Puzzled by PQ? Thrown by 3G? Nonplussed by nVidia?
Here's hoping our handy Glossary can set you straight, like a bridge over troubled water.
Glossary Project Lead: 7e10 – Sujith Prathap
NB: See the Project Conversation below the Glossary Table for formatting conventions.
Term | Expansion | Explanation | More Info Links | |
NI FAQ Wiki |
External | |||
3G |
3rd Generation |
3G is a standard for mobile phones and mobile telecommunications services. Application services include wide-area wireless voice telephone, mobile Internet access, video calls and mobile TV, all in a mobile environment.
• ADAM optionally comes equipped with built-in 3G mobile broadband capability. At time of order you must select a frequency range. 850 MHz or 900 MHz. |
2i – Communication |
on Wikipedia |
802.11 |
IEEE 802.11 Standard
|
IEEE 802.11 is a set of standards carrying out wireless local area network (WLAN) computer communication in the 2.4, 3.6 and 5 GHz frequency bands, created and maintained by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.
• ADAM comes equipped with 802.11 b/g/n radio for Wi-Fi connectivity. |
2i – Communication |
on Wikipedia |
.APK |
Android PacKage file
|
An .APK file extension denotes an Android PacKage file. This file format is used for the distribution and installation of bundled components onto the Android mobile device platform.
• ADAM can install Android apps from .APK files with its Sniffer file-browsing app. |
Am I allowed to install 3rd-party applications by sideloading .APK files? |
on Wikipedia |
AMOLED |
Active Matrix Organic Light Emitting Diode
|
Active Matrix Organic Light Emitting Diodes are a new type of display which uses organic molecules to generate colored lights instead of inorganic compounds used in conventional LEDs. AMOLED displays don't require a backlight. As of 07 Jan 11, AMOLED screens have been used in mobile phones from Dell, Google, HTC, Nokia, and Samsung, but not in any tablet computers.
• AMOLED display technology is an alternative to the LCD and Pixel Qi screens available on ADAM. |
2e – Display |
on Wikipedia |
Android |
Android operating system |
Android is an operating system for mobile devices, based upon a modified version of the Linux kernel. Google and other members of the Open Handset Alliance collaborated to develop and release Android to the world.
• ADAM runs the Android operating system, with a custom user interface called Eden on top. |
3a – All about Eden and Android |
on Wikipedia |
Android Gingerbread |
Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) operating system |
Android version 2.3 is also known as Gingerbread.
• ADAM ships with a customized version of the Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) operating system. |
3a – All about Eden and Android |
on Android Developers |
Android Honeycomb |
Android 3.0 (Honeycomb) operating system
|
Android version 3.0, also known as Honeycomb, is the next version of the Android platform, designed from the ground up for devices with larger screen sizes, particularly tablets.
• ADAM will run Android 3.0 (Honeycomb) when it is released in mid-2011. |
3a – All about Eden and Android |
A Sneak Peek of Android 3.0, Honeycomb on Google Mobile Blog |
Android Market |
Android Market app store |
Android Market is an online app store developed by Google for Android devices. An app called "Market" is preinstalled on most Android devices and allows users to browse and download apps published by third-party developers, hosted on Android Market. • Until the release of Android 3.0 (Honeycomb), which will properly address the need for tablet-savvy apps, ADAM will not officially support the phone-centric Android Market, although ADAM can install Android apps from .APK files by sideloading with its Sniffer file-browsing app. ADAM has its own app store called Genesis. |
Android Market
on Wikipedia official website |
|
App |
Application Program |
App refers to a program downloaded and installed on a device (eg: ADAM). Apps are developed to perform a specific task. Apps are usually downloaded from an App Store, but can also be sideloaded. • ADAM comes with a wide range of stock apps pre-installed, and can install third-party apps by sideloading their .APK files using its Sniffer file-browsing app. |
on Wikipedia |
|
App Store |
Application Store |
An App Store is an online location where apps can be downloaded and installed on a computing device. Android devices can access Android apps from the Android Market app store.
• ADAM has its own app store called Genesis.
|
on Wikipedia on Wikipedia at Notion Ink |
|
ARM |
Advanced RISC Machine Acorn RISC Machine |
The ARM is a 32-bit reduced instruction set computer (RISC) instruction set architecture (ISA) developed by ARM Holdings, a British technology company from Cambridge, England, UK. The ARM architecture is the most widely used 32-bit ISA in terms of numbers of CPUs produced.
• ADAM is powered by twin ARM Cortex-A9 MPCore CPUs on its nVidia Tegra2 system-on-a-chip processor. |
2b – System-on-Chip |
on Wikipedia on Wikipedia |
AWE |
ADAM Web Experience |
• Once you experience ADAM, you too shall be in AWE. • It's been called AWEsome by reviewers. |
3c5 – Web Browser |
Introducing Eden – V The Browser on Rohan's NI Blog |
BT |
Bluetooth |
Bluetooth is a proprietary wireless technology standard for exchanging data over short distances (using short wavelength radio transmissions) from fixed and mobile devices, creating Personal Area Networks (PANs) with high levels of security.
• ADAM ships with Bluetooth 2.1 + Enhanced Data Rate (EDR) which makes pairing easy, lowers power consumption and has improved security. |
2i – Communication |
on Wikipedia |
Canvas |
Canvas Image Software |
• Canvas is the graphic app included with the ADAM, combining painting and drawing tools. |
3c10 – Canvas | Introducing Eden – IV on Rohan's NI Blog, including video of Wall-e being drawn using Canvas |
CEO |
Chief Executive Officer |
A Chief Executive Officer is the highest-ranking corporate officer (executive) or administrator in charge of total management of an organisation.
• Rohan Shravan (left) is the CEO of Notion Ink, the enterprise behind ADAM. |
Chief executive officer on Wikipedia |
|
Chrome OS |
Google Chrome operating system
|
Google Chrome OS is a forthcoming Linux operating system, based on Ubuntu and designed by Google to work exclusively with web applications. The user interface takes a minimalist approach, resembling that of the Chrome web browser. Because Google Chrome OS is aimed at users who spend most of their computer time on the Internet, the only application on the device will be a browser incorporating a media player. The expected launch date: early 2011 to mid-2011.
• Notion Ink initially announced the capability of running Android, ChromeOS and Ubuntu on ADAM; but as of December 2010, there is only an Android version available, with the custom Eden user interface built on top. There is speculation[S] that ADAM may support Chrome OS in the future. |
Which OS-es does ADAM support? on 3a – All about Eden and Android 1f – OS Alternatives
|
on Wikipedia |
CPU |
Central Processing Unit |
The CPU lies at the heart of a computer system, and takes care of all processing tasks. It handles the computer's arithmetic, logic and input/output operations.
• ADAM has twin ARM Cortex-A9 MPCore CPUs on its nVidia Tegra2 system-on-a-chip processor (left - click to enlarge). |
2b – System-on-Chip |
on Wikipedia |
DBMS |
Data Base Management System |
A Data Base Management System is a set of applications which specialize in storing and retrieving data records from one or more data repositories (bases). |
on Wikipedia |
|
DDR2 |
Double Data Rate 2 Memory |
DDR2 is a memory chip design which allows for a higher bus speed and requires lower power by running the internal clock at half the speed of the data bus.
• ADAM ships with 1GB of DDR2 RAM. |
2c – Memory and Storage |
on Wikipedia |
DHL |
Dalsey, Hillblom and Lynn
|
Deutsche Post DHL is a shipping company in international express, air and ocean freight, road and rail transportation, contract logistics and international mail services. A global network composed of more than 220 countries and territories and 300,000 employees worldwide offers customers superior service quality and local knowledge to satisfy their supply chain requirements.
• Notion Ink ships ADAM worldwide through DHL. |
4 – PRE-ORDERS, LAUNCH and ORDERING |
official website |
DOA |
Dead On Arrival |
Dead On Arrival refers to an electronic device that arrives either broken or non-functional on initial delivery of the device.
• ADAM DOA procedures are detailed in Notion Ink's Cancellation, Return and Refund Policy (caution: PDF link) document |
5 – WARRANTY and REPAIR |
on Wikipedia |
DRM |
Digital rights management |
Digital rights management is a term for access control technologies that can be used by hardware manufacturers, publishers, copyright holders and individuals to limit the usage of digital content and devices. The use of digital rights management is controversial: proponents argue it is needed by copyright holders to prevent unauthorized duplication of their work, while some opponents, such as the Free Software Foundation (through its Defective By Design campaign), maintain that the use of the word "rights" is misleading and suggest that people instead use the term digital restrictions management. |
Will the Music Player app be able to play DRM protected content? |
on Wikipedia |
EAP |
Early Adopter Program |
Notion Ink's Early Adopter Program is a scheme where people applied to get an ADAM before its official launch in order to develop apps or test the device. There were two successive groups, EAP1 and EAP2. |
none so far |
at Notion Ink on Rohan's NI Blog |
Eden |
Eden user interface |
In the scripture of the Abrahamic religions, Eden is the mythical setting for the origin of humankind.
• On ADAM, the Eden user interface sits on top of the underlying Android mobile operating system, mediating the user experience. Eden's Panel Engine delivers the visual metaphor for multitasking (left – click to enlarge). |
3a – All about Eden and Android |
Week-End Special Part IV – The Eden! on Rohan's NI Blog |
EDGE |
Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution |
EDGE is a digital mobile phone technology that allows improved data transmission rates as a backward-compatible extension of GSM on 3G networks.
• ADAM supports EDGE communication. |
2i – Communication |
on Wikipedia |
EDR |
Enhanced Data Rate |
Used in the context of Bluetooth, Enhanced Data Rate refers to the speed of transfer of data using Bluetooth. It has found a very significant number of applications, particularly in areas such as connecting mobile or cell phones to hands-free headsets.
• ADAM ships with Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR which makes pairing easy, lowers power consumption and has improved security. |
2i – Communication |
at Radio Electronics |
eMMC |
Embedded Multi-Media Card |
eMMC describes an architecture comprised of an embedded storage solution with MMC interface, flash memory and controller, all in a small ball grid array (BGA) package.
•ADAM ships with 8GB of eMMC flash memory storage. |
2c – Memory and Storage |
on Wikipedia |
FAQ |
Frequently Asked Questions |
An FAQ is a list/compilation of commonly asked questions and their answers, maintained to help people when doubts or questions arise.
• This very 'Notion Ink – Frequently Asked Questions Wiki' is a jolly good example of combining the ideas of a collaboratively maintained FAQ implemented as a Wiki. |
7 – NI FAQ ADMINISTRATION |
on Wikipedia |
FLASH |
Flash Memory |
Flash memory is a non-volatile computer storage chip that can be electrically erased and reprogrammed. | 2c – Memory and Storage |
on Wikipedia |
FM |
Frequency Modulation |
Frequency Modulation conveys information over a carrier wave by varying its instantaneous frequency.
• The ADAM has a FM radio built into it. (Still waiting confirmation as to whether it is just a FM receiver or if it can also broadcast FM signals to other FM radios.) |
2h – Sensors |
on Wikipedia |
Genesis |
Genesis App Store |
In the scripture of the Abrahamic religions, the Book of Genesis contains the ex nihilo creation myth, and other stories.
• ADAM-specific apps will be available through Notion Ink's own online applications store, called Genesis. Apps from Genesis are written with ADAM's Eden user interface in mind, and know how to make best use of its Panels, as well as having well designed full screen modes (at least in theory). |
on 3a – All about Eden and Android | at Notion Ink |
GPS |
Global Positioning System |
The Global Positioning System is a space-based global navigation satellite system that provides atomic time information in all weather and at all times, anywhere on or near the Earth when and where there is an unobstructed line of sight to three or more GPS satellites. A 4th satellite will provide altitude information. Location information is accurate to a circular error of probability of 30 meters. The US Department of Defence can alter this error at their will. GPS Details
|
on Wikipedia |
|
GPU |
Graphics Processing Unit |
A Graphics Processing Unit is a specialised microprocessor that offloads and accelerates graphics rendering from a computer's central processing unit.
• ADAM's Tegra 250 system-on-a-chip contains an ultra low power GPU (left – click to enlarge). |
at Wikipedia |
|
GSM |
Global System for Mobile Communications |
GSM is a pure digital wireless cellular based communications system, and is the world's most popular standard for mobile telephony systems. GSM differs from its predecessor technologies in that both signaling and speech channels are digital, and thus GSM is considered a second generation (2G) mobile phone system. Release '99 introduced higher speed data transmission using Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE).
• ADAM supports EDGE communication. |
2i - Communications |
at Wikipedia |
IMAP |
Internet Message Access Protocol |
The Internet Message Access Protocol is one of the two most prevalent Internet standard protocols for email retrieval, the other being the Post Office Protocol (POP). Virtually all modern email clients and mail servers support both protocols as a means of transferring email messages from a server (see diagram, left – click to enlarge). • ADAM’s email app Mail’d supports SMTP, POP, and IMAP. |
3c1 – Mail'd | IMAP
at Wikipedia |
IPS |
In Plane Switching |
In Plane Switching is a method used to improve the viewing angles and colours of LCD panels.
• IPS display technology is an alternative to the LCD and Pixel Qi screens available on ADAM.
|
2e – Display |
on Wikipedia at TFT Central |
Kubuntu |
Kubuntu operating system
|
Kubuntu operating system is the KDE version of the Ubuntu Linux operating system.
• Notion Ink initially announced the capability of running Android, ChromeOS and Ubuntu on ADAM; but as of December 2010, there is only an Android version available, with the custom Eden user interface built on top. |
Which OS-es does ADAM support? on 3a – All about Eden and Android 1f – OS Alternatives |
on Wikipedia official website |
LCD |
Liquid Crystal Display |
A Liquid Crystal Display uses the light polarization properties of liquid crystals in an electric field to form images on a screen. LCDs use various construction variations to maximize the visual appearance of data. Some versions use Twisted Nematic Displays (TND), Thin Film Transistors (TFT), and colour filters.
• One of ADAM's two screen variants uses a 10.1 inch, 16:9 format, colour TFT-LCD panel (while the other uses a 10.1 inch, 16:9 format, colour Pixel Qi transflective sunlight readable display). |
2e – Display |
on Wikipedia |
Leaf |
The Leaves of Eden |
• In ADAM's Eden user interface, a Leaf is synonymous with a Panel – see Panels for more info. | 3b – The Panels of Eden |
Week-End Special Part IV – The Eden! on Rohan's NI Blog |
Mail'd |
Mail'd email app |
• Mail'd is the ADAM app for managing email accounts. | 3c1 – Mail'd | Introducing Eden – II
on Rohan's NI Blog, including video |
microSD |
Micro Secure Digital memory card |
microSD is the smallest memory card available commercially; at 15 × 11 × 1 mm (about the size of a fingernail), it is less than one eight (1/8) the size of a standard-sized SD card. microSD cards are currently available in capacities from 64 MB to 2 GB.
• ADAM has a microSD slot on the bottom edge when held in landscape mode. |
2c – Memory and Storage |
on Wikipedia at SD Association |
microSDHC |
Micro Secure Digital High Capacity memory card |
microSDHC (Secure Digital High Capacity, SD 2.0) is an extension of the SD standard which increases card's storage capacity up to 32 GB.
• ADAM can use microSDHC memory cards. |
2c – Memory and Storage |
on Wikipedia at SD Association |
MMI |
Man Machine Interface
|
The user interface includes hardware (physical) and software (logical) components. User interfaces exist for various systems, and provide a means of:
|
on Rohan's NI Blog |
|
Multi-touch |
Multi-touch touchscreen |
On touchscreen displays, multi-touch refers to the ability to simultaneously register three or more distinct positions of input touches. A multi-touch touchscreen enables a user interface to support multi-touch gestures, such as pinch-to-zoom and multi-finger swipes. • ADAM’s display is a multi-touch touchscreen. Its Eden user interface, and the underlying Android operating system, both support multi-touch gestures. |
2e – Display | Multi-touch
on Wikipedia on Wikipedia |
Glossary Terms: |
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1g2 – Glossary N-Z » |