NationMaster - Encyclopedia: Mobile phone features

There are many mobile phone features found in today's mobile phones that offer users many more capabilities than only voice calls or text messaging. Image File history File links Question_book-3. ...

General features

Mobiles are designed to work on cellular networks and contain a standard set of services that allow phones of different types and in different countries to communicate with each other. The tone or style of this article or section may not be appropriate for Wikipedia. ... GSM services are a standard collection of applications and features available to mobile phone subscribers all over the world. ...

Before the phone can be used, a subscription to a mobile phone operator (a.k.a. carrier) is required. For phones on GSM networks, the operator will issue a SIM card which contains the unique subscription and authentication parameters for that customer; alternatively, the carrier will put the customer's handset identifier into its subscriber database so that the handset can make calls on the network. Once the SIM card is inserted into the phone, services can be accessed. Many mobile phones support 'auto-roaming', which permits the same phone to be used in multiple countries. For this to work, the operators of both countries must have a roaming agreement. A mobile phone operator (also wireless carrier) is a telephone company that provides phone services for mobile phone subscribers. ... Global System for Mobile communications (GSM: originally from Groupe SpÃ©cial Mobile) is the most popular standard for mobile phones in the world. ... SIM re-directs here; for alternate uses see Sim (disambiguation) A SIM card taken from a GSM mobile phone A subscriber identity module (SIM) is a smartcard securely storing the key identifying a mobile subscriber. ... The GSM Core network is the heart of a GSM system, the most common mobile phone system in the world. ... A mobile phone operator (also wireless carrier) is a telephone company that provides phone services for mobile phone subscribers. ... Roaming is a general term in wireless telecommunications that refers to the extending of connectivity service in a location that is different from the home location where the service was registered. ...

Mobile phones include an alarm. Usually it still functions while the phone is turned off or in silent mode. A basic digital clock radio with analog tuning A wind-up, spring-driven alarm clock An alarm clock is a clock that is designed to make an alert sound at a specific date and/or time. ...

Mobile phones do not only support voice calls; they can also send and receive data and faxes (if a computer is attached), send short messages (or "text messages"; see SMS), access WAP services, and provide full Internet access using technologies such as GPRS. Mobile phones usually have a clock and a calculator and often one can play some games on them. A Samsung fax machine Fax (short for facsimile, from Latin fac simile, make similar, i. ... â€œSMSâ€ redirects here. ... WAP is an open international suckers standard for applications that use wireless communication. ... General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) is a mobile data service available to users of GSM mobile phones. ... For other uses, see Clock (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Calculator (disambiguation). ... Play might be described as unrestrained, amusing interaction with people, animals, or things, often in the context of learning. ... For other uses, see Game (disambiguation). ...

Most current models also allow for sending and receiving pictures and have a built-in digital camera, that can have resolutions as high as 5M pixels (Nokia N95). Sound and video recording is often also possible. This feature is generally referred to as MMS. This gives rise to some concern about privacy, in view of possible voyeurism, for example in swimming pools. For this reason, Saudi Arabia has entirely banned the sale of camera phones; South Korea has ordered manufacturers to ensure that all new handsets emit a beep whenever a picture is taken. Look up digital camera in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Methods and media for sound recording are varied and have undergone significant changes between the first time sound was actually recorded for later playback until now. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Privacy has no definite boundaries and it has different meanings for different people. ... â€œVoyeurâ€ redirects here. ... This article needs additional references or sources for verification. ... Instantly sharing media A Sony Ericsson K750 camera phone in use Philippe Kahn Working on and early camera-phone A camera phone is a mobile phone which has a camera built-in and is coupled with a server-based infrastructure that allows the user to share pictures and video with...

GPS receivers are starting to appear integrated or connected (i.e. using bluetooth) to cell phones, primarily to aid in dispatching emergency responders and road tow truck services. This feature is generally referred to as E911. Over fifty GPS satellites such as this NAVSTAR have been launched since 1978. ... Bluetooth logo This article is about the electronic protocol named after Harald Bluetooth Gormson. ... It has been suggested that this section be merged into dispatcher. ... Emergency services are services that deal with emergencies and other aspects of Public Safety. ... Heavy Tow truck A tow truck (also called a wrecker, a breakdown truck or a breakdown lorry), is a vehicle used to take disabled motor vehicles off a roadway to another location in case of breakdown or collision, or to impound illegally parked vehicles on public or (more commonly) private... Enhanced 911 service or E911 service is a North American telephone network feature that automatically associates the physical address with the calling partys telephone number. ...

Push to talk, available on some mobile phones, is a feature that allows the user to talk to another by pressing the button. It functions similar to walkie-talkie. â€œPush to Talkâ€ redirects here. ... A walkie-talkie is a portable, bi-directional radio transceiver, first developed for military use. ...

There are also many features aimed toward personalisation, such as user defined and downloadable ring tones and logos, and interchangeable covers, which have helped in the uptake by the teenage market. Mobile phone content advertising has become massively popular but has also drawn a great deal of criticism. Usually one can choose between a ring tone, a vibrating alert, or a combination of both. It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with ring (telephone), ringing signal and polyphonic ringtone (Discuss) A ring tone is the sound made by a telephone to indicate an incoming call. ... An operator logo is a logo which appears on the status screen of a mobile phone. ... A separate article is about the punk band called The Adolescents. ... Mobile phone content advertising is the promotion of ring tones, games and other mobile phone services. ... A vibrating alert is on communications devices to notify the user of an incoming connection. ...

As a result of all these features packed into a tiny device, mobile phones have recently gained reputations for their poor ergonomics. Their small size, plethora of features and modes, and attempts at stylish design often make them difficult and confusing to use. Ergonomics (or human factors) is the application of scientific information concerning humans to the design of objects, systems and environment for human use (definition adopted by the International Ergonomics Association in 2007). ...

Next Generation Ready Features

These are not junk ideas rather features which would be found in the next generation mobile devices in a year or two from 2007.

sideload A new concept feature that has gained prominence in the mobile industry of late. Sideloading essentially allows mobile users to share audio, video and data files from PC to mobile, mobile to mobile what is termed as peer to peer sharing. Peer sharing of files is mainly through mobile interfaces such as USB, IrDA, Bluetooth, Wireless LAN and Ultra Wide Band Interface ports. The challenge is in the target device content adoption which involves some device oriented transcoding content adoption. This is an opportunity for leaders in this segment to file patents adding value to mobile users worldwide. Video sideloading might involve the usage of a multimedia co-processor along with a mobile processor in a handset. Sideload is a term used in internet culture, similar to upload and download. It is the process of moving data between two web servers. ... Note: USB may also mean upper sideband in radio. ... The initials IRDA can refer to various things: In Information Technology and Communications, IrDA refers to Infrared Data Association, a standard for communication between devices (such as computers, PDAs and mobile phones) over short distances using infrared signals. ... Bluetooth logo This article is about the electronic protocol named after Harald Bluetooth Gormson. ...

Sideloading is here to stay due to the rapid adoption of wireless broadband along with mobile content offered on mobile operator decks.

Simple features such as mobile calendar sharing is missing in todays handsets. Making appointments on a peer mobile handset, tasks, sharing calendar is a useful feature which many mobile users shall find. Calendar sharing should not be limited to enterrprise devices that need a central enterprise server. Mechanisms should be provided to ensure peer to peer mobile calendar sharing.

Simple collaborative features such making calendar appointments on a target mobile device adds immense value to users worldwide. Allows peer to peer mobile calendar sharing and setting of tasks appointments. Today this feature is missing even in expensive high end handsets from top five players.

How often do we find users scrambling to enter a persons mobile contact. Perhaps the easiest way is to share a contact irrespective of the make and manufacturer. Enaling vcard mobile contact sharing using device interfaces as well as through sms and mms adds substantial usefulness to mobile devices. Many mid end and mid high mobile devices lack this essential feature.

Involves simplicity in sharing mobile phone contact to another mobile device using interfaces such as Bluetooth, Wireless Lan, UWB, and USB ports.

Enterprise Mobile Advanced Screening Features

Enterprise ready mobile handsets provided with advanced screening profiles will add immense value. Screening features such as enabling or disabling profiles based on calls, contacts, wireless email, sms and mms. SMS may refer to: Short message service, a form of text messaging on cell phones Sega Master System â€“ an 8-bit video game console from the 1980s Seiner MajestÃ¤t Schiff, His Majestys Ship in the German Kaiserliche Marine and the Austro-Hungarian Navy SMS (comics), a British comic... MMS may stand for: In Science and Technology Multimedia Messaging Service, a standard for a telephony messaging systems My_media_system, a Linux media center Manufacturing Message Specification, a networking standard Microsoft Media Services, a data transfer protocol Microsoft Metadirectory Services, a centralized service that stores identity information from in an organization...

Example: Busy enterprise user wants to receive calls only from his boss during a meeting from 10AM to 12PM Scenarios might include setting a data profile where in user can only allow emails during a timeslot when calls are routed to voice mail

Advanced screening profiles need to be built within enterprise handsets such as Blackberry's, Nokia's etc

Multi-Player Gaming Features

Multi-Player gaming has faced tremendous hurdles due to bandwidth issues, differing device manufacturers, operating systems, different device characteristics.

Mobile Monitoring Indicator Features

Mobile devices have gone a long way from providing simple signal status, time, battery strength. Innovations combined with data capabilities on mobile phone has given way to the additional c feature set:

Multi-mode mobile phones

A multi-mode (also known more specifically as dual, tri or quad band) mobile phone is a phone which is designed to work on more than one GSM radio frequency. The multi-mode case occurs mostly in GSM which was originally specified in the 900 MHz band, but expanded to the 1800 MHz band, later adding 1900 MHz and finally 850 MHz in the Americas. Some multi-mode phones can operate on analog networks as well (for example, dual band, tri-mode: AMPS 800 / CDMA 800 / CDMA 1900). In mobile phones, dual band refers to functionality that allows a cellphone to support two frequency bands out of the four major GSM bands. ... Triband phones (also known as tri-band or tri-mode) are mobile phones that support the GSM 900/1800/1900 MHz bands, or alternatively the 850/1800/1900 bands. ... Quad band literally means four (4) bands. ... GSM frequency ranges or frequency bands are the radio spectrum frequencies designated by the ITU for the operation of the GSM system for mobile phones. ... Advanced Mobile Phone System or AMPS is the analog mobile phone system standard, introduced in the Americas during the early 1980s. ... General Information Generically (as a multiplexing scheme), code division multiple access (CDMA) is any use of any form of spread spectrum by multiple transmitters to send to the same receiver on the same frequency channel at the same time without harmful interference. ...

For a GSM phone, dual-band usually means 850 / 1900 MHz in the United States and Canada, 900 / 1800 MHz in Europe and most other countries. Tri-band means 850 / 1800 / 1900 MHz or 900 / 1800 / 1900 MHz. Quad-band means 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 MHz, also called a world phone, since it can work on any GSM network. For other uses, see Europe (disambiguation). ...

For CDMA or TDMA phones, multiple bands usually means it supports both digital and analog communications.

Multi-mode phones have been valuable to enable roaming but are now becoming most important in allowing the introduction of WCDMA without customers having to give up the wide coverage of GSM. Almost every single true 3G phone sold is actually a WCDMA/GSM dual-mode mobile. This is also true of 2.75G phones such as those based on CDMA-2000 or EDGE. W-CDMA (Wideband Code Division Multiple Access), a wideband spread-spectrum 3G mobile telecommuncation air interface that utilizes code division multiple access (or CDMA the general multiplexing scheme, not to be confused with CDMA the standard), is a 3G mobile communications standard allied with the GSM standard. ... Global System for Mobile communications (GSM: originally from Groupe SpÃ©cial Mobile) is the most popular standard for mobile phones in the world. ... 3G is the third generation of mobile phone standards and technology, after 2G. It is based on the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) family of standards under the International Mobile Telecommunications programme, IMT-2000. 3G technologies enable network operators to offer users a wider range of more advanced services while achieving... A 2G mobile phone is a circuit switched digital mobile phone. ...

The special challenge involved in producing a multi-mode mobile is in finding ways to share the components between the different standards. Obviously, the phone keypad and display should be shared, otherwise it would be hard to treat as one phone. Beyond that, though, there are challenges at each level of integration. How difficult these challenges are depends on the differences between systems. The different variants of the GSM system have only different frequencies and so aren't even considered true multi-mode phones but rather are called multi-band phones. When talking about IS-95/GSM multi-mode phones, for example, or AMPS/IS-95 phones, the base band processing is very different from system to system. This leads to real difficulties in component integration and so to larger phones.

An interesting special case of multi-mode phones is the WCDMA/GSM phone. The radio interfaces are very different from each other, but mobile to core network messaging has strong similarities, meaning that software sharing is quite easy. Probably more importantly, the WCDMA air interface has been designed with GSM compatibility in mind. It has a special mode of operation, known as punctured mode, in which, instead of transmitting continuously, the mobile is able to stop sending for a short period and try searching for GSM carriers in the area. This mode allows for safe inter-frequency handovers with channel measurements which can only be approximated using "pilot signals" in other CDMA based systems. General Information Generically (as a multiplexing scheme), code division multiple access (CDMA) is any use of any form of spread spectrum by multiple transmitters to send to the same receiver on the same frequency channel at the same time without harmful interference. ...

A final interesting case is that of mobiles covering the DS-WCDMA and MC-CDMA 3G variants of the CDMA-2000 protocol. Initially, the chip rate of these phones was incompatible. As part of the negotiations related to patents, it was agreed to use compatible chip rates. This should mean that, despite the fact that the air and system interfaces are quite different, even on a philosophical level, much of the hardware for each system inside a phone should be common with differences being mostly confined to software. W-CDMA (Wideband Code Division Multiple Access), a wideband spread-spectrum 3G mobile telecommuncation air interface that utilizes code division multiple access (or CDMA the general multiplexing scheme, not to be confused with CDMA the standard), is a 3G mobile communications standard allied with the GSM standard. ... CDMA2000 is a 3G mobile telecommunications standard, one of the approved radio interfaces for the ITUs IMT-2000 standard, and a successor to 2G CDMA (IS-95, branded cdmaOne). ... 3G is the third generation of mobile phone standards and technology, after 2G. It is based on the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) family of standards under the International Mobile Telecommunications programme, IMT-2000. 3G technologies enable network operators to offer users a wider range of more advanced services while achieving... IS-2000 is the second generation of CDMA digital cellular, an extension of IS-95. ... Pseudorandom noise is a signal similar to noise which satisfies one or more of the standard tests for statistical randomness. ... For other uses, see Patent (disambiguation). ...

As can be deduced from the above, most mobile phone networks now use one of two standards, GSM or CDMA. A third standard, iDEN, is found in over 20 countries around the world. Global System for Mobile communications (GSM: originally from Groupe SpÃ©cial Mobile) is the most popular standard for mobile phones in the world. ... General Information Generically (as a multiplexing scheme), code division multiple access (CDMA) is any use of any form of spread spectrum by multiple transmitters to send to the same receiver on the same frequency channel at the same time without harmful interference. ... The title of this article is incorrect because of technical limitations. ...

Data communications

Mobile phones are now heavily used for data communications such as SMS messages, browsing mobile web sites, and even streaming audio and video files. The main limiting factors are the size of the screen, lack of a keyboard, processing power and connection speed. Most cellphones, which supports data communications, can be used as wireless modems (via cable or bluetooth), to connect computer to internet. Such access method is slow and expensive, but it can be available in very remote areas. â€œSMSâ€ redirects here. ... A website, Web site or WWW site (often shortened to just site) is a collection of webpages, that is, HTML/XHTML documents accessible via HTTP on the Internet; all publicly accessible websites in existence comprise the World Wide Web. ... // Overview Mobile phones (either GPRS, CDMA, or some other type) can be employed as data modem to form a wireless access point connecting a personal computer to The Internet (or some proprietary network). ...

With newer smartphones, screen resolution and processing power has become bigger and better. Some new phone CPUs run at over 400 MHz. Many complex programs are now available for the various smartphones, such as Symbian and Windows Mobile. A smartphone is generally considered any handheld device that integrates personal information management and mobile phone capabilities in the same device. ... â€œCPUâ€ redirects here. ... Symbian OS is an operating system with associated libraries, user interface frameworks and reference implementations of common tools, produced by Symbian. ... Windows Mobile is a compact operating system combined with a suite of basic applications for mobile devices based on the Microsoft Win32 API. Devices which run Windows Mobile include Pocket PCs, Smartphones, and Portable Media Centers. ...

Connection speed is based on network support. Originally data transfers over GSM networks were possible only over CSD (circuit switched data), it has bandwidth of 9600 bit/s and usually is billed by connection time (from network point of view, it does not differ much from voice call). Later, there were introduced improved version of CSD - HSCSD (high speed CSD), it could use multiple time slots for downlink, improving speed. Maximum speed for HSCSD is ~42 kbit/s, it also is billed by time. Later was introduced GPRS (general packet radio service), which operates on completely different principle. It also can use multiple time slots for transfer, but it does not tie up radio resources, when not transferring data (as opposed to CSD and like). GPRS usually is prioritized under voice and CSD, so latencies are large and variable. Later, GPRS was upgraded to EDGE, which differs mainly by radio modulation, squeezing more data capacity in same radio bandwidth. GPRS and EDGE usually are billed by data traffic volume. Some phones also feature real keyboards, such as the LG enV. Circuit Switched Data, often known as CSD, is the original form of data transmission developed for the GSM mobile phone system. ... High-Speed Circuit-Switched Data (HSCSD), is a development of Circuit Switched Data, the original data transmission mechanism of the GSM mobile phone system. ... General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) is a Mobile Data Service available to users of Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) and IS-136 mobile phones. ... Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE) or Enhanced GPRS (EGPRS), is a digital mobile phone technology that allows it to increase data transmission rate and improve data transmission reliability. ... The Verizon Wireless LG enV (pronounced envy), also known as the VX9900, is a Bluetooth-enabled and V CAST-ready mobile phone that includes a full keyboard and a 2. ...

As of April 2006, several models, such as the Nokia 6680, support 3G communications. Such phones have access to the Web via a free download of the Opera browser. Verizon Wireless models come with Internet Explorer pre-loaded onto the phone. Nokia 6680 imaging smartphone Three closely related handsets running the Symbian Series 60 operating system, the Nokia 6680, 6681 and 6682 feature Bluetooth, a 1. ... 3G is the third generation of mobile phone standards and technology, after 2G. It is based on the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) family of standards under the International Mobile Telecommunications programme, IMT-2000. 3G technologies enable network operators to offer users a wider range of more advanced services while achieving... Opera is a cross-platform internet software suite consisting of a web browser, e-mail/news client, address book, newsfeed reader, IRC chat client, and download manager. ... Cellco Partnership, doing business as Verizon Wireless, is the largest American wireless company and largest wireless data provider, based on revenue. ... Windows Internet Explorer (formerly Microsoft Internet Explorer abbreviated MSIE), commonly abbreviated to IE, is a series of proprietary graphical web browsers developed by Microsoft and included as part of the Microsoft Windows line of operating systems starting in 1995. ...

New features

There are also new means of digital communications, such as text messaging and e-mail. As of 2004, even basic phones can send and receive text messages which makes them vulnerable to attack by worms and viruses^{[citation needed]}. Advanced phones capable of e-mail can be susceptible to viruses that can multiply by sending messages through a phone's address book^{[citation needed]}. Of more important concern, a virus may allow unauthorized users to access a phone to find passwords or corporate data stored on the device. Moreover, they can be used to commandeer the phone to make calls or send messages at the owner's expense^{[citation needed]}. Unlike computers that are restricted to only a few widespread operating systems, cellular phones use a variety of systems that require separate programs to be designed in order to disable each one. While reducing overall compatibility from an application design standpoint, this has the beneficial effect of making it harder to design a mass attack. However, the rise of cellular phone operating system programming platforms shared by many manufacturers such as Java, Microsoft operating systems, Linux, or Symbian OS, may in the future change this status quo. A received SMS being announced on a Nokia phone. ... For other uses, see Worm (disambiguation). ... This article is about biological infectious particles. ... Electronic mail, abbreviated e-mail or email, is a method of composing, sending, and receiving messages over electronic communication systems. ... A password is a form of secret authentication data that is used to control access to a resource. ... For other uses, see Data (disambiguation). ... This article is about the machine. ... An operating system (OS) is the software that manages the sharing of the resources of a computer. ... â€œJava languageâ€ redirects here. ... Microsoft Corporation, (NASDAQ: MSFT, HKSE: 4338) is a multinational computer technology corporation with global annual revenue of US$44. ... This article is about operating systems that use the Linux kernel. ... Symbian OS is a proprietary operating system, designed for mobile devices, with associated libraries, user interface frameworks and reference implementations of common tools, produced by Symbian Ltd. ...

Bluetooth is a wireless communication feature now found in many higher-end phones, and the virus Cabir hijacked this function, making Bluetooth phones infect other Bluetooth phones running the Symbian OS. In early November 2004, several web sites began offering a specific piece of software promising ringtones and screensavers for certain phones. Those who downloaded the software found that it turned each icon on the phone's screen into a skull-and-crossbones and disabled their phones, so they could no longer send or receive text messages or access contact lists or calendars. The virus has since been dubbed "Skulls" by security experts. The Commwarrior-A virus was identified in March 2005, and it attempts to replicate itself through MMS to others on the phone's contact list. Like Cabir, Commwarrior-A also tries to communicate via Bluetooth wireless connections with other devices, which can eventually lead to draining the battery. The virus requires user intervention for propagation however. Bluetooth telephones are also subject to bluejacking, which is the generally benign transmission of messages from anonymous Bluetooth users. In 2004, rumors spread of using Bluetooth to arrange casual sex hookups; this activity, widely publicized in both print and online media as toothing, was revealed to be a hoax in 2005. Bluetooth logo This article is about the electronic protocol named after Harald Bluetooth Gormson. ... For the use of the term in networking, see Wireless networking. ... Cabir (also known as EPOC.cabir and Symbian/Cabir) is the name of a computer worm developed in 2004 that is designed to infect mobile phones running Symbian OS. It is believed to be the first computer worm that can infect mobile phones. ... Computer software (or simply software) refers to one or more computer programs and data held in the storage of a computer for some purpose. ... A ringtone or ring tone is the sound made by a telephone to indicate an incoming call. ... A screensaver is a computer program originally designed to conserve the image quality of computer displays by blanking the screen or filling them with moving images or patterns when the computers are not in use. ... Look up icon in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... For other uses, see Calendar (disambiguation) A page from the Hindu calendar 1871â€“1872. ... Commwarrior-A is the first known mobile phone virus capable of replicating via MMS messages, which captured the worlds attention in March 2005. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... This Siemens M75 is Bluejacking the Sony Ericsson K600i pictured below This Sony Ericsson K600i is getting Bluejacked by the Siemens M75 pictured above Bluejacking is the sending of unsolicited messages over Bluetooth to Bluetooth-enabled devices such as mobile phones, PDAs or laptop computers, sending a vCard which typically... Toothing was originally a media hoax that claimed that Bluetooth-enabled mobile phones or PDAs were being used to arrange random sexual encounters. ...

Video cameras

As of April 2006, there has been a significant enhancement of the camera capability of mobile phones both for still photograph and video. One the highest quality mobile phones is the Nokia N95, which has a 5M pixel camera. The Nokia N93 is reported to provide "DVD quality" video at 30 frames per second. Modern software allows simple editing and publishing of video content from phones, and CNN reports that 80% of consumer video is now shot on phones. The Nokia N95 is a smartphone produced by Nokia. ... Nokia N93 (black and silver versions) The Nokia N93 is a smartphone by Nokia especially designed for multimedia use. ... The Cable News Network, commonly known as CNN, is a major cable television network founded in 1980 by Ted Turner. ...

Most people do not walk around with a video camera, but do carry a phone. The arrival of video camera phones is transforming the availability of video to consumers, and is helping to fuel the idea of Citizen journalism. Citizen journalism, also known as participatory journalism, or people journalism is the act of citizens playing an active role in the process of collecting, reporting, analyzing and disseminating news and information, according to the seminal report We Media: How Audiences are Shaping the Future of News and Information, by Shayne...

Encyclopedia > Mobile phone features

Contents