So finally the Apple iPhone 3g is here and I must say that most of the people are quite happy to see it. But seriously speaking how is that 3G technology is going to be of help when we still have older 2G technology??

By the way what does this whole 3G, 2G, WAP and many other Jargons that come as a bundled gift with our day to day use telephony means??

Well there are a very few who might have an idea about these magical terms, but for rest of us it’s better  to give some excise to out the grey cells.

3G

3G is short for the new third generation service of mobile communications that include better connectivity and higher speeds in terms of data transfer that is the base of any communication. 3G phones feature new services such as high speed Internet access, video/audio streaming, downloads and video calling.

Analog Transmission

The first generation of mobile phone technology in which radio signals are modulated proportionally by the strength and frequency of audio sounds.

Band

Mobile networks operate on the standard radio frequencies, just like a radio. For example the GSM900 and GSM1800 frequencies. These frequencies are also called Bands. So the more number of bands a phone can support the better it is in terms of connectivity. And many countries even have Tri band and Quad band networks too.

Bluetooth

Bluetooth is short range wireless technology that enables you to send and receive messages, pictures and video clips to other Bluetooth enabled handsets or devices.

Built-in camera

Most mobile phones have a digital camera as an integral part of the phone. This built-in capability allows you to take photos without having to carry an attachable camera in addition to your phone. Now days the cameras on cell phones range from 1 Megapixel to 8 Megapixel, and come with options like autofocus and optical zoom.

GPRS

General Packet Radio Service. A technology that allows customers to remain connected to the network for the receipt and transmission of data. GPRS is the basic connection that allows mobile devices to connect to internet.

GSM

The Global System for Mobile communications. Originally defined as a standard for digital cellular telephone networks to support communication, it is one of the world\'s main digital mobile standards.

HSDPA

High Speed Downlink Packet Access widely regarded as the next enhancement to 3G, also referred to as superfast 3G.

IMEI

The IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) is a unique 15-digit code used to identify individual GSM mobile phones. The IMEI can be displayed on most phones by dialling the code *#06#. Also, it is usually printed on your phone under the battery.

Media messaging (MMS)

Media messaging is also known as picture messaging and multimedia messaging (MMS). It is the ability to send and receive messages including photos, text, sounds, and images from media messaging capable mobile phones and the Internet to other media messaging capable mobile phones and e-mail accounts.

Megabyte (MB)

GPRS data usage is measured in megabytes (MB). One megabyte is a million bytes, or a thousand Kilobytes.

PDA

Personal Digital Assistant.

Personal Hands-free

A standard personal hands free kit plugs into your phone and is easy and convenient to use. A personal hands free kit usually has a one-touch answer facility, a remote button for answering and terminating calls. Apart from just calling a personal hands-free kit also allows you to listen to FM radio or even to MP3 songs in case of multimedia mobile phones.

Polyphonic

Polyphonic ringtones are better quality than the standard ringtones available because they have several tone series, which allows you to give your phone a ringtone that sounds something close to richer music rather than just old “Beep Beep”.

Predictive text input

For typing messages, predictive text input, also known as T9 Text Input is generally twice as fast as multi-tapping, and it is the easiest way to type text using the limited keypad on a mobile phone.

By using the letters grouped on each phone key and a \'fast access\' database, T9 software requires just one key press per letter to quickly recognise the most commonly used word for a specific key sequence. For example, you can enter the word \'how\' with only three keys: 4-6-9. You\'d have to use twice as

SIM Card

SIM Card is the brain of any mobile device. It stores all sorts of information for you and for network provider. Quite simply, if you don\'t have one you can\'t make or receive any calls at all. When your SIM Card is in place and your phone is switched on it helps your network provider identify what types of calls you can make from your mobile.

SMS

A service sometimes known as text messaging, or the common Short Messaging Service (SMS) which enables mobile telephone users to send and receive short messages on their handsets.

Stand-by Time

The amount of time you can leave your fully charged phone turned on before the phone battery completely dies out.

Talk Time

The length of time you can talk on your phone without recharging the battery. The battery capacity of a phone is usually expressed in terms of so many hours of talk time or so many hours of standby time. When you\'re talking, the phone draws additional power from the battery.

Video calling

The ability of some 3G enabled phones to make calls while showing a live video stream of the person you are speaking to so that you can see as well as hear them.

WAP

Wireless Application Protocol.  A global, open standard for accessing online services through mobile devices. WAP gives you text-based information from the web in a format that is easy for a mobile screen to display and quick to download.