Chapter 9: Mobile Devices

Windows 10 Mobile

A Microsoft OS for smartphones.

dock

A bar that appears by default at the bottom of the screen in iOS and contains program icons and shortcuts to files and folders.

smartphone

A cell phone that can send text messages with photos, videos, and other multimedia content, surf the web, manage email, play games, take photos and videos, and download and use small apps.

Z-Wave

A closed wireless standard used by smart devices that works in the 900-MHz or 2.4-GHz band and has a range up to 20 m. It is not considered as robust as its competitor.

remote backup application

A cloud backup service on the Internet that backs up data to the cloud and is often used for laptops, tablets, and smartphones.

F.R.U. (field replaceable unit)

A component in a computer or device that can be replaced with a new component without sending the computer or device back to the manufacturer. Examples include a power supply, DIMM, motherboard, and hard disk drive.

tablet

A computing device with a touch screen that is larger than a smartphone and with functions similar to a smartphone.

BYOD (Bring Your Own Device)

A corporate policy that allows employees or students to connect their own devices to the corporate network.

controller hub

A device that controls the smart devices in an IoT network to create an integrated smart home experience. Also called smart home hub.

wearable technology device

A device, such as a smart watch, wristband, arm band, eyeglasses, headset, or clothing, that can perform computing tasks, including making phone calls, sending text messages, transmitting data, and checking email.

SDK (Software Development Kit)

A group of tools that developers use to write apps. For example, Android Studio.

iPad

A handheld tablet developed by Apple.

Home button

A hardware button on the bottom of Apple's iPhone or iPad.

PRL (Preferred Roaming List)

A list of preferred service providers or radio frequencies your carrier wants a mobile device to use when it is outside of its home network.

cast

A mobile device feature that allows the device to transmit its display to a television, monitor, or projector.

e-reader

A mobile device that holds digital versions of books, newspapers, magazines, and other printed documents, which are usually downloaded to the device from the web.

geotracking

A mobile device's routine reporting of its position to Apple, Google, or Microsoft at least twice a day, making it possible for these companies to track your device's whereabouts.

Zigbee

A open wireless standard used by smart devices that works in the 900-MHz band, has a range up to 100 m, and is considered more robust than Z-Wave, a competing standard.

image-level backup

A process that backs up and restores everything on a device, such as a hard drive, smartphone, or tablet. The restore process restores the device to a previous state.

file-level backup

A process that backs up and restores individual files.

full device encryption

A process that encrypts all the stored data on a device, such as a smartphone or tablet.

jailbreaking

A process to break through the normal restrictions that require users to get apps from the Apple App Store. It gives the user "root" (administrator) privileges to the operating system and complete access to all commands and features.

S/MIME (Secure/Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions)

A protocol that encrypts an outgoing email message and includes a digital signature. It is more secure than SMTP, which does not use encryption.

digital assistant

A service or app, such as Apple's Siri and Microsoft's Cortana, that responds to a user's voice commands with a personable, conversational interaction to perform tasks and retrieve information. Also called personal assistant.

profile security requirements

A set of policies and procedures that define how a student or employee's profile settings are configured for security purposes.

security profile

A set of policies and procedures that restrict how a student or employee can access, create, and edit the organization's resources.

airplane mode

A setting within a mobile device that disables the cellular, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth antennas so the device cannot transmit signals.

miniUSB

A smaller USB connector used for some devices, such as cameras.

microUSB

A smaller version of the regular USB connector. It is used to charge older Android devices.

iPhone

A smartphone developed by Apple.

trusted source

A source for downloading software that is considered reliable, such as app stores provided by a mobile device manufacturer and websites of well-known software manufacturers.

smart speaker

A speaker that includes voice-activated digital assistant software and connects by Wi-Fi or other wireless technology to the Internet.

VR (virtual reality) headset

A special type of wearable technology that provides an immersive virtual experience. They can be used for gaming as well as military, medical, and other training.

AR (augmented reality) headset

A special type of wearable technology that provides an immersive virtual experience. They can be used for gaming as well as military, medical, and other training. Also called a virtual reality headset. May refer to Microsoft's HoloLens.

GPS (Global Positioning System)

A system that identifies a device's location in relation to multiple satellites that orbit the earth.

IMSI (International Mobile Subscriber Identity)

A unique number that identifies a cellular subscription for a device or subscriber, along with its home country and mobile network. Some carriers store the number on a SIM card installed in the device.

IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity)

A unique number that identifies a mobile phone or tablet device worldwide. The number can usually be found imprinted on the device or reported in the About menu of the OS.

Google account

A user account identified by a valid email address that is registered on the Google Play website (play.google.com) and used to download content to an Android device.

Apple ID

A user account that is associated with a credit card number and that allows you to download iOS and macOS updates, patches, apps, and multimedia content.

emulator

A virtual machine that imitates the OS and the hardware, such as the hardware buttons on a smartphone.

fitness monitor

A wearable computer device that can measure heart rate, count pool laps or miles jogged or biked, and do a host of other activities.

NFC (Near Field Communication)

A wireless technology that establishes a communication link between two devices that are within 4 inches or 10 cm of each other.

RFID (radio-frequency identification)

A wireless technology that uses small tags with microchips or antennas. These tags can be used to track and identify car keys, clothing, animals, and inventory.

launcher

The Android graphical user interface (GUI) that includes multiple home screens and supports windows, panes, and 3D graphics.

App Store

The app on an Apple device (iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch) that can be used to download apps and content from the iTunes Store website (itunes.apple.com).

USB-C

The newest, and most versatile, type of USB connector.

Google Play

The official source for Android apps (also called the Android marketplace), at play.google.com.

Microsoft Store

The official source for Windows apps.

iOS

The operating system owned and developed by Apple and used for iPhones and iPads.

Side button

The physical button on the upper-right side of an iPhone or iPad.

end-of-life limitation

The point when the manufacturer of software or hardware stops providing updates or patches for its product.

rooting

The process of obtaining root or administrator privileges to an Android device, which then gives you complete access to the entire file system and all commands and features.

Lightning port

The proprietary Apple connector used on Apple iPhones, iPods, and iPads for power and communication.

macOS

The proprietary desktop operating system by Apple.

multifactor authentication

The use of more than one method to authenticate access to a computer, network, or other resource.

IR (infrared)

Wireless technology that requires an unobstructed line of sight between the transmitter and the receiver. Remote controls often use it and smartphones may be able to use it as well.

Bluetooth

Wireless PAN technology that transmits signals over short distances between cell phones, computers, and other devices

notification

Alerts and related information about apps and social media sent to mobile devices and other computers.

SSO (single sign-on)

An account that accesses multiple separate resources, systems, or applications after signing in one time to one account. An example is a Microsoft account.

app drawer

An app embedded in the Android OS that lists and manages all apps installed on the device.

authenticator application

An app installed on a smartphone to provide multifactor authentication—for example, Google Authenticator, Microsoft Authenticator, and Authy.

locator application

An app on a mobile device that can be used to locate the device on a map, force the device to ring, change its password, or remotely erase all data on the device.

Yahoo!

An email provider owned by Verizon.

Gmail

An email service provided by Google at mail.google.com.

Exchange Online

An email service provided by Microsoft that is hosted on Microsoft servers.

Chrome OS

An open-source OS by Google that is used on Google Chromebooks. The OS looks and works much like the Chrome browser and relies heavily on web-based apps and storage.

Android

An operating system for mobile devices that is based on the Linux OS and supported by Google.

remote wipe

An operation that remotely erases all contacts, email, photos, and other data from a device to protect your privacy.

baseband update

An update to radio firmware on a mobile device that manages cellular, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth radios. These updates may be included in OS updates.

IoT (Internet of Things)

Any device that can connect to the Internet for a specific purpose, such as a smart thermostat or door lock.

iCloud Drive

Apple's cloud storage space that can be synced with files stored on any personal computer

iCloud

Apple's cloud storage website used to sync content on Apple devices in order to provide a backup of the content.

biometric authentication

Authentication on a network, computer, or other computing device by means of body-related data, such as a fingerprint, face or retinal data.

radio firmware

Firmware on a device that manages wireless communication, such as cellular, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth radio communication.

P.R.I. (Product Release Instructions)

Mobile OS updates that include specific radio settings, like ID numbers, network codes, and country codes so that your phone knows exactly how to use the wireless network

favorites tray

On Android devices, the area above the Action bar that contains up to seven apps or groups of apps. These apps stay put as you move from home screen to home screen.

iTunes

Software by Apple installed on a Mac or Windows computer. It can be used to download media, backup data, sync an iPhone or iPad to iOS updates, and troubleshoot problems with the Apple device.

open source

Source code for an operating system or other software that is available for free; anyone can modify and redistribute the source code.

commercial license

When applied to software, the rights to use the software, as assigned to the user by the software vendor.

paired

When two Bluetooth devices have established connectivity and are able to communicate.