Mobile is becoming needs of each individual. There are many terminology related to mobile phone which is not commonly known to users. This section has been created to make reader aware about mobile terminology. These terminologies will be useful to understand the handset feature based on usage.

We have been hearing from last 1 year that 3G will change the market but still it is not deployed all across the towns in India.

3G supported networks require 3G enabled handsets which support Video calling and higher data rates as compared to 2G Handset.

Aim here is to make readers aware about these terminology and handset features:

2G - Originally GSM, CDMA and TDMA Network comes under the 2G. It uses the spectrum more effectively as compared to other analog systems and offer better services. 2G System supports data services having SMS Capability as well.

3G – Technologies such as UMTS, WCDMA are comes under the 3G Technology standards. Analogs phone has low data rates as compared to 3G. 3G includes high data speeds. Always on data access and good voice capacity.

Capacitive Touch Screen – Capacitive touch screen work by sensing the electrical properties of the human body instead of pressure. These touch screen are easily accessible with the finger and don’t work with stylus so they don’t allow handwriting recognition. Capacitive touch screen are more user friendly as compared to resistive also durable.

Resistive Touch Screen – Resistive touch screen work by sensing the direct pressure instead of electrical properties applied by the user. User may use it with the help of finger or stylus. Basically in resistive touch screen has touch layer placed on top of the standard display. Touch layer normally includes two transparent electrical layers separated by small gap. Pressing the display’s surface causes the two separate layers to come into the contact which actually creates electrical connection that can be sensed and located easily.

Video Call – This is Network come handset dependent feature that allows two callers to talk with each other while viewing video at the same time. To make video call, both user should have 3G Phones which support this feature and they both need to be in range of 3G Network.

GPS - GPS Stands for Global Positioning System, basically developed by the US, department of defense. GPS uses satellites on microwave signals. It allows to determine the current location, time and velocity of the object.

GPS is often use by the common men. It is basically based on coordinates derived with the help of software application. Time taken by GPS System to lock the location basically depend on start of GPS receiver. Three type of start are hot (when satellite remembers last location), warm (when device remembers last calculated position) and cold (when device dump all the information, attempts to locate satellites and then calculate a GPS lock, it take longest because there is no known information.

AGPS – AGPS stands for Assisted GPS. Normal GPS system may have problem in getting lock when signal is week due to interference and other environmental conditions. In such case A-GPS would assist in getting a lock.

This is achieved by using an assistance server so data connection is required and data charges will apply for whatever data is consumed during the usage.

Bluetooth – Bluetooth is a wireless protocol for exchanging the data over short range from fixed and mobile devices. It is used for transferring pictures, videos, and audios etcs. Stuff from one device to other.

There are two important properties of BT devices 1. Class - it signifies the distance at which Bluetooth connection is possible. Most of the devices are based on class 2, which means they have range up to 10m. Class 1 device is rare and have range up to 100 feet. 2. Profile - it is type of Bluetooth connection. Most common are the headset and hands free profile that enables the connection between two Bluetooth devices. Other profiles are OBEX (object push) which allows transfer of files, contacts and events A2DP which adds support for streaming of stereo sound and AVRC which allows the remote control of playback.

DRM - DRM stands for Digital Rights Management. It manages the use of copyright protected data such as Music, graphics, video etcs. It restricts the copying of protected data on other media such as CD, DVD or even system. Etcs.

i-DEN –  IDEN stands for Integrated Digital Enhanced Network, it is TDMA based digital mobile network system. Main advantafe of Iden is the Push to talk system which enables mobile phones to be used as walkie-talkies. Only few phone support both features.

MIDI – MIDI stands for Musical Instrument Digital Interface. MIDI files keeps the information that describes the instruments, notes and timings of the music. These files commonly used as mobile phone ringtones before the support for the MP3/AAC standard widely adopted.

Mass storage - Mode which allows the compatibility between phone and PC’s and be used as removable storage drive without the need for any special drivers.

PS Sync – A feature which allows user to connect the mobile phone to computer via cable or wirelessly and synchronize contact information, calendar and notes between phone and a specific computer application for example MS Outlook etcs.

Smartphone – A Smartphone is a term used to describe a category of mobile devices with computer like functionality.  Devices support complete operating system and have platform for application developers.

An application written for a specific platform usually works on any smartphone using the same platform. Smartphone have larger displays and faster processors.

Wi-Fi – Wi-Fi stands for wide fidelity and it is wireless local area network technology. It provide short range wireless high speed data connection between mobile data devices and nearby Wi-Fi access points/

Mi-Fi is much faster than any data technologies operating through the cellular network like GPRS, EDGE and even UMTS and HSDPA. Range covered by Wi-Fi access point is from 30 to 100 meters indoors while outdoors a single access point can cover about 650 meters.

Mi-Fi - It is line of compact wireless routers that acts as mobile hotspot. Mi-Fi can be connected to a mobile carrier and provide internet access for up to 5 devices. It works at a distance up to 10m or 30 and will provide the internet or network access to any Wi-Fi enabled peripheral device.

TFT – It stands for Thin Film Transistors, it is one of the best liquid crystal display technologies in terms of image quality and response time, drawback it consumes more power and more expensive.

Like TFD it is an active matrix technology. This means a transistor is located next to each pixel, allowing it to be turned on and off individually. This ensures faster response time and greater contrast.

OLED – It stands for Organic Light –Emitting Diode) A display technology that consist of small dots organic polymer which emit light when charged with electricity. OLED are lighter thinner, brighter and require less power have better viewing angle and response time for video and animation. They are much cheaper and easy to manufacture.

AMOLED Display – it stands for Active-Matrix organic light emitting diode. It is an emerging display technology used in case of portable devices like mobile phones. They provide the same performance as their passive matrix OLED counterparts, but they consume less power. This Advantage makes active matrix OLEDs well suited for portable electronics where battery power consumption is important.