Frequently Used Acronyms in the PPC/Smart Phone World

The contents of this page are mainly from xda-developers.com and wikipedia.org.

.CAB Files : Cabinet - is the Microsoft Windows native compressed archive format. cab files are files used to install programs. cab files are similar to what you might know as .exe files from your PC. cab files can be downloaded directly to your Hermes with Wifi or GPRS, you can also transfer them to your Hermes using File Explorer on your PC. cab files are not supposed to be unpacked/unzipped on the PC. Copy the intact .cab file as you downloaded it directly to your Hermes

ActiveSync :This program by Microsoft is what we all use to connect to our computers at work or at home. It allows contacts, tasks, emails and Calendar events to be synchronised with Outlook aswell as such things as media and favorites. In Windows Vista this has been replaced by the Windows Mobile Device Center. In addition ActiveSync allows browsing of the device in Windows Explorer.

AKU: Adaptation Kit Update - they usually patch up existing bugs and enable several new features. Each newly released AKU pack retains fixes found in previous versions of AKU. Starting with Windows Mobile 5 Microsoft began a policy of updates similar to that of the desktop windows. Rather the replacing the whole OS some functionality may be added. For example AKU 2.0 introduced push mail. These updates are distributed through the OEMs and are given to the consumer in form of ROM updates. Note that OEM may choose not to create an update with the latest AKU for their devices. Getting an AKU for your phone is like getting the SP2 (Service Pack 2) for your Windows Xp.

Application Unlock: Most Windows Mobile devices only allow you to load applications that have an acceptable digital signature. If you try to edit the registry or load an application it will give you an error. Application Unlocking removes this barrier and allows you to install any application or edit the registry to your liking.

Baked ROM : that the original shipped complete ROM (CE, Extended and radio) has been modified. A Baked ROM could have a CE ROM from one operator, a Radio stack from a second operator, an Extended ROM from a third operator or even a “cooked” extended ROM.

Bootloader : The bootloader is the first thing to load once you turn on the device, this does the job of booting up the device hardware and loading various items into memory before the ROM starts in the device. The bootloader is also responsible for enabling the flashing of new ROMs and other components such as the Radio and the Ext_ROM. Two modified bootloaders for the Hermes are HardSPL and SSPL. To enter the bootloader, press and hold the OK and POWER buttons while inserting the stylus into the reset hole on the bottom of the Hermes.

Chef / Cook : Its a term coined by the developer community to refer to people who build custom ROMs ( ie; people who cooks ROM ). Personal favourites are : Jasjamming and Schaps

CID lock (aka vendor lock): Carrier Id - put on your device by the manufacturer to prevent installation of a ROM not released by them. Commonly used in the form `CID-Unlocking`. If you purchase your phone (example) from 3Mobile (3Mobile is the ‘carrier’), your phone will only accept 3Mobile ROMs (the carrier’s ROMs). If you want to flash ROMs from other carrier, you’ll need to CID-unlock your phone, so that your phone will accept other ROMs. All bootloaders (apart from HardSPL and SSPL) will only allow a ROM with the correct CID to be flashed onto the device. A device which has been CID unlocked will have ‘SuperCID’ which allows ANY ROM to be loaded onto the device, SuperCID also unlocks the Ext_ROM and allows it to be mounted. Note: In general, the phrase ‘unlock your phone’ usually refers to SIM-unlock, not CID unlock.

Cooked ROM : means that the ROM has been modified with other files

CustomRUU: is an RUU (Rom Upgrade Utility) which has support for all SPL versions including HardSPL and SSPL.

Device Lock : The device lock is a today screen plugin that locks all the buttons (and the touch screen) until you unlock it, it will allow you to answer calls. To use it simply tap the ‘device unlocked’ today item and it will lock the device, to unlock press the left hand soft key and tap the unlock button on screen.

Dopod 838 Pro / i-mate JASJAM / O2 Xda Trion / HTC TyTN : all of these are essentially the same deice

ExtROM: Extended ROM - is the section of the ROM which the distributor of the phone (eg O2, T-Mobile, iMate, etc) store their customization (eg Today theme, ring tones, extra software) data. In WM5, the customization data will be automatically installed after the initial configuration (after every hardreset), just after the security section. In most cases, ExtROM can be unlocked to allow users to store/build their own customizations that will be automatically installed upon every hardreset.

Firmware: This is a piece of software that is stored in a device to make it function. It is, unlike ordinary software, usually semi-permanent and resides in a non-volatile storage area which is unaffected by “hard resetting” a device. The term usually refers to low-level code that controls individual hardware components such as a radio rom.

Flashing : a ROM is the process putting a new ROM on your device or otherwise know as upgrading.

Hard Reset : Switch the device off. Press and hold the Left SOFT KEY and Right SOFT KEY, and at the same time, use the stylus to press the RESET button at the bottom of your device. You will be presented with a menu saying ‘press R to reset, X to exit’. If you press R, your device will be set back to factory default settings. Hard Reset will delete all data you have put on the device: Programs, Settings, Mail, SMS, MMS, etc., so be careful and make a backup before doing this. After a hard reset, you will have a complete clean new install of Windows Mobile on your device. Data on \Storage Card & \Extended_Rom folder will not be deleted

HardSPL : This modified bootloader (by Olipro) allows a much safer flashing process to take place since it reduces the chance of permenently bricking your Hermes device. It also removes the need to CID Unlock the device since it ALWAYS reports SuperCID when flashing.

IPL: Initial Program Loader - It boots up SPL. Its the bootloader for PPC, much like the BIOS is the boot loader for your PC. Note: IPL/SPL are highly hardware dependent, flashing the wrong IPL/SPL is much more serious than a flashing the wrong ROM. It may be noted that, sometimes a ROM package also contains the IPL/SPL which will be flashed into your phone. Hence be extra careful what you are flashing. Note: although a ROM may also contains the IPL/SPL

OEM : Original Equipment Manufacturer - is a company that supplied equipment to other companies to resell or incorporate into another product using the reseller’s brand name.

OS: Operating System - the platform software for your phone, much like the Windows Xp/Vista for your PC. Upgrading the OS is like, in PC terms upgrading from Windows XP to Windows Vista. Os for PPC are WM2002, WM 2003, WM2003SE, WM5, WM6

PIE : Pocket Internet Explorer - is the default browser that comes with the Windows Mobile Operating System.

PPC : Pocket PC - is a hardware specification for a Personal digital assistant that runs the Microsoft Windows Mobile operating system.

Program memory: The non-persistent memory part of WM5, which is used for all the temporary memory requirements, much like the RAM of your PC. A soft-reset or flat battery will erase everything from the program memory. You can’t adjust the ratio of Storage memory and Program memory in WM5 like WinCE2003.

Radio: commonly used in the form `upgrading the Radio/GSM` - in the field of ROM upgrading. The `Radio` is essentially a ROM that controls the phone function part (as oppose to PDA function part) of your phone. Upgrading this `Radio` software may have effect on your phone reception quality, battery life (optimized phone function), signal strength, etc.

RIL: Radio Interface Layer -

ROM: Read Only Memory - commonly used in the form of `ROM upgrade`. The ROM is the firmware/software, which controls everything on your phone. ROM itself usually comes in a package, with IPL/SPL, OS, Radio, and ExtRom. However, in most cases, `upgrading a ROM` usually means just the OS and the ExtRom, as these are the obvious/visible part of an ROM upgrade.

RTM : Release to Manufacturing or Ready to Market.

RUU: ROM Upgrade Utility - Its the s/w used on your PC to do a ROM upgrade for your PPC

SHIPPED: An OEM's ROM (Manufacturer).

SIM: Subscriber Identity Module - commonly used in the form `SIM unlock`. Some phones are locked to the specific telco from which you purchase your phone, eg you can’t use a locked 3Mobile phone with a Vodaphone SIM/smart card. To use SIM card from other telco, you need to SIM unlock your phone. Note: In general, the phrase ‘unlock your phone’ usually refers to SIM-unlock, not CID unlock.SIM Unlock: Use any carrier’s SIM in the device.

SIP : Software Input Panel - for devices that does not have a hardware keyboard the SIP is used to enter data on to the PPC eg: the software keyboard, Symbol Pad, Block Recoganizer, etc . Note : SIP can also stand for Session Initiation Protocol , check the wikipedia entry SIP as a voice over IP protocol.

Smartphone : Pre WM6 class, Smartphone is defined as a mobile phone which offers advanced capabilities like that of a PC. It will not have a touchscreen as compared to a Pocket PC. With the introduction of WM6 all mobile phone devices running Windows Mobile are no classed as Windows Mobile powered Smartphones

Soft Reset : Put your stylus in the hole in the lower left corner. Soft Reset will reboot your device just like when you reboot your PC. No data will be lost, under normal circumstances.

SPL: Secondary Program Loader - Loads the actual OS.

SSPL : is a modified bootloader (by Des) which is loaded into RAM when run, this allows us to overwrite any aspect of the ROM, Radio or Bootloader far easier than using mtty.

Storage memory: The persistent memory part of WM5, where all the files and documents are kept, much like the hard disk of your PC. Data in the storage memory is unaffected by soft-reset or a flat battery. You can’t adjust the ratio of Storage memory and Program memory in WM5 like WinCE2003.

SuperCID : by CID unlocking your device the value of the CID is changed to SuperCID . This allows the flashing of ANY ROM to the device regardless of the carrier and also unlocks the read/write capability of the Ext_ROM.

Touch Cube : usually simply referred to as the Cube. It is a 3d navigation interface created by HTC that uses their TouchFlo technology. The interface was introduced with the HTC Touch and has since been used in several other devices. It has also been ported to devices that pre-date the Touch.

TouchFlo : This is the HTC version of the flick-to-scroll technology often associated with the iPhone. This is not to be confused with the Touch Cube which is another HTC technology. It was 1st seen in HTC Touch.

TouchFlo 3D : this was code named ” Manilla ” and is another HTC technology , its an extension on to the today screen to give the user a finger friendly approach to using the PPC. It was 1st seen with the Touch Diamond.

UI : User Interface - some notable examples would be TouchFlo, PointUI

USSD : Unstructured Supplementary Service Data - is a capability of all GSM phones. It is generally associated with real-time or instant messaging type phone services. There is no store-and-forward capability that is typical of ‘normal’ short messages. Response times for interactive USSD based services are generally quicker than those used for SMS. Its used to send text between a mobile phone and an application program in the network eg: *123# for balance etc.

USIM : Universal Subscriber Identity Module - is an SIM for UMTS mobile telephony running on 3G mobile network.

WindowsCE / WinCE : aka Windows Embedded CE since version 6.0 Microsoft has stated that the ‘CE’ is not an intentional initialism, but many people believe CE stands for ‘Consumer Electronics’ or ‘Compact Edition’;The first version, was known during development under the codename “Pegasus”.

WM: Windows Mobile - the OS of the PPC

WM Classic : Windows Mobile Classic - the OS for PPC device without a phone.

WM Professional : Windows Mobile Professional - the OS for Phone enabled device with a touchscreen (formerly Phone Edition).

WM Standard : Windows Mobile Standard - the OS for Phone enabled device without a touchscreen (formerly Smartphone).

WWE Edition: World Wide English Edition - Its usually appended along with new ROM releases , to show that its a ROM that will have English as the default Language

WDA : Wireless Digital Assistant - This is the term that Hewlett Packard coined with their new 928 WDA Pocket PC 2002 Phone Edition which integrates a cell phone with a Pocket PC.

XDA : Extended Digital Assistant - This the term that O2 coined with their new Pocket PC 2002 Phone Edition which integrates a cell phone with a Pocket PC.

XIP : Execute in Place - The execution of a program stored in ROM or flash that is run directly from the location where it is stored. The execution does not require the program to be copied into ram before execution. This reduces the amount of ram that an application requires since it does not all have to load into RAM.

Special Thanks : awarner (MVP) @ MoDaCo