Tablet Computer Definitions Explained Part 2

10/16/2011 Comments Off on Tablet Computer Definitions Explained Part 2 Tablets & Technology Like

When it comes to touch screen tablets you’re likely amazed at what these devices can do, but when it comes to explaining how they work and the plethora of new terms and definitions associated with them you’re probably left asking yourself, what does it all mean? Well fear not because we aim to educate and entertain while keeping you in the loop regarding what makes tablets tick! How do we do it? Well that’s one of life’s mysteries we can’t explain, on the other hand, what we can explain are the following tablet computer definitions.

Before we get started, please let us just say this. Over the past few decades computers have evolved and come a very long way. How the pattern tends to go is the more that computers evolve the quicker they evolve and that of course includes tablet PCs. This is good in many ways but keeping up with so many rapid changes occurring with technology can sometimes be overwhelming. This is why we like to keep things fun, simple, informative and bring things back to basics. What good is knowledge if you can’t share it with others?

On that note, let’s go for a swim and dive into the large pool of tablet PC definitions. After all, that’s likely what you’re here for in the first place!

What Does IMEI Mean?

IMEI is an acronym for International Mobile Equipment Identity. It is a unique number assigned to each individual tablet or mobile phone device. It’s typically used for validation purposes in case your tablet PC gets lost or stolen for whatever reason. IMEI enables your tablet PC to be tracked, even if the device is turned off, and helps prevent unlawful usage and theft of your device.

What Does IMSI Mean?

Like peanut butter and jelly, IMSI works hand in hand with IMEI. It’s an acronym for International Mobile Subscriber Identity. IMEI helps identify the device, whereas IMSI identifies the actual subscriber. It controls what networks are accessible and also identifies the location of the tablet. Your IMSI number is stored on your SIM card using a 64 bit field and typically 15 digits in length. In short, IMSI is used on any and all interconnected networks.

The IMSI sends transmissions from a mobile device to a particular network. To prevent eavesdropping signals are rarely sent, but in case of emergencies or theft of your device they can prove to be quite useful. In the majority of cases and for common every day usage a randomly generated signal is sent instead.

What Does Inductive Charging Mean?

Inductive charging is also known as wireless or magnetic charging of a mobile device’s battery. It’s a method of wirelessly transmitting energy between electric transformers (usually your tablet PC or mobile phone) and coils. In other words you can “cut the wire” so to say and still keep your tablet PC fully charged.

Since 2008 more than 60 firms have joined forces to establish a worldwide wireless power charging standard. This new universal standard is called Qi and it’s backed by several independent companies. It’s known as the Wireless Power Consortium, aka WPC. Qi, pronounced as Chi, is a Chinese term which means “life force” when translated to English. Sounds highly suitable to me.

What Does A-GPS Mean?

A-GPS, also known as assisted global positioning system, comes equipped in tablets and can assist emergency dispatchers by providing the location of a device. Unlike regular GPS a device with A-GPS has the ability to transmit signals to and from satellites much better even in areas where signals are not typically good. In some cases A-GPS is also more efficient since it uses less CPU resources.

What Does HDMI Mean?

HDMI is short for High-Definition Multimedia Interface which is a more advanced way of transmitting digital data which is uncompressed for both audio and video formats. HDMI technology is still fairly new having only been around since 2002. Of course it’s even newer for tablet PC devices but is on it’s way to becoming quite standard. What makes HDMI so significant is it’s high quality, or shall I say high definition standards.

Now through a single HDMI cable we have the ability to transmit up to 8 channels of digital audio as well as enhanced 3D video. Such cables can be used for either TVs and also computers such as touch screen tablets, or slates. It’s typically more expensive but the high definition quality of HDMI is nearly second to none. To date more than 850 PC and consumer electronic manufacturing companies have made the switch to HDMI and for good reason.

HDMI transmits data much quicker than older digital and analog solutions and supports much higher resolution devices including but not limited to tablets, HDTV camcorders and digital cameras. It supports 1080p HD video and resolutions of up to 4096×2160p24 with a single 24bit link.

What Does Predictive Text Input Mean?

You may have heard the term Predictive Text Input when the topic of tablet computers or the apps developed for them comes up. This technology is essentially used to make mobile tablet PCs more efficient for the people who use them. With predictive text software a user can have an entire word typed with a single key press, or tap on the touch screen. Instead of sequencing through the same groups of letters repeatedly it predicts what it is you are attempting to type based on history and/or the phrase you are entering at any given time.

Such software is known to learn or adapt to the way you write. This is especially useful when texting, writing letters or emailing, and even filling in your address book or contacts list.

What Does DLNA Mean?

Digital Living Network Alliance, aka DLNA, is a term created and branded by Sony. You may have seen the term when reading or hearing about their Sony S and Sony P line of tablets. Essentially, DLNA is an organization founded by Sony which now has more than 250 member companies worldwide that provide standards-based technology for sharing and consuming media.

With the Sony S tablet for example such technology is used to sync your tablet with your home theater or digital TV system so you can control operations of such equipment directly from your portable tablet PC. In other words with DLNA compatible devices your tablet can act as a remote for added convenience.

What Does Wi-Fi Hotspot Mean?

Have you ever wondered why that cross-dresser spends so much time, hours upon hours, at your local coffee shop? Well before you get too creeped out or jump to conclusions, not that there’s anything wrong with cross-dressers of course, consider the fact that they might simply be there to take advantage of the Wi-fi Internet connection or hotspot that the cafe provides to its customers.

Basically, a Wi-fi hotspot is a place where users can share Internet access which is provided by a router over a WAN or wireless area network. You tablet computer or mobile smartphone can also double and act as a hotspot, if they are equipped to do so, and provide online access to other devices nearby.

What Does Capacitive Touchscreen Mean?

When it comes to mobile devices such as tablets there are 2 kinds of touchscreen displays, capacitive and resistive. Relying on the electrical properties of the human body, primarily through the touch of our fingers, capacitive screens can detect when a person touches such a display and where exactly they are touching.

A capacitive touch screen consists of a transparent metallic conductive coating. There is a printed electrode pattern above the conductive layer which distributes a low voltage field. These sensors are extremely sensitive meaning you barely have to touch the screen in order for it to detect any point or points of contact.

Tablet computers use multi-touch capacitive screens which can simultaneously detect multiple touch points at any given time which makes them quite interactive devices, which is part of the reason they have become such great tools for learning.

What Does Resistive Touchscreen Mean?

Resistive touchscreens are designed using two thin sheets which are separated by air gaps or microdots and use pressure in order to register the location of contact. Both layers are coated with a resistive material known as ITO (Indium Tin Oxide). Once the two sheets are pressed together the table senses or registers a touch in that location.

Typically, resistive touchscreens are used with a style however your finger or any pen like object will also work just fine most of the time.

Resistive touchscreens are much cheaper to make than capacitive touchscreens why is why the are commonly found in lower end tablet PCs.

What Does PPI Mean?

Pixels per inch or PPI refers to the pixel density or resolution of a screen display. The higher the PPI is on a mobile tablet device the better the quality of text and graphics will be.
When it comes to tablet computers PPI aka dots per inch is measured based on the amount of pixels per inch in relation to the display size. The total number of pixels in both vertical and horizontal directions will determine overall PPI.

What Is Retina Display?

Retina Display boils down to pixel density, also known as resolution. Studies show that the human eye is capable of clearly viewing roughly 300 pixels per inch. Basically, higher resolution results in higher quality, more realistic and smoother looking text and images on a display screen.

Even today’s best touch screen tablets on the market with the most advanced displays fall under the 200 pixels per inch (PPI) range. The 7″ Galaxy Tab for example has a resolution of 600×1024 and 171 PPI. The Galaxy Tab 10.1 has 149 PPI with a resolution of 800×1280.

The 3.5″ Apple iPhone 4 has 640×960 resolution and 326 PPI. Getting such screen technology to work on smartphones is one thing however and matching that resolution on a larger capacitive touch screen tablet is a whole new challenge. Thus the reason for the delay of a retina display tablet.