Written By Akki
On Thursday, October 15, 2009
Chapter 3 : Know the name
Technical Terms and Jargon
ROM
- IPL: Initial program load - usually paired with Secondary Program Load (SPL), is the boot loader of your phone, much like the BIOS is the boot loader for your PC. Note: IPL/SPL are highly hardware dependent, flashing the wrong IPL/SPL is much more serious than a flashing the wrong ROM. It may be noted that, sometimes a ROM package also contains the IPL/SPL which will be flashed into your phone. Hence be extra careful what you are flashing. Note: although a ROM may also contains the IPL/SPL, `ROM` usually refers just to the OS (eg. the Windows Mobile 5, not the IPL/SPL) and the ExtRom.
- SPL: Refer to `IPL`
- ROM: Read Only Memory - commonly used in the form of `ROM upgrade`. The ROM is the firmware/software, which controls everything on your phone. ROM itself usually comes in a package, with IPL/SPL, OS, Radio, and ExtRom. However, in most cases, `upgrading a ROM` usually means just the OS and the ExtRom, as these are the obvious/visible part of an ROM upgrade.
- OS: Operating System - the platform software for your phone, much like the Windows Xp for your PC. Upgrading the OS is like, in PC terms upgrading from Windows 95 to Windows XP.
- ExtROM: Extended ROM - is the section of the ROM which the distributor of the phone (eg O2, T-Mobile, iMate, etc) store their customization (eg Today theme, ring tones, extra software) data. In WM5, the customization data will be automatically installed after the initial configuration (after every hardreset), just after the security section. In most cases, ExtROM can be unlocked to allow users to store/build their own customizations that will be automatically installed upon every hardreset.
- CID: Carrier Id - commonly used in the form `CID-Unlocking`. If you purchase your phone (example) from Qtek (Qtek is the 'carrier'), your phone will only accept Qtek ROMs (the carrier's ROMs). If you want to flash ROMs from other carrier, you'll need to CID-unlock your phone, so that your phone will accept other ROMs. Note: In general, the phrase 'unlock your phone' usually refers to SIM-unlock, not CID unlock.
- Radio: Also referred as GSM (see below) - commonly used in the form `upgrading the Radio/GSM` - in the field of ROM upgrading. The `Radio` is essentially a ROM that controls the phone function part (as oppose to PDA function part) of your phone. Upgrading this `Radio` software may have effect on your phone reception quality, battery life (optimized phone function), signal strength, etc.
- GSM: A system of mobile radio communications. Most common 2G standard. Often used on xda-developers somewhat confusingly to refer to the radio protocol stack or `Radio` in XDA devices. This is slightly misleading as 3G HTC phones use a W-CDMA stack for the 3G communications, and GSM for 2G.
- Protocol: Similar to `Radio`. Both terms refer to the radio protocol stack, which is the software which handles communications with the mobile network.
- SIM: Subscriber Identity Module - commonly used in the form `SIM unlock`. Some phones are locked to the specific telco from which you purchase your phone, eg you can't use a locked O2 phone using a Vodaphone SIM/smart card. To use SIM card from other telco, you need to SIM unlock your phone. Note: In general, the phrase 'unlock your phone' usually refers to SIM-unlock, not CID unlock.
- AKU: Adaptation Kit Update - Starting with Windows Mobile 5 Microsoft began a policy of updates similar to that of the desktop windows. Rather the replacing the whole OS some functionality may be added. For example AKU 2.0 introduced push mail. These updates are distributed through the OEMs and are given to the consumer in form of ROM updates. Note that OEM may choose not to create an update with the latest AKU for their devices. Getting an AKU for your phone is like getting the SP2 (Service Pack 2) for your Windows Xp.
Windows Mobile 5 (WM5)
- Storage memory: The persistent memory part of WM5, where all the files and documents are kept, much like the hard disk of your PC. Data in the storage memory is unaffected by soft-reset or a flat battery. You can't adjust the ratio of Storage memory and Program memory in WM5 like WinCE2003.
- Program memory: The non-persistent memory part of WM5, which is used for all the temporary memory requirements, much like the RAM of your PC. A soft-reset or flat battery will erase everything from the program memory. You can't adjust the ratio of Storage memory and Program memory in WM5 like WinCE2003.
Unlocking
- SIM Unlock: Use any carrier's SIM in the device.
- CID Unlock: Load any carrier ROM (in any language) on the device.
- Application Unlock: Most WM5 phones only allow you to load applications that have an acceptable digital signature. If you try to edit the registry or load an application it will give you an error. Application Unlocking removes this barrier and allows you to install any application or edit the registry to your liking.
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