Bluetooth - a communications specification designed to enable PDAs, mobile phones, computers, and other devices to share information and synchronize data. This technology requires a transceiver chip in each device. Bluetooth products should enter the market in 2000-2001. Devices will operate in the 2.4Ghz band, sending data at 720 Kbps within a 30 foot range.

CDMA (Code Division Multiple Acess) - using military technology originally developed by the Allies in WWII, it spreads transmisions over all available frequencies. Conversations are assigned a code which is used to reassemble it upon arrival. This allows multiple calls to be carried over one channel.

CDPD (Cellular Digital Packet Data) - a digital data transmission technology developed for cellular networks. Operating at 19.2 Kbps, it sends data over constantly changing open intervals in voice channels. If the system is busy, the data is sent when a channel opens up.

Cradle - a stand or bracket designed to hold a phone or handheld computer in place on your desktop, or mounted to your dashboard. It may incorporate recharging or data transfer functions.

EDGE (Enhanced Data GSM Environment) - intended as incremental step toward 3G services. It operates at 384 Kbps, and enables multimedia transmissions and broadband applications for mobile phones and computers.

EPOC - an operating systems for handheld computers and mobile phones with Web access. It's an open operating system developed by Psion, and now licensed by Symbian. EPOC's main competitor is Windows CE.

GPRS (General Packet Radio Services) - provides packet-based, rather than circuit-switched connections on mobile networks. Data rates should range from 56 up to 150 Kbps. The as-needed (rather than dedicated) connections should bring down the cost of data services. Based on the GSM standard, this is an incremental step toward Enhanced Data GSM Environment (EDGE) and 3G services.

GPS (Global Positioning System) - a satellite-based system for determining your location within 10 to 100 meters, depending on the accuracy of the equipment. Originally used for military and scientific applications, GPS receivers are now widely available in everything from cars to wrist watches.

GSM (Global System for Mobile communication) - the standard digital cellular system in Europe, Asia, and other parts of the world. It is a variation on TDMA, with a data transfer rate of 9.6Kbps.

HDML (Handheld Device Markup Language) - a language that formats information for mobile phones or handheld computers in the same way that HTML does for PCs. It was originally developed by Unwired Planet (now phone.com) and is considered to be the forerunner of WML (Wireless Markup Language). Most current HDML browsers are capable of interpreting WML sites.

i-Mode - a packet based mobile phone service from Japan's NTT DoCoMo. I-Mode operates at 9.6 Kbps and uses a simplified version of HTML rather than WML. Its next generation system should support rates of 384 Kbps, enabling multimedia applications.

MSA/RSA (Metropolitan Statistical Area/Rural Service Area) - MSAs are cities with at least 50,000 people, or urban areas with at least 100,000, and the counties that include these areas. RSAs are all areas not included in MSAs. The FCC licenses and assigns freqencies in these areas, allowing multiple carriers.

Palm OS - the operating system originally designed for the Palm series of PDAs. Palm has since been purchased by 3Com, but they still develop and license the OS. Unlike operating systems used by other handhelds, the Palm OS is built to function on a particular type of device.

PCS (Personal Communications Services) - an all-digital set of cellular services operating in the 1850-1990 MHz bands. PCS technologies include CDMA, TDMA, AND GSM.

PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) - a small handheld device commonly used as a mobile computer or personal organizer. Many PDAs incorporate small keyboards, while others use touchscreens with handwriting recognition. Some of these devices have Internet capabilities, either through a built-in or add-on modem.

Pocket PC (formerly Windows CE) - an upgraded version of Windows CE that offers greater stability and a new interface. Features include mobile Internet capabilities, an e-book reader, and handwriting recognition.

Smartphone/Webphone - a mobile, digital telephone that has features not associated with traditional home or mobile phones. These features include Internet access, simple text messaging, and data services.

SMS (Short Messaging Service) - originally part of the GSM system, it refers to any text messaging service available on digital mobile phones.

TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access) - divides cellular channels into three time slots, increasing data capacity. This lets multiple users or conversations to be carried on the same channel.

Two-way paging/Interactive paging/Two-way Messaging - sending and receiving data over the Web, via the paging network.

WAP (Wireless Access Protocol)Faaborg luxury hotels - a set of standards that allows Web access on mobile devices. WAP is supported by most wireless networks and operating systems. It supports HTML and XML, but is designed for WML.

Web Clipping - the process of pulling specific information from a web page so that it can be displayed on a webphone or PDA.

Windows CE - a version of Windows designed to run on PDAs or other small devices. CE was renamed Pocket PC with the version 3.0 release.

WML (Wireless Markup Language) - a language developed to control the presentation of web pages on mobile phones and PDA in the same way that HTML does for PCs. Part of the Wireless Access Protocol (WAP), WML is an open standard, and is supported by most mobile phones.

XHTML - a reworking of HTML 4.0 designed to work as a application of XML. It allows anyone to create sets of markup tags for new purposes.