A to Z of Mobile Phone Features
3G is the term given to the new range of infrastructure and handsets being developed to provide give enhanced data communication services within the mobile networks.
3 Way Calling provides the functionality for a conversation between 3 parties.
Accessories – a wide variety of additional pieces of equipment to enhance the productivity of your mobile phone. They include batteries, hands free kits, car kits, cases and belt clips.
Airtime – time tracked by your service provider to determine your billing costs. It includes making/receiving calls, SMS, email and faxing.
All inclusive – You pay for a whole year’s monthly service charges up front, which gets you a discount. A certain number of minutes talk time or number of text messages are included in the price.
Antenna – a device for sending and receiving radio signals. Some phones have built-in antennas.
Back up – creating copies of files which are stored in a safe place.
Band – In wireless communication, band refers to a frequency or contiguous range of frequencies.
Bandwidth is the capacity of the communications channel. Analogue band width is measured in hertz (hz). Digital bandwidth is measured in Bits Per Second (BPS)
Base Station – A site containing a radio transmitter/receiver and network communication equipment. Battery is the power source for the mobile phone. Bit - a single unit of computer memory.
Bluetooth – Uses radio frequencies to transmit information, and it works if the compatible devices are within around 10 metres of each other. One popular use is linking a Bluetooth-enabled phone with a wireless headset. This lets you talk and listen on the move without having to hold the phone. Bps – Bits per second the speed at which data can be moved.
Byte – A byte is a single character which is made up of 8 bits.
Call Barring a feature which allows the user to stop either outgoing or incoming calls. To activate call barring please contact your service provider.
Call Divert a feature which allows the user to redirect a call to either another phone number or to voicemail
Call Holding allows the user to put a call on hold and answer another call. Caller ID ia a feature that displays the name/number of the person who is calling.
Camera Phones – The typical mobile phone camera resolution is now over 1Mp (megapixel). This is short of the standard mid-range digital cameras, but resolutions are rising, and there is a few phones around with 2-3Mp cameras. Some have even reached 8Mps resolution.
Car Kit – An accessory that allows you to use your phone hands-free. Different versions are available. They range from a just a simple charger and hands free kit to an external antenna, speaker and microphones.
Cell – The geographic area determining the signal range from each base station.
Connection fee – A one-off connection fee is charged when you sign up to one of the mobile phone networks.
Coverage – Area the geographic area determining the networks service to users.
Data Services ability to access services such as e-mail, fax, SMS using a mobile phone.
Digital is the technology that all networks use. The digital network offers better coverage, more services and it is more secure than the analogue network.
Download – Copying of a file/program between computers/pda’s/internet.
Dual Band – A phone that is capable of operating on two frequency bands such as 900mhz and 1800mhz.
Edge – Enhanced Data rates for Global Evolution (EDGE) enables data connections three times faster than GPRS. EDGE opens up a lot of possibilities for connecting to data networks on your mobile phone, making it far less frustrating to stream video and download larger files.
Email – the electronic transfer and storage of written messages.
Flight mode – This lets you play music when your phone is off – handy on aircraft, when phones are to be switched off.
Freeware – Software that is free to download and use.
Frequency Bands – All phones sold in the UK will be at least dual-band and so can be used throughout Europe and many other countries (though you usually need to arrange this with your provider). A tri-band phone will work in most North and South America although some areas may need a quad-band device.
Games – Most phones come with a few games, ranging from basic 2D games like chess to 3D driving games. If you like gaming, choose a phone with Java, the software used to produce most games. You can then download more from your phone network or from game suppliers’ websites
GPRS General Packet Radio System, a system to improve the speed of the current mobile networks
GPS – These combine the functions of a mobile phone and a handheld computer, allowing you to send and receive emails and documents as well as make calls.While originally just the preserve of businessmen, smartphones have moved into the mainstream to become a product that you can pick up on your local high street.
GSM – Global System for Mobile Communications the standard of European mobile phones. GSM runs at 900mhz. Vodafone and O2 use the GSM network.
Hand Off – the transfer of a call from one cell site to another as the user moves through the service area.
Headphones – Many music phones work only with their own supplied headphones. If you want to use your own, look for models with a standard headphone adaptor plug. There are two standard sizes: 2.5mm and 3.5mm. The 3.5mm size is the most common
HSDPA – This stands for High-Speed Downlink Package Access, although it’s probably easier to think of it as mobile broadband pr 3.5G. In short, it’s an upgrade to the 3G networks that gives you more bandwith, making it faster to get content, whether that’s streaming video and music, or downloading games, video or music.
HTML – Hypertext Mark-up language, the language in which WWW pages are written
HTML Browser – A program which allows the user to view HTML pages
ICNIRP International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection
IEGMP – Independent Expert Group on mobile phones
IMEI – International Mobile Equipment Identifier is a 15 digit number that uniquely identifies a mobile phone. The IMEI number is situated on the back of the phone Infrared – Many of the latest mobile devices incorporate IrDA ports for cable free data transmission, via infrared light. Unlike Bluetooth, data transmission is point-to-point, requiring the ports to be lined up. Phones with infrared cannot connect handheld PC’s or laptops to the Internet unless it also has a built-in modem
IRDA – A way of sending information using Infra-Red – a bit like the way your TV remote talks to your TV. It means you can transfer data from your phone to your computer or to another friend’s phone. Often used by people to play mobiles games against a friend.
Keypad – Most phones have similar key layouts. The buttons themselves can vary in size, with some ultra slim handsets having tiny keys. Ensure you choose a phone that you’re comfortable using. A recent introduction has been touchscreens, such as can be found on the iPhone. These replace the conventional keypad by allowing you to control the phone using a touch sensitive display. This enables the phone to have much larger screen, handy for viewing photos etc. Smartphones often have QWERTY keyboards.
Keypad lock – Most phones allow you to freeze the keypad by pressing a couple of buttons, so that it cannot be used and start dialling people in error. It is essential to use this as it is very easy to dial numbers by mistake.
LAN – Local Area Network direct linking of several computers to share information
Lithium Ion – (li-ion) The latest battery technology. Li-ion batteries hold more energy than other batteries of the same weight.
Memory – All mobile phones have a memory which allows you to save information. Basic models will usually only have a small internal memory, but this is usually sufficient for limited functions such as storing contact details and text messages.However if you have a more advanced handset and plan to take lots of pictures or store music then you’ll need a larger memory. Some internal memories now hold over 1GB of information (approximately 250 songs) but removal memory cards are a more common solution.
MMS Multimedia Messaging Service. – This allows you to send and receive pictures and audio clips. Some mobiles have an integrated or attached camera to take pictures with. Images can also be downloaded to your phone.
Memory Master – Software that allows you to transfer your numbers from one sim card to another
Menu – Used to describe the list of software options on your mobile phone.
Modem modulator/demodulator – Converts data from digital to analogue and vice versa so data can be transferred
Music Players – Many handsets have buily in music players such as MP3 players that provide the functionality to play digital music
Mviva is a WISP that offers a variety of services through your mobile phone. Services that Mviva offer include email, SMS, diary, shopping, share trading, betting and all the very latest sport and news
Network – The network is the company that handles your calls and provides you with services such as voicemail, SMS etc
O/S – Operating System, an interface that allows the user to interact with the computer
Pay as You Go – A payment scheme whereby credit vouchers are purchased in order to make telephone calls.
Pay monthly – A payment scheme whereby a 12 month contract is agreed between the customer and a network. A monthly line rental is paid for a tariff which usually includes free talktime minutes.
Pay Upfront – A payment scheme whereby a customer pays for 12 months line rental in advance. The network in return will offer free talktime minutes every month
PCMCIA – Personal Computer Memory Card International Association known as a PC Card
PCN Personal Communications Network. PCN runs at 1800mhz. Orange and One2One uses the PCN network.
PDA – Personal Digital Assistant a small device which allows you to store names, addresses and appointments at the touch of a button. PDA’s can also be used to read emails and access the internet (with a compatible phone).
Phonebook – A phonebook is a memory in the phone or on the SIM card that allows you to store frequently used numbers and add a name to identify each number. These numbers can then be dialled automatically.
Picture Messaging – Multimedia messaging is the next step of evolution for mobile phones. Most new mobiles can take pictures and the quality’s pretty good. It means you can catch the moment for posterity.
PIN – Personal Identification Number PIN is used as a security measure to prevent unauthorised users making calls
Portal – Another name for a WISP (Wap Internet Service Provider)
Predictive text messaging A type of phone software for text messaging that makes it easier. Writing a text message is usually long winded because several letters are contained on one number. This means you have to press once for A, twice for B, and so on. With predictive text messaging you do not have to.
PSTN – Public Switch Telephone Network system on which standard landline phones operate.
PsiWin – Software that allows a Psion and Windows PC to synchronise.
PUK – Personal Unblocking Key, if the PIN number has been entered incorrectly 3 times the phone will become blocked. To unblock the phone you need to obtain your 8 digit PUK number from your service provider
Radiofrequency (RF), the type of radiation emitted from a mobile phone
RAM – Random Access Memory
Roaming is a facility offered by the networks that allows you to use your mobile phone abroad. To enable the roaming facility you must contact your service provider SAR – Specific energy Absorption Rate Security Code is a number used to prevent unauthorised alteration of data programmed into the phone
Service Agreement is the contract/agreement a user enters to with the mobile phone operator. Service agreements usually include a monthly fee and free minutes
Service Provider is the company that bills you for your calls. Your Service Provider is also responsible for setting services up on your line such as roaming
SIM card – Subscriber Identity Module. The chip in the mobile phone which provides your unique information such as phone contacts etc
SIM lock – Software protection that sometimes stops you swapping your SIM card into a different handset
Smartphone – These combine the functions of a mobile phone and a handheld computer, allowing you to send and receive emails and documents as well as make calls. Smartphones have moved into the mainstream to become a product, such as a Blackberry, that you can buy on your local high street
SMS – Short Messaging Service that allows a user to send short text messages to other mobile users. Messages can be up to 160 characters and can be sent cross network
Standby – Time the length of time a phone is fully charged, turned on and ready to make and receive calls. Usually stated in hours
Stereo Bluetooth – The latest version of Bluetooth – also known as A2DP – can transfer stereo music files between two compatible devices
Talktime is the length of time a phone can be used to engage in a conversation. Usually stated in minutes
Tariff is the set of charges that apply depending to on what call plan you have chosen
Triband is a phone that is capable of operating on three frequency bands, 900mhz, 1800mhz and 1900mhz. A triband phone is needed to if you wish to use your phone in the USA
Upgrade – The process that allows a user to change their mobile phone once they have completed their initial 12 month contract. An upgrade charge usually applies plus the cost of the handset.
UMTS – Universal Mobile Telephone System, the name of the mobile network that replaced the GSM systems in 2002
Video Messaging – Some high specification mobiles have an integrated digital movie camera. Video messaging allows you to film something and send the clip to another compatible mobile phone. At the moment this service is only really available on the 3G network
Voice dial – Allows you to call someone just by saying their name. You have to save a recording of yourself doing it, so the phone has something to recognize
Voicemail is a service offered by networks that will take voice messages for you if you are unable to answer a call. Charges usually apply for retrieving messages
Voice memo – A voice recorder built into your phone to tape notes to yourself
WAP – Wireless Application Protocol, is a technical standard designed to allow the content of the Internet to be viewed on the screen of a mobile device such as mobile phones, personal organisers and pagers
WAPWorld – WAPWorld is an independent WAP gateway and portal offering you the world of the wireless web on your mobile phone
WIFI is another type of wireless connection. Compatible devices can connect wirelessly to the internet in WiFi hotspots. These are found at airports, coffee shops and many public buildings. The advantage being that can they provide Internet and phone access considerably cheaper than standard mobile phone tariffs.
WISP – Wap Internet Service Provider, a company that provides access to WAP content on the Internet
WML – Wireless Mark up Language is used to create WAP content.
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