Consumer Technology
Definitions about consumer technology including Internet acronyms, tech lingo, multimedia definitions, words about personal computing and peripherals as well as terms used in wireless and mobile computing.
Desktops and laptops
Terms related to PCs, including definitions about desktop computers and words and phrases about computer components.
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principle of least privilege (POLP)
The principle of least privilege (POLP), an important concept in computer security, is the practice of limiting access rights for users to the bare minimum permissions they need to perform their work.
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channel partner
A channel partner is a person or organization that provides services or sells products on behalf of a software, hardware, networking or cloud services vendor. Value-added resellers (VARs), systems integrators (SIs), consultants, managed service providers (MSPs), original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), distributors and independent software vendors (ISVs) may all be called channel partners.
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phase-change memory (PCM)
Phase-change memory (PCM) is a form of computer RAM (random-access memory) that stores data by altering the state of the matter from which the device is fabricated.
End user hardware
Terms related to peripheral devices including definitions about keyboards or mice and words and phrases about printers, monitors, digital cameras and scanners.
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secondary storage
Secondary storage is storage for noncritical data that does not need to be frequently accessed.
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storage at the edge
Storage at the edge is the collective methods and technologies that capture and retain digital information at the periphery of the network, as close to the originating source as possible.
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optical disc
An optical disc is an electronic data storage medium that can be written to and read from using a low-powered laser beam.
Internet acronyms and lingo
Terms related to Internet acronyms and lingo, including slang definitions and jargon about texting, Twitter and other social networking sites.
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LARP (Live Action Role Playing)
LARP (Live Action Role Playing), also called LARPing, is a character-driven type of gameplay that is conducted in the physical world.
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hacktivism
Hacktivism is the act of hacking, or breaking into a computer system, for a politically or socially motivated purpose.
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simultaneous localization and mapping
Simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) is the synchronous location awareness and recording of the environment in a map of a computer, device, robot, drone or other autonomous vehicle.
Internet technologies
This WhatIs.com glossary contains terms related to Internet technologies, including definitions about port numbers, standards and protocols and words and phrases about how the Internet works.
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Express Wi-Fi
Express Wi-Fi by Facebook is the social media company's effort to bring wireless internet via public Wi-Fi hot spots to areas of the world without available or reliable connections to the internet.
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social media recruiting (social media recruitment)
Social media recruiting is an HR strategy to better attract active and passive job candidates.
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e-business (electronic business)
E-business (electronic business) is the conduct of business processes on the internet.
Multimedia and graphics
Terms related to multimedia, including graphics, animation and video definitions and words and phrases about images and sound.
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full HDTV (ultra-HD, true HDTV, 1080p)
Full HDTV, also referred to as ultra-HD, true HDTV, and 1080p, is a television (TV) display technology specification that surpasses the quality over the original 720p high-definition television (HDTV) technology specification, providing an image resolution of 1920 by 1080 pixels.
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video wall
A video wall is a large display consisting of more than one video screen fixed together to form a single logical screen.
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Apple CarPlay
Apple CarPlay is an automotive software interface that integrates an end user's iPhone’s operating system (OS) with a car's infotainment display.
Personal computing
Terms related to personal computers, including definitions about computers sold as consumer products and words and phrases about laptops, tablets and smartphones.
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full HDTV (ultra-HD, true HDTV, 1080p)
Full HDTV, also referred to as ultra-HD, true HDTV, and 1080p, is a television (TV) display technology specification that surpasses the quality over the original 720p high-definition television (HDTV) technology specification, providing an image resolution of 1920 by 1080 pixels.
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desktop computer
A desktop computer is a personal computing device designed to fit on top of a typical office desk.
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Windows 7
Windows 7 is the Microsoft Windows operating system (OS) released commercially in October 2009 as the successor to Windows Vista.
Printers
Terms related to printers, including definitions about scanners and words and phrases about inkjet, laser, photo and all-in-one printers.
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rafts, skirts and brims
Rafts, skirts and brims are structures created at the base of the bottom of a 3D print. These structures are temporary and used to improve print reliability and quality.
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print bed
A print bed is the surface on a 3D printer where a print head lays down the materials that make up a 3D print.
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heat bed
A heat bed is an additional module for a 3D printer that makes the cooling process of 3D printed materials more controlled, for better results.
Wireless and mobile
Terms related to wireless and mobile technology, including definitions about consumer mobile technology devices and communication technologies such as Wi-Fi, WiMAX and LTE.
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GSM (Global System for Mobile communication)
GSM (Global System for Mobile communication) is a digital mobile network that is widely used by mobile phone users in Europe and other parts of the world.
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SIM swap attack (SIM intercept attack)
A SIM Swap Attack, also known as a SIM Intercept Attack, is a form of identity theft in which an attacker convinces a cell phone carrier into switching a victim’s phone number to a new device in order to gain access to bank accounts, credit card numbers, and other sensitive information.
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OTA update (over-the-air update)
An over-the-air update is the wireless delivery of new software or data to mobile devices.