Glossary

3G: 3rd Generation: the currently emerging standard of phone technology. This uses smaller-range transmitters than the current mobile network (GSM) for high data rates, allowing video calling and full web browsing. The download speeds are up up to 7 times faster than that of GPRS
Blackberry: Wireless email device, especially useful to businesses, providing a push email service with an out-of-the-box solution. Blackberry devices vary, but tend to have full QWERTY keyboards and manual, rapid scrolling ability. They are specifically engineered to be a dedicated email device, and work very well as such. See also: XDA.
Bluetooth: A wireless data transmission standard. Bluetooth-enabled devices can exchange information with other such devices within a short range. General examples include wireless mice, keyboards and peripherals for PCs. Bluetooth phones utilise the technology to allow data transfer (to other phones/PCs) and to wirelessly connect to Bluetooth car kits.
Data Card: A laptop slot-in adapter which, combined with your SIM card, allows you to dial out from your laptop using your mobile phone account (providing email and internet access). Ideal for business trips and mobile offices.
Dual Band: Mobile phones capable of operating on two frequency bands, namely 900MHz and 1800MHz.
GPRS: General Packet Radio Service. A system that works over the current widespread (2nd generation) GSM mobile phone network. GPRS offers an 'always-on' connection, and higher speeds than the standard mobile phone WAP service. It allows full-fledged internet-based content: namely e-mail, colour web browsing, and MMS. Note: since GPRS is 'always-on', its charges relate to quantities of data transferred rather than connection time. More information on data sizes is available here.
GPS: Global Positioning System, the system used to track the location of things by satellite. Most new cars come with a GPS system and on-board computer for navigation.
GSM: General System for Mobile, the current mobile phone network system. GSM is the de facto standard in Europe and Asia, and is available in over 100 countries.
HTML: HyperText Markup Language: the format used to display web pages (hypertext). It is usually viewed on computers, by using web browser programs such as Firefox and Internet Explorer. This page you are reading is in HTML (or rather, it's actually XHTML).
IMEI: International Mobile Equipment Identifier - a 15-digit identifier number, unique to each handset. IMEIs are typically written on the handset's reverse, under the battery. It may be displayed on-screen by entering the system code: *#06#. (This is not a network service, and does not cost).
Infra-red Transfer: A handset feature that allows (free) data swapping between phones, computers, and other devices. Works only at short range (phones must be lined up on a level surface, within inches of each other.) This is not a chargeable network transmission.
Memory: A 'space' for storing information within a digital device. Phone handsets typically use their memory to store phone numbers, text messages, and pictures. They are also increasingly being used to store MP3s for use as ring-tones, and other media, such as video.
Memory capacities (and file sizes that take it up) are generally expressed in bytes, kilobytes, and megabytes. These units are not really complicated. For those unfamiliar with them, find out more about data sizes here.
MMS: Multimedia Messaging Service, a messaging system extended beyond the abilities of usual text messages (SMS). MMS allows video and picture messaging. It costs roughly 25p per message, though this varies between networks and tariffs.
MP3: A data file format for storing a CD-quality music track in a highly compressed form. This widespread standard is used in digital music players, removing the need for discs. Recently released phone models also support mp3 playback, especially for ringtones.
PAC: Port Authorisation Code. A code number required to authorise transfer ("porting") of your current mobile number onto a new account. PACs must be requested from your existing service provider, and are generally valid for 30 days.
PDA: Personal Digital Assistant, a general name for a handheld/pocket computer, also known as a 'palmtop'. Examples include iPaq, PocketPC, and Palm Pilot. PDAs typically use a stylus and touch-screen and provide features (eg personal organiser, clock, date/address book, calculator, task lists, handwriting recognition and memo pad) in a cut-down operating system like Windows Mobile or Palm OS. PDAs also run cut-down versions of application programs such as Word, Excel, Adobe Acrobat, HTML browsers and games.
PIM: Personal Information Management, the system of storing personal details such as calendar and phone book, on your phone.
PIN: Personal Idenfication Number, a 4-digit secret number which, when enabled, secures your phone handset against use by anyone who does not know the number.
PUK: Personal Unblocking Key. Phones become blocked if the PIN number is incorrectly entered 3 times. The 8-digit PUK number is required to unblock it, and is available from your network provider (or Atlas will sort it out for you!)
Push Email: Systems which direct emails straight into your mobile device without the need to dial out and explicitly retrieve them.
Polyphonic Ringtone: As opposed to old-style monophonic ringtones. Polyphonic tones allow a range of instrument sounds; like a kind of limited MIDI sequence. This allows for more elaborate ringing noises than the previous, outdated tones which were simply beeps.
Quad Band: Mobile phones capable of operating on four frequency bands (for use in different countries). Quad Band includes the tri-band frequencies (900, 1800 and 1900MHz) and additionally the 850MHz band, used in the USA.
Roaming: A phone's ability to search through, identify and use a different network system when entering a foreign country. When outside the range of its native network, a phone can still operate by using compatible networks abroad. While this is happening, different charges apply for making/receiving calls, receiving voicemail messages, and other services. Consult your network's tariff guidelines for specific details.
SIM: Subscriber Identity Module: a tiny, chip-bearing card which contains your telephone's 'identity' - including your phone number, PIN, phone book, and other core data. A SIM card can be moved from phone to phone as it contains all the key information required to activate your phone.
"Smartphone": A general term describing any device which is a combination of a mobile phone and a PDA. Smartphones differ from normal phones in that they have an operating system and local storage, so that the user or corporation can add information and applications to the phone as they could with a PDA. The term 'Smartphone' includes such devices as Blackberrys and O2's XDA range.
SMS: Short Messaging Service - commonly known as text messaging, allows the transmission/receipt of short messages (160 characters) to other devices which support the service. All mobile phones provide this service. Each message costs 12p on most networks, although different messaging tariffs are available.
Standby Time: The duration for which a fully charged handset can remain switched on before it runs out of battery power. This is a loose measure for how long the battery will last, but note that standby time does not include the usage of power for any phone features. Factors it does not account for (but which greatly reduce the battery charge) include: making/receiving calls, playing games, taking photographs, or using a backlit display screen.
Streaming: Referring to audio or video feeds, 'streaming' means viewing/listening to a file without having to download the entire (huge) file beforehand. In other words, you start watching the content almost immediately, while the remainder continues to download on-the-fly. A few seconds of look-ahead download (known as 'buffering') is required when a stream starts. This helps for smooth continuation if slight errors occur (eg when the network is busy). This is how 3G devices handle video content.
Talk time: Like 'standby time', this is a vague measure of a handset's battery performance. Talk time is the length of time you can talk (either send or receive a call) before your battery runs down. This value is usually expressed in minutes, since making/receiving calls drains a large amount of power.
Tri-Band: Mobile phones capable of operating on three frequency bands (for use in different countries). Tri-band includes 900MHz and 1800MHz and the 'American GSM' (aka PCS) 1900MHz.
UMTS: Universal Mobile Telecommunications System: one of the standards of 3G technology. It uses WCDMA as its underlying standard. UMTS is sometimes marketed as "3GSM", emphasizing the combination of the 3G nature of the technology and the GSM standard which it was designed to supersede. Real UMTS use gives expected performance of up to 384 kbps.
WAP: Wireless Application Protocol. A stripped-down internet-site transfer protocol which allows specially tailored web content to be viewed on any WAP-enabled mobile phone handset. This works over a normal mobile phone call (that is, on the GSM network), meaning the speed of delivery and the amount of content is limited. This was the only web page system available on mobile devices before the development of GPRS.
WLAN: Wireless LAN.
WCDMA: Wideband Code Division Multiple Access, one of the standards of 3G technology. This is a data channeling standard that can provide speeds in the range 144 kbps up to roughly 2mbps.
XDA: A highly customisable smartphone device. XDA is provided by O2. The first XDA model has been superseded by the improved XDA2 and XDA2i. Unlike Blackberry, XDAs are not directly tailored for one purpose, and can be adapted for a large variety of tasks. However, this can limit the amount of support retailers are able to provide.
XHTML: Extensible HTML. A 'well-behaved' type of HTML (built like XML, a more rigid markup language). By conforming to rigid standards, XHTML can be processed more simply than usual 'messy' HTML, and hence can be viewed by lightweight browser programs like those on mobile phones.