Cellular South Wireless 101

Apps – The word “Apps” simply stands for “applications.” These are additional programs that can be added or preloaded on a device. Apps can be anything from games to tools like calculators.

 Bluetooth –Bluetooth® is a short-range wireless communications technology. Basically, it connects your mobile device to other objects (like a headset) without the use of wires and has a range of about 30 feet. 

If a mobile device is "Bluetooth capable," it accepts certain "profiles." These profiles explain what type of objects can be connected to wirelessly and what type of actions can be performed. Bluetooth profiles can differ between devices.

BREW® - Think of BREW as an application store. It's found on most feature phones (non-smartphones) and provides access to purchase and download games, productivity tools, ringtones and more. To access BREW on your feature phone:

• On the main menu of your phone, select the BREW icon.
• Select the shopping cart icon.
• Select Catalog.
• Choose a category and/or subcategory, and select an application.
• Choose either the monthly subscription or the unlimited price. The monthly subscription will be a recurring cost billed to you each month. The unlimited price is a one-time cost that is NOT recurring and provides unlimited use to the application.
• Download the application and then select the application icon to open it.
• Please note: BREW applications cannot be transferred to other phones. This means that if you get a new feature phone, you will need to cancel the BREW application(s) on the phone being replaced and then download them again on your new phone. Remember to cancel subscriptions to all applications with monthly recurring charges before you change phones.

 Camera - A camera captures and takes pictures of still images on mobile devices.

Cellular South Online Panel – The Cellular South Online Panel is comprised of individuals who provide valuable insights and recommendations on how we can improve our products and overall customer experience. They participate in online surveys, focus groups and product testing.

Data – Data is a feature that allows for enhanced use of a mobile device, giving the user access to e-mail, the Internet and the ability to download applications.

 E-mail - The transferring of messages from one mobile device to another through a network.

Evolution-Data Optimized (EV-DO) – EV-DO is a telecommunications standard for the wireless transmission of data, typically for broadband Internet access. It's the technical term for a high-speed data network, which we most often refer to as simply "3G." When you're in a location where 3G high-speed data access is available, your mobile device's display will read "EV."

Feature Phone - Any mobile phone that is not a smartphone or PDA is considered a feature phone. A feature phone doesn't have the PC-like functionality of a smartphone but it can (depending on the model) record videos, take pictures, play music, access high-speed data networks and more. BREW software, included on most feature phones, provides the ability to download applications (e.g., games, productivity tools and ringtones).

 Hearing Aid Compatible – Indicates that a mobile device is compatible with hearing aid standards, as defined and regulated by the FCC.

Insider (Online Panel Member) – An Insider is an individual on the Cellular South Online Panel, who provides valuable insight to help improve products, services and stores through online feedback. Upon signing up to participate, each member has opted-in to participate in one, two or all three of the following: surveys, focus groups and customer mystery shops. These customers help shape products, advertising, Web site design, and just about anything else for which we need advice. For their contributions, Insiders become eligible for certain rewards, such as free devices.

Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) – MMS takes text messaging (or SMS) one step further by being able to send longer text, graphics, photos, audio clips and video clips. It is popular for sending photographs from camera-equipped handsets, as well as for transferring ringtones. 

 Music Player – A music player is a media player that allows for the playing of audio files on mobile devices.

Pics - Also known as picture messaging or multi-media messaging (MMS), this feature allows for the transfer of multimedia objects (images, audio, video or rich text) between mobile devices.

QWERTY - This is a keyboard or keypad layout structure on the device.  The word "QWERTY" comes from the standard desktop keyboard layout that has these six letters in a row on the top left. A device with a “QWERTY keypad” will feature one letter per key.

Screen Resolution - The screen resolution refers to the number of pixels displayed on your mobile device's screen. A screen's resolution is usually described using two numbers: its width and its height, in pixels (e.g., 480 x 640). The higher the screen resolution, the clearer the image.

Short Message Service (SMS) – This is the technical term for text messaging.  SMS is the interchange of short text messages between two mobile devices with a maximum character limit of 160 characters. 

Smartphone – Also known as a PDA, a smartphone offers advanced capabilities beyond a typical mobile phone. These advanced capabilities often give the smartphone functionality similar to a PC, including e-mail and Internet access. The smartphone's keyboard allows access to these advanced capabilities and is either part of the device or can be attached externally. The "brain" of a smartphone is called an operating system (e.g., Windows Mobile®), which replicates the PC experience.

 Speakerphone – A speakerphone is a telephone with a microphone and loudspeaker provided separately from those in the handset. This device allows multiple persons to participate in a conversation. The loudspeaker broadcasts the voice or voices of those on the other end of the telephone line, while the microphone captures all voices of those using the speakerphone.

SureType® - is a QWERTY-based character input method for devices like the BlackBerry® Pearl™. SureType combines a traditional telephone keypad with a QWERTY-based keyboard to create a convenient way to input text on a cell phone.

 Third-Generation High-Speed Data Capable (3G) – 3G is a term to describe high-speed wireless mobile broadband services. 3G coverage allows for faster uploads and downloads when connecting to the Internet, and access to new mobile high-speed data services including mobile video, high-quality music and other multimedia applications.

 Video – A video camera captures and records video images on mobile devices.

 Voice Command – Voice command is the ability for a mobile device to respond to spoken commands, such as "Call Home" by understanding the sounds and then completing the action. Voice command converts spoken words to machine-readable input for the purposes of performing certain actions.

 Web Browser – A mobile Web browser is a software application that enables a user to display and interact with text, images, videos, music, games and other information typically located on a Web page.

Wi-Fi® - The name of a popular wireless networking technology that allows for access to high-speed wireless Internet on your mobile device via a variety of hot spot sources. The Wi-Fi Alliance, the organization that owns the Wi-Fi term specifically defines Wi-Fi as any "wireless local area network (WLAN) products that are based on the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers' (IEEE) 802.11 standards.

Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) - A WAP browser provides all of the basic services of a computer-based Web browser, but simplified to operate within the restrictions of a mobile phone, such as its smaller display screen. WAP is what makes it possible to view your favorite news site on your mobile phone.