is a way of sending media such as short videos, pictures, or sound files to other phones as a text message.
Megapixel
A megapixel is a measurement of resolution used in digital cameras. One megapixel is made up of one thousand pixels. Most modern cameras offer well over 1 megapixel of resolution, but be wary of ultra high resolution phone cameras. Often the picture quality is better in a phone with a moderate resolution but better quality sensor.
Optical zoom
Optical zoom uses movable lenses to narrow the field of view, and enlarge an image. Optical zoom produces far superior results compared to digital zoom.
Predictive text
Predictive text is a system that the phone uses to guess what word you are typing, and complete it for you. If it gets the word wrong it is usually easy to continue typing over with what you want, or toggling through different options to find the correct word. This uses an internal dictionary, which learns new words you use over time.
Ring tone
Modern cell phones support a wide range of ring tones. It’s easy to get your favorite tune, either downloaded straight to your phone or copied from a computer.
SMS
An SMS is a short text message, sent to another mobile phone.
Touch Screen
Touch screens allow users to press on icons on the screen directly, rather than using physical buttons to navigate. The iphone is the market leading example of this, but many companies are launching competing products.
Unlocked
Unlocked phones are able to be used with any network that you have an account with. If your phone is locked, you will only be able to use it on a single network. Phones can be unlocked online or by your carrier – or may even be sold unlocked.
Video call
A video call is like a voice call, but front mounted cameras are used to transmit a real time video image of you speaking – or doing whatever else you are doing.
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi is a wireless networking standard used by many new phones to access the internet or other networks through a wireless access point or hot spot.
Xenon flash
Most phones have LED flashes, but some have the much better quality xenon flash tube. This is a good option if you want to take photos in dark places, like parties or clubs.