MOBILE DEFINITIONS :
J - L
Often stands for "Java ME" (the new name of J2ME, Java 2 Platform, Micro Edition). Java ME is a platform for applications running on mobile phones. These, mainly small, applications (e.g. games) can be downloaded from the Internet directly to the phone using its built-in web-browser.
A unit of digital information equal to 1024 bytes. Also abbreviated as kB, K and Kbyte.
Kbps (Kilobits per second)
A unit of data transfer rate equal to 1024 bits per second.
A feature allowing you to lock the keyboard to avoid any accidental dialing of a number or pressing of keys while carrying the phone in a pocket or bag. The keyboard is unlocked by a special sequence of keys unlikely to be pressed accidentally.
A dedicated switch/key/button that locks (and unlocks) a device's keypad.
Non-wireless telephone connection.
A liquid crystal display is the most common display type among mobile phones because of its low power consumption and good image quality. They are generally easy to read, even under direct sunlight.
The smallest element of an image displayed on a LCD is the pixel. Each pixel normally consists of a layer of molecules aligned between two transparent electrodes, and two polarizing filters.
Some of the types of LCD displays are STN, TFT and TFD. The first one, STN, offers low cost and low power consumption, but low image quality. TFT features greater image quality and response time, yet its displays are more expensive and need more power.
Three other types of LCDs are transmissive, reflective, or transflective. Transmissive displays offer nicer image quality in low or medium ambient light, while reflective ones work best in bright ambient light. Transflective displays combine the best of both.
A semiconductor diode that emits light when charged with electricity. They come in diverse colors and some LEDs even contain multiple elements and are therefore capable of emitting light with different colors.
LEDs are used for displays, for keypad or display backlighting, etc. Bright white LEDs also can be used as flashlights and flashes for mobile phones. Even if they are not as bright as the xenon flash, LEDs are much more compact and require less energy - and also can be used as video light.
This stands for a type of rechargeable battery. They are much lighter than earlier battery types (NiCd and NiMH), have a long life cycle and generally don't suffer from the so-called "memory effect".
This stands for a type of rechargeable battery which has evolved technologically from Lithium-Ion batteries.
Current lithium-polymer batteries are actually Lithium-Ion Polymer and perform similarly to Lithium-Ion batteries.
The advantage however of Li-Polymer batteries is that they can be made much thinner.
Generally, they don't suffer from the so-called "memory effect" common to NiCd and NiMH batteries.
A family of open-source operating systems. There are a lot of variants of Linux available and they are developed and maintained by diverse working groups. There are also some Linux-based OSes for mobile devices (e.g. Android or Maemo).
A term that refers to a wide range of services based (or enhanced by) information about the physical location of a user and/or device.
Typical examples of location-based services for consumers are real-time turn-by-turn navigation, the location of the nearest restaurant or hotel, vehicle tracking etc.
For a location-based service to work there are some requirements to be fulfilled. The network must support it, and certain technologies must be built into the mobile phone (such as GPS and A-GPS).
A code preventing the unauthorized use of a mobile phone. the user isn't given access to the phone without entering the right sequence of numbers using the keypad. Only emergency or other predefined numbers may be dialed while the mobile phone is locked.
Also known as "Concatenated SMS".
LTE is the next-step of the evolution of UMTS (3G) and HSDPA (3.5G). It's what is technically correct called 4G.
Some carries market especially high speed 3.5G HSDPA as 4G network, but that's not correct.
Some of the improvements LTE brings along over the currently used wireless mobile radio technologies are a
better spectral efficiency, lower costs, higher transfer speeds, improved services, etc.
LTE networks are widely commercially available in the USA. In Europe the network standard is not as widely spread and there are individual networks available only in some cities.
Theoretically, LTE networks should provide wireless data download speeds of up to 300Mbps and wireless download speeds of up to 75Mbps.
The loudspeaker is a small sound driver fitted within a mobile phone, or other communication device, which is used to produce sound. Traditionally, loudspeakers on mobile phones are used to produce sound alerts for events such as incoming calls, incoming messages and alarms.
Since mobile phones have started doubling as portable music players in recent years, users have begun using their built-in speakers for playback of music. Acknowledging this new type of use of the mobile phone loudspeaker, manufacturers have begin to equip their music or video-centric mobiles with more powerful loudspeakers or even a pair of loudspeakers for accurate stereo reproduction and enhanced spatial effects.
Loudspeakers are also used to reproduce voice calls out loud, thus allowing users to deal with calls hands-free or even have conference calls with others in the same room (that use of the mobile phone is called a speakerphone, which is not to be confused with a loudspeaker).
Loudspeaker implementation can vary from model to model. For example, in order to save space and make phones thinner, some manufacturers don't use a dedicated loudspeaker but instead use the earpiece speaker to produce sound alerts as well.
One way or another, whether you use it for fun, conference calls or just for plain ringing, there is one single thing that's important - loudness. We had explored this in depth in our reviews besides the casual subjective remark, but in 2007 we decided it was time we took a more scientific approach.
So we got ourselves a handy piece of equipment - a digital noise/loudness meter - in order to start measuring objectively that all-important aspect of modern handsets - how loud is the loudspeaker in reality.
So, for the record, here is how our test setup goes. We do our tests in one and the same quiet room taking sound measurements with the handset loudspeaker facing the microphone at a distance of exactly 1 m. We do three different tests. For each test we make several consecutive measurements - we usually disregard the highest and the lowest readings and we take the average value of the rest.
The three tests are as follows:
1) A phone ringing. We use an old-school ringtone, resembling the ringing of an old phone. It seems that most phones do well when we use it.
2) Pink noise. We use a sample of pink noise. Our readings with it are pretty indicative on how well the handset loudspeaker would fare with standard music. Teenagers definitely appreciate a handset that will allow them to crank up the volume as high as possible.
3) Human voice, male. This is an important test, since if you tend the use the loudspeaker for speakerphone purposes, loudness is really important, regardless of whether you are in a conference room or in your car.
Java
KB (Kilobyte)
A unit of digital information equal to 1024 bytes. Also abbreviated as kB, K and Kbyte.
Kbps (Kilobits per second)
A unit of data transfer rate equal to 1024 bits per second.
Key Guard
Key Lock Switch
Land line
LCD (Liquid Crystal Display)
The smallest element of an image displayed on a LCD is the pixel. Each pixel normally consists of a layer of molecules aligned between two transparent electrodes, and two polarizing filters.
Some of the types of LCD displays are STN, TFT and TFD. The first one, STN, offers low cost and low power consumption, but low image quality. TFT features greater image quality and response time, yet its displays are more expensive and need more power.
Three other types of LCDs are transmissive, reflective, or transflective. Transmissive displays offer nicer image quality in low or medium ambient light, while reflective ones work best in bright ambient light. Transflective displays combine the best of both.
LED (Light-Emitting Diode)
LEDs are used for displays, for keypad or display backlighting, etc. Bright white LEDs also can be used as flashlights and flashes for mobile phones. Even if they are not as bright as the xenon flash, LEDs are much more compact and require less energy - and also can be used as video light.
Li-Ion (Lithium Ion)
Li-Polymer (Lithium Polymer)
Current lithium-polymer batteries are actually Lithium-Ion Polymer and perform similarly to Lithium-Ion batteries.
The advantage however of Li-Polymer batteries is that they can be made much thinner.
Generally, they don't suffer from the so-called "memory effect" common to NiCd and NiMH batteries.
Linux
Location-Based Services (LBS)
Typical examples of location-based services for consumers are real-time turn-by-turn navigation, the location of the nearest restaurant or hotel, vehicle tracking etc.
For a location-based service to work there are some requirements to be fulfilled. The network must support it, and certain technologies must be built into the mobile phone (such as GPS and A-GPS).
Lock code
Long SMS
Long term evolution (LTE)
Some carries market especially high speed 3.5G HSDPA as 4G network, but that's not correct.
Some of the improvements LTE brings along over the currently used wireless mobile radio technologies are a
better spectral efficiency, lower costs, higher transfer speeds, improved services, etc.
LTE networks are widely commercially available in the USA. In Europe the network standard is not as widely spread and there are individual networks available only in some cities.
Theoretically, LTE networks should provide wireless data download speeds of up to 300Mbps and wireless download speeds of up to 75Mbps.
Loudspeaker
Since mobile phones have started doubling as portable music players in recent years, users have begun using their built-in speakers for playback of music. Acknowledging this new type of use of the mobile phone loudspeaker, manufacturers have begin to equip their music or video-centric mobiles with more powerful loudspeakers or even a pair of loudspeakers for accurate stereo reproduction and enhanced spatial effects.
Loudspeakers are also used to reproduce voice calls out loud, thus allowing users to deal with calls hands-free or even have conference calls with others in the same room (that use of the mobile phone is called a speakerphone, which is not to be confused with a loudspeaker).
Loudspeaker implementation can vary from model to model. For example, in order to save space and make phones thinner, some manufacturers don't use a dedicated loudspeaker but instead use the earpiece speaker to produce sound alerts as well.
One way or another, whether you use it for fun, conference calls or just for plain ringing, there is one single thing that's important - loudness. We had explored this in depth in our reviews besides the casual subjective remark, but in 2007 we decided it was time we took a more scientific approach.
So we got ourselves a handy piece of equipment - a digital noise/loudness meter - in order to start measuring objectively that all-important aspect of modern handsets - how loud is the loudspeaker in reality.
So, for the record, here is how our test setup goes. We do our tests in one and the same quiet room taking sound measurements with the handset loudspeaker facing the microphone at a distance of exactly 1 m. We do three different tests. For each test we make several consecutive measurements - we usually disregard the highest and the lowest readings and we take the average value of the rest.
The three tests are as follows:
1) A phone ringing. We use an old-school ringtone, resembling the ringing of an old phone. It seems that most phones do well when we use it.
2) Pink noise. We use a sample of pink noise. Our readings with it are pretty indicative on how well the handset loudspeaker would fare with standard music. Teenagers definitely appreciate a handset that will allow them to crank up the volume as high as possible.
3) Human voice, male. This is an important test, since if you tend the use the loudspeaker for speakerphone purposes, loudness is really important, regardless of whether you are in a conference room or in your car.
