 3G |
| Refers to increased Bandwidth, from 128 Kbps while moving at high speeds to 2Mbps for fixed stations, will enable multimedia applications and advanced roaming features. |
Bandwidth |
| Traditionally referred to the amount of data that can be carried by a wired computer network. |
Bluetooth |
| A communications specification designed to enable PDAs, mobile phones, computers, and other devices to share information and synchronize data. This technology requires a transceiver chip in each device. Devices operate in the 2.4Ghz band, sending data at 720 Kbps within a 30 foot range. |
CDMA(Code Division Multiple Access) |
| Using military technology originally developed by the Allies in WWII, it spreads transmisions over all available frequencies. Conversations are assigned a code which is used to reassemble it upon arrival. This allows multiple calls to be carried over one channel. |
EDGE(Enhanced Data GSM Environment) |
| Intended as incremental step toward 3G services. It operates at 384 Kbps, and enables multimedia transmissions and broadband applications for mobile phones and computers. |
EPOC |
| An operating systems for handheld computers and mobile phones with Web access. It's an open operating system developed by Psion, and now licensed by Symbian. EPOC's main competitor is Windows CE. |
GPRS(General Packet Radio Services) |
| Provides packet-based, rather than circuit-switched connections on mobile networks. Data rates should range from 56 up to 150 Kbps. The as-needed (rather than dedicated) connections should bring down the cost of data services. Based on the GSM standard, this is an incremental step toward Enhanced Data GSM Environment (EDGE) and 3G services. |
GPS(Global Positioning System) |
| A satellite-based system for determining your location within 10 to 100 meters, depending on the accuracy of the equipment. Originally used for military and scientific applications, GPS receivers are now widely available in everything from cars to wrist watches. |
GSM(Global System for Mobile communication) |
| The standard digital cellular system in Europe, Asia, and other parts of the world. It is a variation on TDMA, with a data transfer rate of 9.6 Kbps. |
HDML(Handheld Device Markup Language) |
| A language that formats information for mobile phones or handheld computers in the same way that HTML does for PCs. It was originally developed by Unwired Planet (now phone.com) and is considered to be the forerunner of WML (Wireless Markup Language). Most current HDML browsers are capable of interpreting WML sites. |
i-Mode |
| A packet based mobile phone service from Japan's NTT DoCoMo. I-Mode operates at 9.6 Kbps and uses a simplified version of HTML rather than WML. Its next generation system should support rates of 384 Kbps, enabling multimedia applications. |
iDEN(Integrated Digital Enhanced Network) |
| Air interface technology developed by Motorola that allows users to access phone calls, two-way radio transmissions, paging and data transmissions. iDen is used by Nextel in the U.S. |
m-commerce |
| A form of e-commerce which allows users to complete or initiate purchases using their mobile phone or other device. |
Microbrowser |
| Refers to the software application that Internet-enabled wireless phones use to access Web content. |
MMS(Multimedia Message Service) |
| The ability to send messages comprising a combination of text, sounds,images and video to MMS capable handsets. |
Mobile Phones |
| A mobile phone is a type of wireless phone that transmits and receives digital (rather than analog) signals. Mobile phones have the ability to receive messages on its screen containing text and numbers. This technology is known as short message service (SMS) or alphanumeric paging. |
Palm OS |
| The operating system originally designed for the Palm series of PDAs. Palm has since been purchased by 3Com, but they still develop and license the OS. Unlike operating systems used by other handhelds, the Palm OS is built to function on a particular type of device. |
PDA(Personal Digital Assistant) |
| small handheld device commonly used as a mobile computer or personal organizer. Many PDAs incorporate small keyboards, while others use touchscreens with handwriting recognition. Some of these devices have Internet capabilities, either through a built-in or add-on modem. |
Pocket PC(formerly Windows CE) |
| An upgraded version of Windows CE that offers greater stability and a new interface. Features include Mobile Internet capabilities, an e-book reader, and handwriting recognition. |
Smartphone |
| A mobile, digital telephone that has features not associated with traditional home or mobile phones. These features include Internet access, simple text messaging, and data services. |
SMS(Short Messaging Service) |
| Originally part of the GSM system, it refers to any text messaging service available on digital mobile phones. |
T9 Text Input |
| Software available on nearly 180 mobile phones worldwide that enables easy text input. T9 Text Input allows mobile phone users to easily type messages using just one key press per letter. |
TDMA(Time Division Multiple Access) |
| Divides cellular channels into three time slots, increasing data capacity. This lets multiple users or conversations to be carried on the same channel. |
WAP(Wireless Access Protocol) |
| A set of standards that allows Web access on mobile devices. WAP is supported by most wireless networks and operating systems. It supports HTML and XML, but is designed for WML. |
WML(Wireless Markup Language) |
| A language developed to control the presentation of web pages on mobile phones and PDA in the same way that HTML does for PCs. Part of the Wireless Access Protocol (WAP), WML is an open standard, and is supported by most mobile phones. |
XHTML |
| A reworking of HTML 4.0 designed to work as a application of XML. It allows anyone to create sets of markup tags for new purposes. |
