Glossary A - E

3G

The third generation telephone network transferring data at 384 kbps. This allows for video transmission as well as standard data transfer.see BECTA’s Technical paper: Mobile Internet Connectivity

4G

4th generation telephone network is still in development. Allows for ‘roaming’ between networks to ensure a constant connection to Internet at all times.  see BECTA’s Technical paper: Mobile Internet Connectivity

Beaming

Method to transfer files from one device to another. See Bluetooth and Infrared.

Blackberry

Produced by Research in Motion a Blackberry is a handheld wireless device providing e-mail, telephone, text messaging and web browsing and other wireless data access.

Blog

A weblog, usually referred to as a 'blog' is like an online diary.  A website, supporting a blog, displays the written entries to the journal in reverse chronological order.  Blogs offer world news, personal reflections and ideas or comments about particular subjects and many include video, images as well as sounds. Anyone wanting to share their knowledge skills and attitude can publish information onto the Internet via a blog – the most visited blogs are about hobbies, interests and home life.

Bluetooth

Short-range wireless technology for transmitting voice and data across a global radio frequency band. Used to connect devices and peripherals such as mobile phones, cameras, printers and headsets. (Transfers at 721kbps, Bluetooth 2 transfers at 2.1Mbps)

Cameraphone

A mobile phone with a built-in camera. Usually the phone has MMS messaging functionality.

Character recognition

Converts hand-drawn symbols to digital format and then to alphanumeric characters.

Docking cradle

A device used to connect a handheld to a PC for synchronization and application downloads. The two are connected via the handheld's communication port using a serial or USB cable. The cradle often doubles as a battery charger as well.

Enhanced Messaging Service

Text messaging but better! Allows graphics and sound to be sent with text messages to other EMS enabled phones.

Expansion slot

The opening in a handheld where standard cards can be inserted to add storage memory, network cards and wired or wireless modems, GPS units, or cameras.

 

 

Quicklinks

Glossary

• A - E

• F - J

• K - O

• P - T

• U - Z

Other sections

In Practice

Examples and ideas showing practical ways to use the different devices in the classroom and out and about

Choose the Right Device

What to look for when buying the devices, reviews and suggestions

FAQs for Organisations

Issues and questions that organisations experience

Technical Tips

Troubleshooting, software and hardware solutions

Making it Accessible

Ways to use the technology accessibly

The Future

The changing world of handheld devices