Glossary

Antenna

Depending on the phone model antenna can be internal (hidden inside the case) or external (juts out the case). The antenna type is rather an element of design and in most cases does not influence the quality of connection.

Weight

Weight is far from being the last parameter, when you choose a mobile phone. It is not convenient to carry heavy models in a pocket, on the waist or in a handbag. All phones can be classified according to their weight:
- less than 75g – light phones
- from 75 to 110g – average weight
- over 110g – heavy phones

Camera

Depending on the phone model this feature allows recording video (with sound or without it) with duration from several seconds to a little over an hour. The reel can be saved and edited on computer or sent to friends by MMS. Leading producers of cell phones are constantly trying to improve quality and duration of shooting.

Standby time

Characteristic shows how long the phone can work with a completely charged accumulator, when you do not make any calls (when you make calls, much more energy is used). The more standby time is, the less charging time will be. In most cases the real time of work is less than it is indicated; it can either be connected with a zone of intermittent reception or with the frequent reregistration of the phone in the network (for example, when you are in metro). Moreover, considerable part of energy is used to highlight display. It is quite normal when stanby time is 4 - 5 days (5500 – 7000 minutes); stanby time from 6 days (85000) and more is considered to be quite long.

Max. hours talk

If you are going to talk for a long time, you should pay attention to this feature. It is quite normal when you are talking for 2-4 hours (120-250 minutes); when talk time is 5 hours (300 minutes) or more, it is considered to be quite long. Actual time of uninterrupted phone talk is usually less than it was determined, as the working time in a standby mode (look "Stanby time, min") depends on such factors as signal level and other.

Accumulator capacity

This feature shows working time without recharge. Usually the accumulator capacity varies from 380 to 1800 mA/h, which allows the phone work up to 10 days without recharging. Of course, frequency of phone use should be taken into consideration. For example, if you are going to talk about 30 minutes a day, send SMS, play games, use organizer, alarm and other functions, even the accumulator with maximum capacity will be enough only for a couple of days. Some models have an additional battery in the set, which allows increasing the autonomous working time of the phone.

Voice control

Voice control allows activating phone features (calculator, SMS, voice mail, WAP, games, and etc.) by saying feature name without typing. Voice names for different functions should be recorded by the owner in the phone memory beforehand.

Voice notes

This feature allows recording short voice notes (for instance, information that is difficult to remember) and reminding messages. In some models alarm can also be set for each of them.

Accumulator type

There are several accumulator types for mobile phones: nickel-cadmium (NiCd), nickel-metal-hydride (NiMH), lithium-ion (Li-Ion), lithium-polymeric (Li-Polymer). Accumulator defines not only working time of the phone without recharging, but also the life time of the very accumulator. NiMH and NiCd accumulators have a "memory effect", e.g. you can charge them only when they are completely discharged (otherwise, the accumulator with residual capacitance will not be charged completely, which will cause quick discharging). NiCd accumulators are almost in no use nowadays. Li-Ion and Li-Polymer accumulators are much more handy, as they have no "memory effect", and you can charge them any time. But they are more expensive than NiMh. Li-Polymer and Li-Ion accumulators have the same capacity, but Li-Polymer weight less, which influences their price. At the same time Li-Polymer accumulators are much more fragile, so you should prevent your phone from falling.

Operating System

Full name of the Operating System often contains the version number or year of issue. Usually, errors of the previous versions are corrected and additional improvements are made. In new phone models the following operating systems are used: Palm OS is an operating system developed by the Palm Company. A wide range of compatible programs, low requirements for main memory and low power consumption can be mentioned as its advantages, but at the same time the model has weak multimedia capacity. Pocket PC (or Windows Mobile) is a multifunctional operating system of the Microsoft Company. Its interface is similar to the Windows 9x. Pocket PC has strong capacities to develop, and it is aimed to work with multimedia applications. A considerable advantage of the system is compatibility of its files with Windows. Unlike Palm OS it requires more main memory. Symbian is a multitasking operating system, developed specially for mobile facilities. Its advantages are: good realization of packet datacom, IP-addressing and full Java support. On the basis of Symbian the Nokia Company developed several software platforms (Series 40, Series 60, Series 80, Series 90), which are widely used in mobile and smart phones of this company. SonyEricsson sometimes uses the interface UIQ that is also developed on the basis of Symbian. Linux is mostly used in mobile phones of Motorola. The main advantage of this operating system is accessibility of the code, and, as a consequence, low cost price of its software. Its weak point is low multimedia capacities. As the operating system is set in a process of production, it can not be changed, but there is a possibility to download so called insertion or new versions of operating systems.

Optic zoom

Zoom is realized by changing optical parameters of the object-glass, and unlike digital zoom it allows moving a picture close or away without changes in its quality. As a rule, optic zoom is set in modern photocameras, which allows making pictures of quite good quality.

Polyphony

The term "polyphony" means playback of several notes at the same time. Polyphonic melodies sound more vivid than monophonic ones, which are similar to the playing piano with just one finger: it is impossible to play another note, while the first is heard.

Photocamera resolution

It is a number of light-sensitive elements set on the matrix of the photocamera plugged in the phone.Mathematically it is a multiplication product of picture length and width (in pixels). For example, if we have a picture of 640x480 size, we talk about (640x480=307200) 0.3-pixel matrix. The more the number of pixels is, the higher the quality of pictures and color rendering is.

Memory slot

Stick slot considerably increases functionality of the phone. You can keep photographs, clips, MP3 music files and other useful information on a stick slot. There are several types of stick slots used in mobile phones. MuliMediaCard (MMC) was jointly developed by SanDisk and Siemens. A stick of this type is not big - 22x32x1.4 mm. It contains a memory controller and is highly compatible with the facilities of different types. Reduced-Size MultiMediaCard (RS-MMC) is a stick slot, which is two times shorter than a standard MMC stick (24x18x1.4 mm, weight about 6 g). To provide compatibility with a MMC standard it is necessary to use an adaptor. Secure Digital Card (SD Card) is supported by SanDisk, Panasonic and Toshiba. Its size (32x24x1.4 mm) and features are almost the same as size and features of MMC. The main difference between them is in technology of copyrights: SD has crypto protection against unendorsed copying, heightened protection of information from accidental deleting or destruction. Mini Secure Digital Card (miniSD) is a new flash stick of mini standard. It is smaller than a standard Secure Digital (21.5x20x1.4 mm). In devices with a SD-slot it can work with the help of adaptor. Micro Secure Digital Card (micro SD) is a very compact demountable flash stick. Its size is 11x15x1 mm. Cards of this format are used first of all in mobile phones, as their compact size allows to increase memory of the phone without influencing the size. Micro SD Cards are completely compatible with the facilities working on TransFlash (T-Flash) cards. It is supposed that the format TransFlash will be completely replaced by microSD. To provide compatibility of T-Flash and microSD cards with the facilities, which support SD standard, special SD-adaptors are produced. The standard of the Memory Stick Duo was developed by Sony on the basis of popular Memory Stick standard. It has a very durable case and small size (20x31x1.6 mm). At the moment it is the most expensive memory standard among the others. Dual Voltage Reduced-Size MultiMediaCards with double power supply (1.8 and 3.3 V) are noted for low power consumption, which allows the phone work a bit longer. This stick has the same size as RS-MMS.

Change panels

Possibility to change panels of the phone for the panels of the other color or panels with a pattern allows changing the appearance of the phone.

Case type

All mobile phones can be divided into several types by case type. Each type has its own characteristic features. Here are the main phone case types: classic, clamshell, flip, slider, clock, pen. Phones with classical case type usually have open display and keyboard. Clamshell has a big display with protection, when the phone is in a standby mode (when the phone is folded). Sometimes these phones have two displays – main and external. The main function of the folding lid is to protect the keyboard from accidental pressure, clogging and physical damage. Flipping case takes little place in assembled mode; it can easily be opened and closed with one hand. Mobile phone-clock looks like a watch and can be worn instead of it on the wrist. Cell phone-clock has an oblong case and looks like a thick ballpen.

Colors

Nowadays most part of cell phones has a multicolor display. Monochrome display is usually set up in cheap economy models. It is more comfortable and pleasant to use multicolor display. Its main disadvantage is that it is difficult to read information in bright daylight. The more colors and tints the display can reflect, the better information and color rendering is, and pictures look more natural.

Digital camera

Digital camera plugged in the phone allows making pictures or reels (in some models). The photographs made can be saved in the phone memory, put on a web-page or sent as MMS-message (see "MMS") to other mobile phones. Pictures can also be used as wallpapers for the phone display. Despite stable progress of mobile market the photocamera considerably yields to the self-maintained digital camera. But on the other hand, phone camera can be with you any moment, and many unexpected and interesting pictures can be taken.

BlueTooth

Bluetooth technology based on radio communication for short distances (about 10 m) allows setting up high-speed wireless communication of the phone with desktop PC, portable and pocket computers, and other facilities, which support Bluetooth standard. Using wireless communication with a computer you can download new logos and melodies, receive and send e-mail post, realize data synchronization between the phone and the computer (for example, exchange notes of the phone book). A cell phone with Bluetooth support can be used as a modem for portable or pocket computer (if the phone supports GPRS standard). It is very convenient to use Bluetooth-headset fixed on the ear, which allows answering the calls from 10 m distance from the phone. It is very important for safety and comfort of drivers. Another advantage of the Bluetooth standard is the absence of any wires by connection, and, moreover, it is not necessary for both devices to be in the field of vision. Besides, Bluetooth-headsets developed by different companies are quite compatible (for example, Nokia and Sony-Ericsson). Its main disadvantage is that it works on rather short distances and uses radio-waves with 2.45 GHz frequency. This frequency is also used by most modern wireless systems of industrial, scientific and medical purpose, which increases the possibility of interference.

GSM 1800

GSM 1800 is a digital standard of mobile connection with the frequency range from 1710 to 1880 MHz. This standard is widely used in Europe, Russia, Australia and Pacific Asian countries. When you buy a cell phone, it is necessary to clear up, which standard is used by local operators, as a phone with a standard GSM 1800 will not function within a network of GSM 900 (see “GSM 900”). That is why dual-range phones GSM 900/1800 are most popular. When you switch the phone on, it determines the frequency of better signal and selects it itself.

GSM 1900

GSM 1900 is a digital standard of mobile connection with the frequency 1900 MHz. This standard is widely used in the USA and Canada. That is why if you want to use your phone in these countries, it must support GSM 1900 standard.

GSM 900

GSM 900 is a digital standard of mobile connection with the frequency range from 890 to 960 MHz. This standard is widely spread in Europe, Asia and Russia. It is also used by almost all European providers. It would be better if the phone could support GSM 900 standard as well as GSM 1800, as in case of some interferences at the frequency of 900 MHz, the phone could switch over to the frequency 1800 MHz.

EDGE

EDGE is a mobile connection technology of the third generation that supports data communications at the speed up to 384 Kbit/s (compare: the speed of datacom by the GPRS channel is up to 118 Kbit/s). This standard can be introduced in already existing networks: GSM 800, 900, 1800 and 1900 MHz. It can also supplement the technology UMTS (WCDMA). EDGE gives the opportunity to use new servers based on high-speed datacom.

EMS

EMS (Enhanced Messaging Service) is Technology of sending and receiving of messages, which consist of formatted text, pictures (including animated), melodies and tunes. With the help of this technology you can create and send your friends colorful postcards with animated pictures and music. If EMS-message was sent to the phone, which does not support this standard, the addressee will receive only text message. It should be also mentioned that EMS-messages exchange is not always possible between the phone models of different producers. To send and receive EMS-messages it is necessary that both cell phone and operator support this technology.

FM radio

In some models there is a possibility to listen to the radio in FM range. Usually these phones have a special FM-headset, which not only functions as a usual Hands Free, but also allows switching radio stations with the "answer key". During the incoming call radio is cut off for the time of talk and after it is put automatically on.

GPRS

GPRS (General Packed Radio Service) is a batch communication service through the radiochannel. Its projected speed is 64 Kbit/s; theoretically reachable speed is 115 Kbit/s. In practice the speed is 48 Kbit/s. Transfer rate depends on base stations' occupancy and signal recept level. The essence of GPRS service is to create permanent connection of GPRS-phone to Internet. The subscriber can make and receive calls without cutting off connection with Internet (but this function depends on the GPRS-class. It should be mentioned that in Russia it is impossible to talk and send/get information at the same time, though the connection will not be cut off. The point is that the call (when you answer) has a higher priority, and datacom will be stopped for a calling time). The main advantage of GPRS is that you pay not for the time of the connection, as the phone is connected to the network permanently, but for the information content sent/received. If you are not going to connect your phone to any facilities, the main sphere of GPRS use will be view of WAP or HTML-pages and sending MMS. Moreover, this service allows downloading logos, melodies and etc. GPRS-phone can also be used as a modem (and the phone must support the "modem" function) to provide access to the Global Network.

Hands Free

This feature allows talking without holding a phone in hands – for example, you can put it next to you on the table. At the same time a plugged microphone and loud speaker are used to reproduce the voice. "Loud connection" is very convenient when you have to talk and drive at the same time.

HSCSD

HSCSD (High Circuit Switched Data) is a channel of high-speed datacom through the networks with the channel commutation. Unlike GPRS, where the packet switching protocol is used, HSCSD is based on channel communication. That is why this protocol is for the streaming datacom, for example, when the phone is in the mode of videoconference. Nowadays the HSCSD protocol is not so widespread; it is used only by several operators: it is considered to be an intermediate stage of the introduction of more powerful technologies of radio transmission, as GPRS.

HTML browser

With the help of Web-browser you can look through usual html-pages in Internet. Compare: a cell phone with WAP support can show only specially optimized pages of WML or XHTML formats.

IrDA

If a cell phone has Infrared port (IrDA), you can establish wireless connection with any devices, which also have IrDA (Portable, pocket PC, modem, etc.) or which are located in direct visibility from the phone. Using connection with the computer you can download new logos and melodies, synchronize data between the devices (for example, exchange phonebook or calendar entries, control receiving and sending of SMS-messages right from the computer). A cell phone with IrDA can also be used as a modem for the portable or pocket computer (if a phone supports GPRS standard). This way of connection is very convenient as it is wireless, but desktop PC is not supplied with IrDA – to connect a computer with a cell phone you should install a special IR adaptor.

Java MIDP

Support Java applications or so called Midlets, i. e. programs written on Java language. In the phone memory there is a definite number of applications like calendar, clock and several games. If your cell phone supports Java language, you can download new Java-applications from Internet (for example, through WAP Browser). There can be called such examples of Java-applications as games, notebooks, subway maps, English-Russian phrase-books, converter, clock that shows time in different countries and etc. Thus, the Java technology makes the phone more personalized and gives an opportunity to select applications according to the owner’s wish. There are many sites on the Internet where you can find different Java-applications, from games to assistant-programs.

MMS

MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service) is a service of short multimedia message exchange based, unlike SMS, on GPRS technology. The service allows receiving and sending full color pictures, photographs, melodies and even reels. Unlike EMS-messages - text messages with attached graphic pictures and melodies (see "EMS") - the MMS technology gives the opportunity to insert graphics and melodies right in the text, so that the addressee could see the picture and listen to the music at the same time (in EMS text, sound and graphics can not be used at once). If you send the MMS-message on the phone without MMS support, the addressee will receive it in some other way: if a phone has WAP browser, the addressee will see a link of the address where the message is saved; if a phone has no WAP browser, the owner will receive the SMS-message with the URL-address, and the MMS-message can be read on PC. Almost all modern phones with color display and GPRS support has the MMS feature. To send or receive an MMS-message, it is necessary that both the phone or the operator support MMS.

MP3

MP3 is one of the most widely used formats for audio-information storage. In the phone memory you can download MP3-file with any melody, short music fragment or sound and use a sound for incoming calls. A cell phone with MP3-player allows doing without other portable audio-technique and save space in your pocket. MP3 files can be downloaded from the computer. It should be noted that embedded memory is sometimes not enough for this purpose, that is why it would be better to have a capacious stick (from 256 Mb to 1 GB).

Push-to-talk

Touch screen allows choosing different options in the menu by pushing particular areas of the display. Usually a special pointer – stylus is used. It prevents the display from damage. Almost all smart phones have touch screens. If you are going to use your phone as an organizer, touch screen will be very useful for you.

T9 mode

T9 mode is a system of intuitive text entry (developed by Tegic), which makes it easier to create a new message. Cell phones with T9 mode in a process of typing "foresee" what you are going to type. As you do not have to choose letters separately, pushing the key for several times, the number of necessary operations considerably decreases.

USB

Possibility to connect to the computer using USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface. USB is the most convenient way of connection. All modern portables and desktop computers are supplied with it. The datacom speed (USB 1.1 has 1.5 Mb/s) is enough to download large multimedia files.

WAP

Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) is a wireless access protocol to the informational and service resources of Internet directly from the mobile phone. WAP specifications are developed by wapforum.org, which includes all important participants of telecommunication service market. The main advantage of WAP is that you do not need extras (computer and modem) to work online, a cell phone with WAP support is quite enough. WAP-sites are located on web-servers and represented in a special format Wireless Markup Language. This language of markup is adapted to the capacities of mobile phones – two-color graphics, small display and low-capacity memory. Nowadays there are two versions of WAP-browsers used in cell phones: 1.2.1 and 2.0. With a phone that has WAP 1.2.1 support you can see weather forecasts, schedule of TV-programs, read latest news, etc. WAP 1.2.1 does not influence the price of the phone, but allows to access Internet when it is necessary. WAP browser 2.0 is considerably advanced compared to the standard Web-browser, which is used in desktop computers. It is based on XHTML language (eXtended HyperlongMarkup Language) – a type of standard HTML language. WAP 2.0 is compatible with previous versions. The standard WAP 2.0 has the MMS support, and browser allows looking through and sending MMS-messages. If you pay special attention to mobile Internet, choose a cell phone with WAP 2.0 support.

WCDMA

WCDMA (Wideband Code Division Multiple Access) is a broadband multistation access with a code division of channels. WCDMA networks are built on GSM networks and work parallel: old clients use GSM networks, and new ones either GSM or WCDMA. Customer terminal is switched between the networks automatically, and it is possible to switch from one network to another without connection interruptions. The main advantage of WCDMA is high speed of datacom: theoretically - up to 2 Mbit/s, in practice – 384 Kbit/s (compare: max. theoretical speed of GPRS is 115 Kbit/s, projected speed is 64 Kbit/s, and in practice 48 Kbit/s). Moreover, it is possible to set up mobile videotelephone communication and download audio- and video-files. It should be mentioned that WCDMA support makes a cell phone more expensive. CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) is a system of multiple-key access with a code division. It is widely used in Northern and Latin America, Europe (less) and countries of the Middle East. This standard is characterized by perfect quality of sound and low level of background noise. Higher capacity of the system, which is 3 – 5 times more than at GPRS, is defined by max. possible active users of the system on the territory of coverage area. Use of control mechanism for capacity and speech activity decreases disturbances that influence system capacity and other factors. As a result phone subscribers do not suffer from blocking of the calls in hours of max. network load. But most important distinction of phones with CDMA support is low output, which is less than 10 mW. It is much less than in GSM networks. Such low demands to the capacity allow using portable facilities without recharge much longer. CDMA uses unique code for each call, which helps protect private information. Cell phones of CDMA 450 standard function on the frequency of 450 MHz, and phones of CDMA 800 standard – on the frequency of 800 MHz correspondingly. When you choose a cell phone you should find out whether your future provider supports its standard and frequency.