Gadgets Glossary Nepal | Brother-mart

Gadget Glossary

A handy guide to common tech terms for mobile phones, smartwatches, speakers, and more.

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2.5G

A mobile network technology that served as an upgrade from 2G, providing enhanced data communications for basic services like MMS and WAP access.

3G

The third generation of mobile network technology, which introduced higher-speed internet access for mobile phones, enabling smoother video and music downloads.

3.5mm Headphone Jack

A standard port for connecting wired headphones or external speakers. While many modern devices have removed this port, its presence is a key feature for users who prefer wired audio accessories.

4G

The fourth generation of mobile network technology, also known as **LTE**. It provides significantly faster mobile internet speeds than 3G, enabling high-definition video streaming and faster downloads. This is the most widely used mobile network in Nepal today.

4K Resolution

A display or video resolution that is approximately 4000 pixels wide (3840x2160 pixels). It provides a sharper and more detailed image than Full HD (1080p) and is found in high-end phones, TVs, and projectors. In Nepal, it's a key feature for high-quality home entertainment.

5G Connectivity

The fifth generation of mobile network technology. It offers significantly faster data speeds, lower latency, and greater capacity than 4G. It's the current standard for modern smartphones and smartwatches, and is a key feature for users wanting future-proof devices in Nepal as the network is gradually expanding.

A

A-GPS

Assisted GPS. This technology uses cellular networks to speed up the process of a phone determining its location, allowing for faster navigation and app usage. This is especially useful in areas with a weak satellite signal.

AAC (Advanced Audio Coding)

A standard for lossy digital audio compression. It is the default audio format for Apple devices and offers better sound quality than MP3 at similar bitrates.

Accelerometer

A sensor that detects a device's acceleration and orientation. It is used in smartphones and smartwatches for features like step counting, screen rotation, and motion-controlled games.

Airplane Mode

A setting that disables all wireless communication features on a device, including cellular, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth. It's used on flights or when you need a distraction-free experience.

AMOLED

Active-Matrix Organic Light-Emitting Diode. A type of display technology where each pixel generates its own light. This results in perfect blacks, infinite contrast, and vibrant colors. It is found in many premium smartphones and smartwatches, a key feature for an immersive viewing experience.

ANC (Active Noise Cancellation)

A technology that uses microphones to detect ambient noise and generates an opposing sound wave to cancel it out. This feature is common in premium earbuds and headphones, creating a quiet listening environment. A must-have for commuters and travelers in Nepal.

Android

A mobile operating system developed by Google. It is used by a vast range of smartphone manufacturers, including Samsung, Xiaomi, and Google Pixel. This is one of the most popular mobile operating systems in Nepal.

ANSI Lumens

A standardized measure of projector brightness. It is a more reliable unit than "lumens" as it provides an accurate representation of the projector's true light output. Higher ANSI lumens are needed for projectors used in rooms with ambient light.

Aperture

The opening in a camera lens that allows light to pass through. A wider aperture (indicated by a smaller f-number like f/1.8) lets in more light, which is ideal for low-light photography and creating a blurred background.

aptX

A family of proprietary audio codec compression algorithms. It is used to transmit high-quality audio wirelessly over Bluetooth, offering a better listening experience than the standard SBC codec.

Auto-focus

A camera feature that automatically adjusts the lens to bring a subject into focus. This is a crucial feature for taking sharp photos and videos without manual adjustments.

AVRCP (Audio/Video Remote Control Profile)

A Bluetooth profile that allows a device to remotely control another device. For example, it lets you control the music playback on your phone using your smartwatch or wireless earbuds.

B

Bar

A form factor for a mobile phone that is a single, solid piece, similar to a candy bar. This is the most common design for modern smartphones.

Band

The frequency range a mobile phone uses to communicate with a cellular network. **Dual-band, tri-band, and quad-band** phones can operate on multiple frequencies, allowing them to be used in different regions.

Bass Port

A structural opening in a speaker enclosure that enhances low-end sounds by improving airflow. Speakers with a bass port tend to produce a more impactful and deeper bass sound.

Battery Capacity (mAh)

Measured in milliampere-hours (**mAh**), this indicates the amount of energy a battery can store. A higher mAh rating means the battery can provide power for a longer duration. This is a key specification for power banks, phones, and smartwatches, and is a top priority for Nepali customers.

Bezels

The frame or border around a phone or display screen. Modern phones often have very small bezels to maximize the screen-to-body ratio.

Biometrics

Technology that uses a person's unique physical characteristics for identification, such as fingerprint sensors or facial recognition. This is a key security feature in modern phones and smartwatches.

Bluetooth

A short-range wireless technology standard used to connect devices like speakers, earbuds, and smartwatches over a short distance.

Broadband

A high-speed internet connection, faster than traditional dial-up access. This term is often used to describe fast mobile internet services like 4G and 5G.

Byte

A unit of digital information that is equal to 8 bits. It is the basic unit of measurement for data storage, such as gigabytes (GB) and megabytes (MB).

C

Calculator

A software application on a phone or smartwatch that performs mathematical calculations.

Capacitive Touchscreen

A display screen that uses the electrical properties of the human body to detect touch. This is the standard technology for modern smartphone touchscreens, allowing for light and precise inputs.

Carrier

A mobile network operator that provides wireless communication services, such as Ncell or Nepal Telecom in Nepal.

Chipset

A set of electronic components in an integrated circuit that manages the data flow between the processor, memory, and peripherals. It's the foundation of a device's performance.

CPU

Central Processing Unit. The "brain" of a device, responsible for executing commands and running applications. A faster CPU results in a snappier, more responsive device.

D

D-Pad (Direction Pad)

A four-way directional control, usually shaped like a plus sign, used for navigation in games and user interfaces on older phones or gaming devices.

Digital Zoom

A method of enlarging a portion of an image by cropping and scaling it up. This differs from optical zoom and often results in a loss of image quality.

Display type

The technology used for a screen, such as LCD, OLED, or AMOLED. Each type offers different characteristics in terms of color, brightness, and power consumption.

Dual-SIM

A feature that allows a phone to hold and use two different SIM cards simultaneously. This is highly popular in Nepal for managing personal and work numbers on a single device.

E

EDGE

Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution. A mobile data standard, considered a pre-3G technology, that provided faster data speeds than GPRS.

Emoji

Small digital images or icons used to express an idea or emotion in electronic communication.

eSIM

An embedded SIM card. It's a digital SIM that allows you to activate a cellular plan from a carrier without having to use a physical nano-SIM card.

F

Feature Phone

A type of mobile phone that has more features than a basic phone but is not as advanced as a smartphone. It typically has a physical keypad.

Flash Memory

A type of non-volatile electronic storage that can be electrically erased and reprogrammed. It is used in memory cards, USB flash drives, and as the primary storage in smartphones.

FM Radio

A feature in some mobile phones that allows the user to listen to FM radio broadcasts without needing an internet connection, usually requiring wired headphones to act as an antenna.

Frame Rate (FPS)

Frames Per Second. The frequency at which consecutive images (frames) are displayed in a video. A higher FPS (e.g., 60fps) results in smoother motion.

G

Galileo

A global navigation satellite system (GNSS) created by the European Union. Many modern smartphones use it in conjunction with GPS for more accurate location tracking.

GPS

Global Positioning System. A satellite-based system that provides geolocation and time information to a receiver anywhere on or near the Earth.

GPU

Graphics Processing Unit. A specialized electronic circuit designed to rapidly manipulate and alter memory to accelerate the creation of images for output to a display device. Crucial for gaming and graphics-intensive apps.

H

HDR10+

An open, royalty-free High Dynamic Range format that improves upon HDR10 by using dynamic metadata to adjust brightness, contrast, and color on a scene-by-scene or even frame-by-frame basis, resulting in a more realistic and detailed picture.

Haptics

Tactile feedback technology which recreates the sense of touch by applying forces, vibrations, or motions to the user. Used in smartphones for notifications and immersive user experiences.

Hotspot

A feature that allows a smartphone to share its cellular data connection with other devices via Wi-Fi, creating a personal wireless network.

Hz (Hertz)

A unit of frequency equal to one cycle per second. In displays, it refers to the refresh rate, with higher numbers (e.g., 90Hz, 120Hz) indicating smoother motion.

I

Image Signal Processor (ISP)

A dedicated processor in a smartphone that handles tasks related to image processing, such as noise reduction, color correction, and autofocus, to improve camera quality.

IP Ratings

Ingress Protection ratings. A standard that classifies the degree of protection provided by an enclosure for electrical equipment against dust and water. For example, IP68 means a device is dust-tight and can be submerged in water.

IMEI

International Mobile Equipment Identity. A unique 15-digit number that identifies a specific mobile phone, used for tracking and blocking stolen devices.

J

Java

A programming language and computing platform. It was a popular language for developing apps on older feature phones and is still used in many modern applications.

K

KB (Kilobyte)

A unit of digital information storage equal to 1,024 bytes. Used to measure the size of small files.

Key Guard

A feature that locks the keypad of a mobile phone to prevent accidental button presses.

L

LCD

Liquid Crystal Display. A type of flat-panel display that uses a backlight to illuminate pixels. It is a common screen technology in budget to mid-range smartphones.

LED

Light Emitting Diode. A semiconductor device that emits light when current flows through it. Used for notifications, camera flashes, and as backlights for LCD screens.

Loudspeaker

An internal speaker in a phone used for hands-free calls, playing music, and alarms without the need for headphones.

M

Magnetometer

A sensor that measures magnetic fields. In smartphones, it functions as a digital compass.

Megapixel

One million pixels. Used to measure the resolution of a digital camera's sensor. A higher megapixel count allows for more detail in a photograph.

Micro USB

An older, smaller version of the USB connector, once the standard for charging and data transfer on most Android phones and accessories. It has largely been replaced by USB-C.

N

NFC

Near Field Communication. A short-range wireless technology that allows for quick data exchange between devices when they are close together, commonly used for contactless payments.

Numeric keypad

A physical 12-key layout (0-9, *, #) found on feature phones for dialing numbers and typing text messages using T9 predictive input.

O

OEM

Original Equipment Manufacturer. A company that produces parts or equipment that may be marketed by another company.

OLED

Organic Light Emitting Diode. A display technology where each pixel produces its own light, resulting in true blacks, high contrast, and vibrant colors. See also AMOLED.

OS (Operating System)

The core software that manages all hardware and software on a device, providing the user interface. Examples include Android and iOS.

Optical Zoom

A true zoom feature that uses the camera's lens to magnify a subject without losing image quality, unlike digital zoom.

P

Pixel

The smallest unit of a digital image or display. The combination of many pixels creates the image you see on a screen.

Pixel density (PPI)

Pixels Per Inch. A measurement of the resolution of a screen. A higher PPI means more pixels are packed into a smaller area, resulting in a sharper, clearer image.

Port

A physical connection point on a device used to connect cables for charging, data transfer, or audio output, such as a USB-C port or a 3.5mm headphone jack.

Q

Quad-band

A mobile phone that can operate on four different frequency bands, allowing it to be used in most countries around the world.

QWERTY keyboard layout

The standard keyboard layout for Latin-script alphabets, named after the first six keys on the top letter row. It is used on physical and virtual keyboards.

R

RAM (Random-Access Memory)

A form of computer memory that can be read and changed in any order, typically used to store working data and machine code. More RAM allows a device to run more apps smoothly at the same time.

Resolution

The number of distinct pixels in each dimension that can be displayed. A higher resolution (e.g., 1080p, 4K) means a sharper and more detailed image.

Ringtone

The sound a phone makes to indicate an incoming call or text message.

S

SD (Secure Digital)

A type of removable memory card used to add storage to many electronic devices, including smartphones and cameras.

Smartphone

A mobile phone with an advanced operating system, a touchscreen interface, and internet connectivity, capable of running a wide range of applications.

Stereo Speakers

A pair of speakers that create a more immersive audio experience by separating sound into left and right channels.

T

Talk time (battery life)

The amount of time a user can talk on their mobile phone before the battery is depleted.

Tethering

The process of sharing a mobile device's internet connection with other connected computers or devices. See also Hotspot.

Touchscreen

A display screen that also acts as an input device, allowing users to interact directly with what is displayed by touching the screen.

U

UFS

Universal Flash Storage. A modern storage standard for mobile devices that offers significantly faster read and write speeds than older eMMC storage, leading to quicker app launch times and file transfers.

UI (User Interface)

The means by which the user and a computer system interact, in particular the use of input devices and software.

Unlocked phone

A mobile phone that is not tied to a specific carrier's network and can be used with any compatible SIM card.

USB (Universal Serial Bus)

A standard for cables, connectors, and protocols for connection, communication, and power supply between computers, peripherals, and other devices.

V

VGA (Video Graphics Array)

An older analog video connector standard used for computer monitors and projectors. It has largely been replaced by digital standards like HDMI and DisplayPort.

Video call

A phone call that includes a live video feed, allowing participants to see each other.

VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol)

A technology that allows you to make voice calls using a broadband Internet connection instead of a regular (or analog) phone line.

W

watchOS

The operating system of the Apple Watch, developed by Apple Inc.

Wearable Technology

Electronic devices that can be worn as accessories, embedded in clothing, implanted in the user's body, or even tattooed on the skin. Smartwatches and fitness trackers are common examples.

Wi-Fi

A wireless networking technology that allows devices such as computers, mobile phones, and other equipment to connect to the Internet or communicate with one another wirelessly within a particular area.

X

Xenon flash

A type of high-intensity flash used in some digital cameras and older camera phones, known for producing a very bright, short burst of light.