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.
Desktop PCs
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.
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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Net Neutrality
Net neutrality is the principle that data packets on the Internet should be moved impartially, without regard to content, destination or source.
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honeypot (honey pot)
A honeypot is a computer system that is set up to act as a decoy to lure cyberattacks and to detect, deflect, or study attempts to gain unauthorized access to information systems.
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multi-channel network (MCN)
A multi-channel network (MCN) is a company or entity that works with multiple channels and content creators, consulting or assisting towards success on streaming video platforms such as YouTube.
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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payment gateway
A payment gateway is a service that authorizes a user’s transfer of funds between financial institutions to sellers without direct delivery of either bank or credit card account information.
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IDoc (intermediate document)
IDoc (intermediate document) is a standard data structure used in SAP applications to transfer data to and from SAP system applications and external systems.
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network service provider (NSP)
A network service provider (NSP) is a company that owns, operates and sells access to internet backbone infrastructure and services.
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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brain hijacking
Brain hijacking is the application of principles from fields including neuroscience, behavioral psychology and sociology to develop compulsive elements for consumer technologies.
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VR locomotion (virtual reality locomotion)
VR locomotion is technology that enables movement from one place to another (locomotion) within a virtual reality environment. Locomotion through a virtual environment is enabled by a variety of methods including head bobbing and arm swinging, as well as other natural movements that translate to in-game movements.
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omnidirectional treadmill (ODT)
An omnidirectional treadmill (ODT) is a mechanical or electronic machine that allows the user to travel in any direction.
Peripherals
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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data storage
Data storage is the collective methods and technologies that capture and retain digital information on electromagnetic, optical or silicon-based storage media.
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direct-attached storage (DAS)
Direct-attached storage (DAS) is computer storage that is connected to one computer and not accessible to other computers.
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storage medium (storage media)
In computers, a storage medium is any technology -- including devices and materials -- used to place, keep and retrieve electronic data.
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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pervasive gaming
Pervasive gaming is a type of gaming where playing is not contained within one particular platform or device.
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brain hijacking
Brain hijacking is the application of principles from fields including neuroscience, behavioral psychology and sociology to develop compulsive elements for consumer technologies.
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omnidirectional treadmill (ODT)
An omnidirectional treadmill (ODT) is a mechanical or electronic machine that allows the user to travel in any direction.
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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smartphone
A smartphone is a cellular telephone with an integrated computer and other features not originally associated with telephones, such as an operating system, web browsing and the ability to run software applications.
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machine-to-machine (M2M)
Machine-to-machine, or M2M, is a broad label that can be used to describe any technology that enables networked devices to exchange information and perform actions without the manual assistance of humans.
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SIP trunking (Session Initiation Protocol trunking)
Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) trunking is a service offered by a communications service provider that uses the protocol to provision voice over IP (VoIP) connectivity between an on-premises phone system and the public switched telephone network (PSTN).