Mobile Phone Glossary

A comprehensive list of mobile / wireless -related terms

# – B

jump around #–B, C–G, H–M, N–R, S–T, U–Z

3G (Third Generation): The 3rd Generation (3G) mobile devices and services will transform wireless communications into on-line, real-time transfer of information, regardless of time and place. You will be able to send electronic postcards with images, and you can even have a live videoconference using your 3G mobile communication device.
Alert Tones: Shorter version of ringtones that can be used to signal an incoming SMS message or as a substitute for a longer, more intrusive ringtone.
Alphanumeric: Consisting of letters, numbers and characters, as in an alphanumeric message, that may be received by some wireless phones, as well as sent and received by newer wireless phone models and wireless communicators.
Audio Tones: Tones of people speaking and making different noises as well as sounds like telephones and sirens. They are supported by a limited number of phones.
Bling: To have the quality of exceptionally shiny jewlery (usually platinum or gold) or other objects (such as car tire rims); the shine produced by aforementioned objects is referred to as the 'bling' ALT FORMS: bling-bling - A reference to the extreme blinging of a noun. ; bling-o-ling - Same as bling-bling. USAGE: That chain is bling bling my brotha!
Blue Tooth: Bluetooth is a computing and telecommunications industry specification that describes how mobile phones, computers, and personal digital assistants can easily interconnect with each other using a short-range wireless connection. Bluetooth requires that a transceiver chip be included in each device.
BREW (Binary Runtime Environment for Wireless): An acronym for Binary Runtime Environment for Wireless. The BREW client works with PhonePimp and your mobile provider to ensure that our content runs smoothly on your phone. If your carrier is Verizon Wireless, Cellular One, Metro PCS, Alltel, Midwest Wireless, Cellular South, or US Cellular then chances are you have a BREW-enabled phone (please note this is not an exhaustive list). Please remember, BREW-enabled phones cannot purchase directly through our website.

C – G

jump around #–B, C–G, H–M, N–R, S–T, U–Z

CDMA: Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) is one of several digital wireless transmission methods in which signals are encoded using a pseudo-random sequence - which corresponds to a different communication channel - that the receiver also knows and can use to decode the received signal. CDMA is one of several "spread spectrum" techniques. CDMA offers improvements over analog transmission in the areas of reduced call dropping, battery power conservation, more secure transmission and increased service options.
Credit: Credits can be purchased on the PhonePimp.com website and offer substantial savings when compared to purchasing items one at a time.
EMS: Enhanced Messaging Service (EMS) is an adaptation of the Short Message Service (SMS) that allows users to integrate text, melodies, pictures, sounds, and animations to enhance the expressive power of messages.
G: 1. a loyal person, a good friend, your 'G'. USAGE: PhonePimp "Wasssssup G?" G "nada, pimping"
Get it Now: A technology and service that allows users to download and use applications their Verizon Wireless Get It Now-enabled phone.
Ghetto: That which is not highly cultured or regarded is said to be ghetto. Anything not pop culture can also be said as ghetto. This is not necessarily an insult, but is most often miscontrued as one. USAGE: If your VCR has a hood latch on it and pops up like "BOOM!", it's ghetto.
GPRS: General Packet Radio Services (GPRS) is a packet-based wireless communication service that promises data rates from 56 up to 114 Kbps and continuous connection to the Internet for mobile phone and computer users. As GPRS becomes available, mobile users of a virtual private network will be able to access the private network continuously rather than through a Dial-up connection.
Graphics: Also called wallpaper or screen savers, these are photos and pictures which can be downloaded to your phone to personalize the face of your phone.
GSM: Global System for Mobile Communications or GSM is the digital transmission technique widely adopted in Europe and supported in North America for PCS. GSM uses the 1900 MHz. GSM uses 900 MHz and 1800 MHz in Europe.

H – M

jump around #–B, C–G, H–M, N–R, S–T, U–Z

i-Mode: i-Mode is the packet-based service for mobile phones offered by Japan's leader in wireless technology, NTT DoCoMo. First introduced in 1999, i-Mode was the world's first smart phone for Web browsing. The i-Mode wireless data service offers colour and video over many phones.
Infrared: Infrared refers to energy in the region of the electromagnetic radiation spectrum at wavelengths longer than those of visible light, but shorter than those of radio waves. Infrared is used in a variety of wireless communications, monitoring, and control applications.
Messaging: A feature on PhonePimp that allows you to send SMS's to your friends and family for free.
mMode: AT&T's GSM network which offers a range of content including games, tones, and graphics.
Mobile Game (also: Mobile Video Game; Wireless Game: Any video game that is downloaded to, installed and played on a wireless, handheld device
Monophonic Tones: The industry name for PhonePimp' Standard Ringtones.

N – R

jump around #–B, C–G, H–M, N–R, S–T, U–Z

Palm: Palm is the trade name for a popular Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a form of handheld device that that is also known as a palmtop computer.
PCS (Personal Communications Service): Personal Communications Service (or System). Generally, a marketing term used to describe a wide variety of two-way digital wireless service offerings operating at 1900 MHz. PCS services include next generation wireless phone and communication services, wireless local loop, inexpensive walk-around communications service with lightweight, low-powered handsets, in-building cordless voice services for business, in-building wireless LAN service for business, enhanced paging service as well as wireless services integrated with wired networks. A Personal Communications System refers to the hardware and software that provide communications services.
PDA (Personal Digital Assistant): A term for any small mobile hand-held device that provides computing and information storage and retrieval capabilities. Most PDAs have a small keyboard or an electronically sensitive pad on which hand writing can be received.
Phone Gawkin: The situation in which a person or persons slow down in the presence of pimped out phones with the intent to look at how the playa has pimped out their phone. This situation can be generalized to any situation in which a person intentionally slows down to look at something which is big time pimped. USAGE: Chester was phone gawkin at that playa's pimped out cellio.
PhonePimp: 1. A playa who uses his/her phone to shout out "Check out my pimped out cellio" 2. Someone who shows that which is good, profitable or acceptable with a cell phone is known as being a 'phone pimp.' 2. Pimp my phone beeeyotch, with the PhonePimp. MP3 Ringtones, Phone Games, Wallpapers and Ring Tones for your mobile phone.
Pocket PC: A Microsoft operating system designed specifically for PDAs and other hand held devices.
Polyphonic Tones: Multiple instruments layered over one another to achieve a richer tone.
Premium SMS: A feature available to AT&T and Cingular users which allows you to purchase PhonePimp' content through SMS and have the charges appear on your mobile phone bill.

S – T

jump around #–B, C–G, H–M, N–R, S–T, U–Z

SIM Card: A Subscriber Identity Module is a card commonly used in a GSM phone. The card holds a microchip that stores information and encrypts voice and data transmissions, making it close to impossible to listen in on calls. The SIM card also stores data that identifies the caller to the network service provider.
Smartphone: The term smartphone has special computer-enabled features not previously associated with telephones. Extra functions include Wireless email, Internet, Web browsing, Intercom function, Personal information management, Online banking, Data transfer between phone set and computers and interactivity with unified messaging.
SMS (Short Message Service): A service for sending messages of up to 160 characters to mobile phones that use Global System for Mobile (GSM) communication. SMS messages do not require the mobile phone to be active and within range. They can also be sent from a website.
Standard Tones: A simple tone that involves only one melodic line.
Symbian: Symbian is a bold new venture formed by Nokia, Ericsson, Motorola, and Psion to create easy to use operating systems for wireless devices and personal digital assistants (PDAs). The first operating system is called EPOC and was launched earlier this year.
TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access): Time Division Multiple Access is one of several technologies used in digital wireless transmissions that increases the efficiency of the network by allowing a greater number of simultaneous transmissions. Networks using TDMA assign 6 timeslots for each frequency channel. Devices using the wireless network send bursts of information that are reassembled at the receiving end.
Tired Phone: A cellular phone that is played out, old, weak, washed up. Wanna-be pimps carry tired phones.
True Tones: Ringtones created by MP3 versions of actual songs.
t-zones: T-Mobile's version of the mobile web platform for its subscribers.

U – Z

jump around #–B, C–G, H–M, N–R, S–T, U–Z

Vision: Sprint PCS's wireless service which offers a range of content including games, tones, and graphics.
WAP (Wireless Application Protocol): Wireless Application Protocol is a protocol developed to allow intelligent transmission of optimized Internet content to wireless phones.
Wallpaper: Also called graphics or screen savers, these are photos and pictures which can be downloaded to your phone to personalize the face of your phone.
Word: "Word" is an expression used to agree with a statement that someone has made, or when used as "Word?" to question a statement that someone has made. ALT SPELLINGS: werd SYN: tru, tru dat USAGE: Man #1: "That cellio is PIMPED out, sheeeeet" Man #2: "WORD!"