Mobile Glossary
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The mobile web can be confusing, with new terms coming along every day. Bookmark this page and come back to it when you need to sound smart. We won’t tell.
Click on the terms below to go straight to the definition.
| .mobi | GPS | Ringback Tone |
| 3G | iMode | Ringtone |
| 802.11 | iPhone | Smartphone |
| Bluetooth | LBS | SMS |
| BREW | Moblogging | Symbian |
| CDMA | MMS | VOIP |
| CTIA | Monophonic | WAP |
| DHTML | Polyphonic | WML |
| dotmobi | Prepaid Wireless |
.mobi
Sites with a .mobi extension must pass a formatting standard designed to improve the user experience for those browsing from a wireless device.
3G
3G is short for the new third generation of mobile communications. 3G phones feature new services such as high speed Internet access, video / audio streaming and downloads and video calling. Only certain phones are currently available with 3G services, please check the individual phone specifications for details and check www.webmap.o2.co.uk for 3G coverage.
802.11
Defined by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), 802.11 includes a number of wireless specifications detailing the techincal interface between various devices to optimize data flow.
Bluetooth
Often used with wireless headsets, Bluetooth is a short-range wireless technology designed to connect mobile phones, PDAs, laptops, mobile accessories, and other devices.
BREW
Developed by QUALCOMM, BREW (Binary Runtime Environment for Wireless) is a software development platform which enables mobile application developers to provide CDMA-compatible applications. QUALCOMM pioneered this effort to increase the number of CDMA-enabled applications.
CDMA
CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) is a wireless technology which, instead of delineating users by frequency, utilizes spread spectrum to seperate users through the use of digital frequency codes across the full available spectrum. Alternatives to CDMA include GSM and TDMA.
CTIA
The Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association is the international organization that aims to represent all elements of wireless communication — cellular, personal communications services, enhanced specialized mobile radio and mobile satellite services — and serve the interests of service providers, manufacturers and others.
DHTML
Dynamic HTML involves combining the use of HTML with client-side scripting technology, such as JavaScript, which creates a dynamic web site.
dotMobi
dotMobi is an organization providing support and education around the use of the .mobi domain name extension.
GPS
A Global Positioning System device utilizes a series of orbitting satellites to pinpoint the location of a particular person or device. These satellites use longitude and latitude information to provide the general proximity, usually within a few hundred feet.
iMode
A popular wireless Internet service rolled out in 1999 by NTT DoCoMo Inc. in Japan. It’s based on a simplified form of HTML and delivers packet-based information — such as games, e-mail and even business applications — to handheld devices.
iPhone
Apple’s new mobile phone, the much-anticipated iPhone is scheduled to debut in June 2007. The Apple iPhone will be offered through Cingular Wireless (now together with AT&T) in the US.
Location Based Services (LBS)
Location based services (LBS) are appearing in a growing number of applications which use longitude and latitude coordinates to physically locate a person or device, often a mobile phone or GPS device. LBS enabled devices typically include a GPS chip.
Moblogging
Blogging using your mobile phone. Several services exist that allow you to post to a blog or receive alerts when readers make a comment.
Multi Media Messaging (MMS)
Messaging format with the ability to transmit rich media messages including text, pictures, sounds, and images. Many newer cell phone models now incude MMS capabilities.
Monophonic
Monophonic ringtones are very basic ringtones comprised of a series of beeps at varying frequencies, and which often sound like those coming from a computer. Most mobile phones have come with monophone ringtones for some time now.
Polyphonic
Polyphonic ringtones provide a richer sound experience than monophonic ringtones, and can often sound close to CD-like quality. Most popular cell phone models now support polyphonic ringtones.
Prepaid Wireless Plan
A prepaid wireless plan enables customers to pay for service in advance. These prepaid wireless services allow customers to control their wireless budget ahead of time, and is popular with parents.
Ringback Tone
A ringback tone, which is a newer innovation, is the sound you hear when you have called someone and are waiting for that person to answer the call. Many cell phone plans today include the ability for customers to customize the ringback tone that others will hear when calling them.
Ringtone
A ringtone is the sounds you hear on your mobile phone when you have an incoming call. Monophonic and polyphonic ringtones are two of the most common types. There are many services which let you purchase or even make your own ringtones.
Smartphone
A mobile phone that includes processing cacpabilities much like that of a computer. Most smartphones come complete with some type of keyboard, organizer software, camera, and other advanced technology.
SMS
Short Message Service allows the transmission of short text messages among mobile devices such as cell phones, fax machines and BlackBerry devices. Messages — up to 160 alphanumeric characters but not containing images or graphics — appear as text on the display screen of the receiving device.
Symbian
A mobile operating system for smartphones. Symbian is a joint venture among Nokia, Ericsson, Panasonic, Samsung, and Siemens. According to its website, Symbian maintains 72.5% of the world market share of smartphone operating systems.
VOIP
Voice over Internet Protocol is a system for delivering digitized voice communications across IP networks. VoIP technology allows phone calls to be placed between handsets or on computers with the necessary software.
WAP
Developed and promoted by the WAP forum, the Wireless Application Protocol is a specification that lets developers build applications for cell phones and mobile devices.
WML
Similar to the web equivalent, HTML, Wireless Markup Language (WML) is a programming format which enables the rendering of content to small wireless devices, such as mobile phones and PDAs. WML files normally include a .wml extension, and are often used in tandem with the WAP specficiation.