Comptia A+ Understanding Mobile Devices

Airplane Mode

A switch that turns off all cellular and wireless services (including bluetooth).

Smart Watch

A wearable technology that allows users to check email, play music, and receive notifications of all sorts. The Apple Watch is an example.

Fitness Monitor

A wearable technology that tracks fitness goals (e.g., steps, calories, etc.). Some track your heart rate, some use GPS to track steps, etc.

Emergency Notification

Built-in feature for smartphones that enables them to receive broadcasts from national emergency broadcast systems, including weather and AMBER alerts.

Yes (and it can lead to very high costs/bills!)

Can data roaming use towers in countries other than the country you purchased your phone plan in?

System on a Chip (SoC)

Component of a mobile device MOBO which combines a CPU, GPU, and other support login into a single silicon die, saving a lot of power and space

Synchronization

Feature in which mobile devices can update files based on any changes across any number of devices. Files include phone contacts, programs, emails, pictures, music, videos, calendar info, bookmarks, documents, location data, social media data, and e-books

Virtual Assistant

Feature that allows the user to speak simple commands (e.g., ask about weather, do a google search, etc.). Siri, Cortana, and Google Now are the big three.

Mobile Payment Service

Feature that allows user to pay for goods and services by scanning their phone

Geotracking

Feature that is on by default in which the mobile OS tracks your location

Android

Google's open-source mobile platform and allows apps to be installed from any number of locations

International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI)

Identifies the actual user associated with the SIM. It is a number on the SIM. The carrier is often the only one with this info.

App Store

Location in which all iOS apps are purchased, installed, and updated.

Exchange ActiveSync (EAS)

Microsoft protocol used to synchronize microsoft Exchange email, contacts, and calendars. Also used by Apple and Android devices

Screen Orientation

Most mobile devices include an accelerometer and a gyroscope to measure movement and space and maintain proper what?

Integrated Circuit Card Identifier (ICCID)

Number which uniquely identifies a subscriber identity module (SIM) and is used to authenticate the user to the network.

Windows Phone

Smartphone developed by Microsoft, runs Windows OS, and has a very small market share

Graphical User Interface (GUI)

Smartphones use only this to allow users to interact, select apps, etc.

launcher

Software on an Android smart device that allows users to customize their Android device extensively (e.g., TouchWiz, Nova) Windows Phones also support these

Phablet

Somewhere in the middle of the spectrum of Smartphone and Tablet - smaller than a tablet but includes cellular functionality

Near Field Communication (NFC)

Specific application that can receive payment approval from the phone by placing the phone onto or near the special pad at a register

Closed Source (or Vendor Specific system)

Strict control over what apps can be installed on specific mobile devices. For example, Apple approves any app before it goes into the App Store and reserves the right to refuse and remove apps

Key Chain

The Apple feature which synchronizes user information, passwords, and other credentials with all your Apple devices

Smartphone

This device has cellular abilities, touch interface, allows any application can access the internet to exchange data through a seamless API, and has a standardized API to allow third-parties to create apps

User name, password, sending and receiving server addresses

What 4 things do you need to connect an Android-based tablet to an IMAP account?

Field Replaceable Unit (FRU)

What do most mobile devices not offer at all? Without these it makes it difficult to repair a broken part on a mobile device.

Virtual Private Network (VPN)

What feature is created via the following popular methods? Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol (L2TP) and IPsec, or Secure Sockets Layer (SSL).

Solid-State Drive (SSD)

What hard drive type do mobile devices use?

LCD (TN for lower-end, IPS for higher-end, like Apple Ipad)

What screen technology do mobile devices use primarily?

Organic Light-emitting Diode (OLED)

What screen technology do smaller mobile devices use? This technology applies an electric current to make the organic layer glow in precise spots desired. They do not use backlights, meaning they can achieve true black color.

Capacitive

What type of touchscreen display responds to the difference in electrical potential between the user and the screen?

Roaming

When a mobile device connects to different carriers' networks Sorts them by the Preferred Roaming List (PRL)

Tablet

"Large phone without the phone" - runs the same OS as a smartphone, but typically has a much larger screen and no cellular connection

International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI)

15 -digit number to unique identify a mobile device, typically a smartphone or other device that connects to a cellular network. Can be used to identify and even block a specific device Unique to the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) family of devices (e.g., 4G and LTE-Advanced)

Digitizer

A component on a mobile device that refers to the "touch" part of the touchscreen. Uses a fine grid of sensors which tell the PC what location on the grid your finger is pressing

Software Development Kit (SDK)

Allows users to create custom apps or features for their smart device.

Lightning Connector

Apple proprietary connector, 8 pins, generally used to charge an Apple mobile device