Communications - Wire Free

Wire free jargon is a very new area of jargon that has evolved only in the last 5 years. It is so new that it is estimated that a new phrase is added to the broadband and wire free jargon every week.

Wire free jargon is expanding as are the networks building the wireless systems so keeping up with the wireless jargon is vital as soon every home will become wireless enabled.

Wire free jargon is set to consolidate in general until the next phase of digital communications  and software evolve for even faster data transfer rates.

Broadband and wire free jargon is here to stay - that is until we each have our own teleporter (watch this space).

Wire free jargon.

PDA = Personal Digital Assistant. The term that applies to an electronic organiser/computer. PDAs are pocket sized and powerful.

WiFi = Term that applies to wireless networking and web browsing using the widespread and standard 802.11b standard, which transfers data at 11Mbps. The beauty of WiFi is that you can access a "hot-spot" or just logon to your home whilst being in the garden.

SDIO = Secure Digital Input Output. Basically, secure digital cards with IO (input-output) for added functionality. Lots of examples abound including: Digital cameras, WiFi cards, FM Radio and GPS SatNav cards as well as Bluetooth dongles. Some PDAs have both an SD slot as well as slot for the much bigger CF (Compact Flash) card. Sony has its own accessories for its MS (Memory Stick) PDAs.

OS = Operating System. This is important. Basically there are two camps. PalmOS and Pocket PC. Both have a huge range of third-party software and can synchronize with Windows PCs and Macs. Symbian and Linux based PDas are also to be found, but you won't find them unless you really look hard.

BEAM = A great way to transfer contacts, virtual business cards, files, programs and photos between devices using infrared or Bluetooth.

GPS = A US military-operated network of 24 satellites that gives and extremely accurate position to anyone with a a suitable receiver.

POI = Points of Interest (POI) is a list of useful information, such as the location of a petrol station or supermarket near you.

MAPPING DATA = Most systems are provided by Tele-Atlas and Navteq. Users pay for updated maps, usually once a year. Please note: always consider the cost of updates when working out the price of a new system.

TRAFFIC INFO = Most integrated systems can now receive traffic information using a system called RDS (Radio Data Service). Portable solutions receive this information via GPRS - perfect for smartphones and Xda handheld devices, but many standalone PDAs will need a mobile phone connection to download from.

ACQUISITION = This is a measure of how quickly the system connects to the satellite. There are three timings: cold, warm and hot. Cold is when the unit is turned on in a new location; warm is when the unit is turned off but in the same location; hot is when the unit briefly loses reception and must reconnect.

AAC = Advanced Audio Coding. The "next generation" of audio file using MPEG-4 and even more sophisticated compression to deliver better sound quality FROM smaller file sizes. Apple and Nokia have adopted it as their music format.

WMA = Windows Media Audio. Microsoft's own audio format which goes into battle against Apple/Nokia backed AAC. Microsoft claims that WMA offers better CD-quality sound at half the file size of comparable MP3s.

ADD YOUR OWN JARGON TO THIS SECTION:-