Glossary
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| High-speed data capabilities over wireless mobile phone systems. |
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| TFT (Thin Film Transistor or Active Matrix) LCD is a technology that offers improved refresh rates and good contrast. It achieves this by adding an individual switch for every single pixel, instead of one for each row and column. A thin film transistor at each pixel gives a greater contrast and vastly improved refresh rate. |
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| The amount of data which can be stored within the phone itself. This being in terms of the number of addresses and contact details the phone can hold. |
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| Early mobile phones used analogue technology, all mobile phones sold now are digital phones and analogue services are no longer available in the UK. |
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| The camera of a mobile phone can automatically focus the lens, enabling clearer quality pictures to be taken. |
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| The phone must support the same standard your provider supports. When a phone is referred to as dualband, this usually means that it supports both GSM 900 and GSM 1800 networks tri-band usually means GSM 900/1800/1900 (USA and Canada) support. |
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| When a mobile phone is switched on and waiting for a call it is on 'standby'. This mode still consumes battery power but much less than when talking on the mobile phone device . |
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| Talktime reffers to the length of time a mobile phone can be used to to make calls before the battery goes flat. Talking on a mobile phone uses battery life quicker than if the phone is in standby mode. Battery life can be expressed as talktime and standby time to allow comparison between models. |
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| Blackberry uses push-based technology (software that automates the delivery of information to users) to deliver wireless synchronisation automatically between a handheld device and your mailbox, calendar and address book. |
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| Bluetooth is a computing and telecommunications standard that describes how mobile phones, computers and PDAs can interconnect with each other using a short wireless connection. This technology is used in Mobile phones for a varity of activity like wireless headsets and data transfers. |
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| The browser is the software application that allows access to the Internet. Mobile phones incorporate a special browser that can access mobile Internet . |
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| Call deflection is a selective call divert function that allows a call to be forwarded without it first being accepted. Call deflection can either be automatically initiated by the mobile station, or by a network interaction. Calls can be deflected to different numbers depending on the caller’s number. |
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| Allows mobile phone users to divert calls from one number to any other number. 'Divert on' may show on the mobile phone display when a call is made, which indicates that anyone calling whilst phone is engaged will be divert to Voicemail. |
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| Cameraphone is used to describe a device that combines the features of both a mobile phone and a digital camera. This means that camera phones function as a normal mobile phone and also take photographs. Some of these phones are even able to record live video and all but a few 3G phones are capable of enabling 2-way video calls. Users can now exchange photographs between compatible MMS phones, although the size of the MMS file is usually restricted. The pictures may also be sent as attachments to an e-mail address or uploaded to a PC or MAC. The key feature of a cameraphone is its maximum resolution, a number given as a number in pixels (e.g. 1.3 megapixels). |
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| A car charger allows a mobile phone to be connected to a cigarette lighter to charge the mobile phones battery. |
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| Most phones are available to be used, within legal guidelines, in a car. Many come with bluetooth headsets or fixed car hands free. |
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| Charms are mobile phone jewellery and are the latest must have fashion accessory and collectible items, that add a little bit of fun and individuality to your mobile phone. |
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| Clearance Phones Clearance handsets have been returned by Customers under the Phones 4u 14-day money back guarantee. Clearance handsets have been rigorously tested, fully re-conditioned by our engineers and re-packaged as new. All our clearance handsets are supplied with a 12-month warranty direct from Phones4u. All of the Network provider's responsibility regarding warranties on these handsets have been transferred to Phones 4u. Any issues regarding faulty equipment should be directed to Phones 4u. This does not affect your statutory rights. |
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| Many phones have the capability to be connected to a PC via a USB connection or over a bluetooth connection |
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| The strength of the mobile phones network signal in a given area. Often shown on a coverage map. |
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| A data cable allows the phone to be attached to other applications such as a PC. This allows for a transfer of data such as pictures or phone book onto another piece of hardware. |
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| These cards allow mobile phones to connect to a laptop or palm top computer. You can then use the two devices to access the Internet. |
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| All Mobile phones now use digital rather than the out dated analogue technology. Digital mobile phones convert sounds into digital signals. This intern allows for better sound quality and increased security. The digital services offered by most networks is often referred to as GSM. |
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| Most digital cameras have two methods of zooming: optical and digital. Digital zoom discards pixels within the image , fitting the remaining pixels into the same space to give the appearance of zoom. |
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| The size of the phone in format (H x L x W) and the volume of the phone where available. The dimensions do not include the external antenna. If the phone has a flip, it is measured with the flip closed. |
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| Feature built into some modern mobile phones allowing the user to view MS Word, Excel, Access and Power Point documents on your mobile. |
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| EDGE means Enhanced Data for Global Evolution, and is an extended and enhanced version of GPRS, this is good because it's backwards compatible with GPRS and just about every mobile data device supports GPRS. It's speed is 2-3 times faster than GPRS, which means that in real terms you could expect 90-120k connection, though as it's a packet radio standard that will be degraded severely if the signal strength is not strong or if there is interference. |
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| Edge (Enhanced Data rates for Global Evolution) or EGRPS is a method of transmitting data over mobile phone networks. This is an up-rated version of GPRS that is capable of both voice and 3G data transfers. |
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| Email also known as Electronic mail is a method of sending and receiving messages over electronic communication systems. The term e-mail applies both to the Internet e-mail systems and the mobile phone email systems. |
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| Some mobile phones allow the front & back casing's or fascia's to be replaced with coloured designs. |
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| Many phones allow the ability to send and receive fax transmissions. |
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| The presentation of the phone. Its styling will follow three direct routes, the bar which is a typical rectangular traditional style phone. The clam which is a flip open phone and the slide which is a bar looking phone which slides open typically to revel the keypad. The format varies dependant on manufacturer and current trends. |
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| On most of the phones can be installed additional games. Some phones might come with different game sets in the different geographical regions or even network providers. |
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| The General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) is a nonvoice value added service that allows information to be sent and received across a mobile phone network. |
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| This is used to describe the popular 900 MHz digital frequency, used by the majority of UK mobile phone networks |
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| Mobile phones are often referred to as handsets. |
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| IMEI Or International Mobile Equipment Identity, is a unique serial number used on mobile phones. The IMEI number is like the number plate on your car and can be used to identify your handset. |
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| Unique number used to identify every SIM |
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| Mobile phones are generally worth considerably more than you pay , If your mobile is damaged, lost or stolen it can be very expensive to get a replacement. Insurance covers you against such an occurrence and minimises the finical impact. |
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| Many new phones contain the ability to browse the web via an internet browser. |
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| With IrDA ports, a laptop or PDA can exchange data with a desktop computer or use a printer without a cable connection. IrDA requires line-of-sight transmission like a TV remote control. |
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| A trademark used for a programming language designed to develop applications, specially ones for the Internet, that can operate on different platforms. |
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| A single dial with multiple functions which allows single thumb scrolling through menus. |
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| This feature allows a mobile phone to block the use of the keypad in order to prevent accidental dialling. |
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| Colour or monochrome, which in turn can be alphanumeric or graphic. The colour displays can be STN, TFT, TFD or OLED. Alphanumeric displays can show only symbols with a constant size, while graphic displays can show fonts of different sizes and animations. |
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| The size of the display in pixels. For the alphanumeric displays the size is shown in characters and lines. |
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| The maximum speed at which the phone exchanges data with the network. |
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| Software that "plays" audio, video or animation files. In the Windows world, Windows Media Player and the media players from RealNetworks (RealOne, RealPlayer, etc.) are widely used. |
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| Megapixel Cameras are built around Megapixel technology and are capable of producing large, hi-res images. The quality of images taken with a Megapixel camera is usually very high and can be used for printer reproductions. Magapaixel cameras can be found in all manor of devices such, Digital cameras, Mobile Phones, PDA's, PC, etc. |
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| Some phones accept memory cards for storage expansion. Usually a small card is included in the standard package; bigger capacity cards can be purchased separately. |
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| The list of all messaging functions of the mobile. All possible functions are SMS, EMS, MMS, Email, Fax, Instant Messaging. |
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| Also known as Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) is like SMS (Short Messaging Service), in the fact that it is a way of sending a message from one mobile phone to another. The major difference is that MMS can include not just text, but sound, images and video also. |
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| A software utility or handheld device that plays audio files encoded in MPEG Audio Layer 3. |
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| Some times referred to as the Network' is the companies that supply the framework that allows calls to be made in the UK. There are five major UK networks: O2, Vodafone, Orange. Three and T-Mobile. |
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| A platform describes some sort of framework, either in hardware or software, which allows software to run. |
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| Many other accessories are available for mobiles. The most prominent of these are bluetooth headsets which are handsfree kits with no wires as well as other items such as dongles which allow for an easier transfer of data to PC's. |
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| These Pay as you go or Pre pay phones as they some times referred to have no monthly tariff charge or fixed term contract. There is no service charge you just pay for the calls you make and the texts you send by buying top-ups. |
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| Also known as 'Contract Phones'. These packages include a phone on 12 or 18 month line rental agreement, usually at a reduced cost. By buying a Pay Monthly deal, you will receive bills of your agreed monthly charge and will only be billed more if you exceed the amount of free calls or texts on the tariff you are connected to. |
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| This device allows the user to use their phone hands-free by wearing a headset and microphone. |
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| A personal handsfree kit allows you to move around without having to keep a phone to your ear. Whether driving, at work or even simply on the move a PHF allows you to stay mobile. |
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| The amount of data which can be stored within the phone itself. This could be in terms of the amount of pictures, videos, games or ringtones which it could hold etc. |
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| A feature on most mobile phones that allows for names and telephone numbers to be stored in the phone’s memory. |
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| A 4-figure number that is used to stop unauthorised use of your mobile phone. The PIN number can be changed at any time. |
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| Is a software application on a mobile that makes typing a text message simpler by predicting the word that the user is trying to type based on the first few letters. |
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| SAR stands for Specific Absorption Rate which is the unit of measurement for the amount of RF energy absorbed by the body when using a mobile phone. |
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| This small chip identifies your phone and number to the network operator. |
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| Software on mobile phones that can be enabled so that the phone only works with a specified SIM card |
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| The term Smartphone relates to a handheld device that integrates the features of a mobile phone with those of a PDA. This allows the smartphone to be used either as a regular phone or as a PDA. Smartphones are often thought of as useful devices for personal information management such as calendars, phone/address books and notepads, but they have far wider functionality: as HTML Internet browsers, e-mail clients, games players, MP3 music players, A-GPS location-based service tool and much much more. These smart mobile phones have extensive multimedia features, such as an integrated cameras and audio or video streaming of media material. The developers of smartphone software provide a wide range of useful applications such MS Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint and PDF files. Smartphones, like the better mobile phones, usually come with a choice of connectivity options and it is possible to transfer data by Bluetooth™, Wi-Fi, infrared, USB cable, or remotely over the network. |
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| Also known as Short Message Service is on most digital mobile phones, that allows the user to send short messages (some times called text messages, or texts or even txts) between mobile phones, handheld devices and landline phones. Text messages can used to order ringtones and wallpapers. |
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| Mobile phones with a loud speaker can be used to conduct a conversation without holding the receiver. A loud speaker allows you to hear the other party and a microphone built into the phone picks up speech. |
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| When a mobile phone is switched on and awaiting a call it is said to be on 'standby'. This still consumes battery power but far less than when the mobile phone is being used for talking on. Battery life is normally measured as standby or talking time. |
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| An open standard protocol for synchronizing data between corporate servers, Web servers, desktops, laptops and handhelds. |
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| How long the phone can make calls without recharging. The talk time depends very much on network settings. |
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| Relates to the schedule of prices which you will pay for using your phone. This normally includes a set monthly charge, an amount of free calls and texts and a rate for calls per minute. Each of the networks operate a variety of tariffs designed to meet the needs of all customers. One tariff may be best for heavy users, another might be the best for business users and a third may be the best for infrequent users. By choosing the tariff which best suits the way you will use the mobile phone, you can be sure to get the lowest call charges possible each month. |
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| A feature that allows the user to send a short message of up to 160 characters (letters, numbers or spaces, full-stops etc) to other mobile phone users. |
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| Top-up vouchers for prepay/pay as you go phones, allow the user to add calling credit to their mobile phone. |
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| Touch screen is an Input device used in televisions, special computer screens, mobile phones and PDA's. It is used to simplify user input and response, the user touches the screen rather than a keyboard or keypad. |
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| TV-out is commonly used to label a connector allowing a device (mobile phone, camcorder, etc) to display video and audio signals through a television set. |
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| When the 3G Network Infrastructure was being built, this was the new technology that promised greater capacity and data transfer, which have made Video Phones and full high-speed Net surfing a possibility. |
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| Universal Serial Bus (USB) provides a serial bus standard for connecting devices, usually to a computer, but it also is in use on other devices such as set-top boxes, game consoles and PDAs. |
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| This allows the mobile phone to vibrate instead of ring, alerting the mobile phone owner discretely of any incoming call. |
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| Allows the user to use the mobile phone by simply say the name of the person they wish to phone and then the mobile phone dials the number from the phonebook. |
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| An answering machine on mobile phones that takes messages if the mobile phone is switched off or is engaged. |
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| Is a term used to describe the background screen design. Some mobile phones allow wallpaper to be changed in much the same way as a PC. |
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| Means Wireless Application Protocol. WAP is a secure specification that allows its users to access information via handheld wireless devices like mobile phones, pagers, two-way radios, smartphones and PDA's. |
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| WCDMA is Wideband CDMA, this is the technology for wideband wireless access supporting 3G mobile phone services. This technology allows very high-speed multimedia services like wireless Internet access and video calling. |
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| The weight of the phone depends on the type of the battery it uses. Keep in mind that some of the manufacturers advertise the weight of the phone with the lightest battery available (slim), and the performance with the heaviest (extended). The phone is usually sold with a middle class battery (standard). |
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| A set of standards that set forth the specifications for transmitting data over a wireless network. |
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| The Xenon flash lamp is an electric glow discharge lamp designed to produce high intense, full-spectrum white light for very short durations. This form of flash lighting is most commonly used in photography and is now becoming part of the modern mobile camera phones. |
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