# tecMAMBO Glossary

> Plain-English technology definitions designed for readers, search, and answer engines.

- [1080p](https://tecmambo.com/glossary/1080p) - 1080p is a common Full HD video resolution that is still sharp enough for many screens.
- [4G LTE](https://tecmambo.com/glossary/4g-lte) - 4G LTE is the mobile network generation that made fast everyday smartphone internet normal.
- [4K](https://tecmambo.com/glossary/4k) - 4K is a video resolution with roughly four times as many pixels as 1080p.
- [5G](https://tecmambo.com/glossary/5g) - 5G is a newer mobile network generation that can offer faster speeds and lower delay where coverage is strong.
- [Adaptive refresh rate](https://tecmambo.com/glossary/adaptive-refresh-rate) - Adaptive refresh rate lets a display slow down or speed up depending on what is on screen.
- [AI agent](https://tecmambo.com/glossary/ai-agent) - An AI agent is software that can plan steps, use tools, and complete a bounded task with your permission.
- [AI hallucination](https://tecmambo.com/glossary/hallucination-ai) - An AI hallucination is when a model gives an answer that sounds confident but is wrong or unsupported.
- [AI token](https://tecmambo.com/glossary/token-ai) - An AI token is a small chunk of text an AI model reads or writes while processing a prompt.
- [Always-on display](https://tecmambo.com/glossary/always-on-display) - An always-on display shows basic information while the screen is mostly asleep.
- [AMOLED](https://tecmambo.com/glossary/amoled) - AMOLED is an OLED display type often used in phones for rich contrast and efficient dark pixels.
- [ANC](https://tecmambo.com/glossary/anc) - ANC uses microphones and processing to reduce steady background noise in headphones or earbuds.
- [Aperture](https://tecmambo.com/glossary/aperture) - Aperture is the camera lens opening that affects how much light reaches the sensor.
- [API](https://tecmambo.com/glossary/api) - An API is a structured way for software systems to talk to each other.
- [APK](https://tecmambo.com/glossary/apk) - An APK is the installable app package file used by Android.
- [APN](https://tecmambo.com/glossary/apn) - An APN is the carrier setting that tells your phone how to connect to mobile internet.
- [Audio latency](https://tecmambo.com/glossary/latency-audio) - Audio latency is the delay between an action and the sound you hear.
- [Bandwidth](https://tecmambo.com/glossary/bandwidth) - Bandwidth is how much data a connection can move at once.
- [Battery life](https://tecmambo.com/glossary/battery-life) - Battery life is how long a device lasts between charges in real use.
- [Bitrate](https://tecmambo.com/glossary/bitrate) - Bitrate is how much data a video or audio stream uses each second.
- [Bloatware](https://tecmambo.com/glossary/bloatware) - Bloatware is unwanted preinstalled software that can take up space or push extra services.
- [Bluetooth codec](https://tecmambo.com/glossary/bluetooth-codec) - A Bluetooth codec is the format your phone and earbuds use to send wireless audio.
- [Bootloader](https://tecmambo.com/glossary/bootloader) - A bootloader is the startup program that helps your device load its operating system.
- [Cache](https://tecmambo.com/glossary/cache) - Cache is saved temporary data that helps apps and websites load faster next time.
- [Chipset](https://tecmambo.com/glossary/chipset) - A chipset is the main package of processors that runs your phone or computer.
- [Codec](https://tecmambo.com/glossary/codec) - A codec compresses and decompresses audio or video so it can be stored or streamed efficiently.
- [Cookies](https://tecmambo.com/glossary/cookies) - Cookies are small browser files sites use to remember you, save settings, or track activity.
- [Cross-play](https://tecmambo.com/glossary/cross-play) - Cross-play lets people on different gaming platforms play together online.
- [Data bundle](https://tecmambo.com/glossary/data-bundle) - A data bundle is a prepaid or plan-based amount of mobile internet you can use.
- [Dual SIM](https://tecmambo.com/glossary/dual-sim) - Dual SIM means a phone can use two mobile lines on the same device.
- [Durability](https://tecmambo.com/glossary/durability) - Durability describes how well a device survives drops, dust, water, bending, and daily wear.
- [EIS](https://tecmambo.com/glossary/eis) - EIS uses software to smooth shaky video or photos after the camera captures them.
- [eMMC](https://tecmambo.com/glossary/emmc) - eMMC is older, slower storage often found in budget phones and low-cost tablets.
- [End-to-end encryption](https://tecmambo.com/glossary/end-to-end-encryption) - End-to-end encryption keeps a message readable only to the sender and intended recipient.
- [eSIM](https://tecmambo.com/glossary/esim) - An eSIM is a digital SIM built into your phone, so you can activate a mobile plan without inserting a card.
- [Fast charging](https://tecmambo.com/glossary/fast-charging) - Fast charging uses higher power to refill a battery more quickly than a basic charger.
- [Firmware](https://tecmambo.com/glossary/firmware) - Firmware is low-level software that helps hardware know how to behave.
- [Foldable hinge](https://tecmambo.com/glossary/foldable-hinge) - A foldable hinge is the mechanical part that lets a folding phone open and close smoothly.
- [Frame rate](https://tecmambo.com/glossary/frame-rate) - Frame rate is how many images a game or video shows each second.
- [Gorilla Glass](https://tecmambo.com/glossary/gorilla-glass) - Gorilla Glass is a toughened display glass brand used to reduce scratches and cracks.
- [GPU](https://tecmambo.com/glossary/gpu) - A GPU is the processor that handles graphics, games, animations, and some AI tasks.
- [Haptics](https://tecmambo.com/glossary/haptics) - Haptics are the tiny vibrations that make taps, typing, and alerts feel physical.
- [HDMI](https://tecmambo.com/glossary/hdmi) - HDMI is a cable standard for sending video and audio to TVs, monitors, and projectors.
- [HDR](https://tecmambo.com/glossary/hdr) - HDR helps video and photos show brighter highlights, deeper shadows, and richer contrast.
- [IMEI](https://tecmambo.com/glossary/imei) - An IMEI is a unique identity number for a mobile device.
- [IP rating](https://tecmambo.com/glossary/ip-rating) - An IP rating tells you how well a device resists dust and water.
- [Latency](https://tecmambo.com/glossary/latency) - Latency is the delay before data starts moving between your device and a server.
- [LCD](https://tecmambo.com/glossary/lcd) - LCD is a screen type that uses a backlight behind liquid crystals to show images.
- [LLM](https://tecmambo.com/glossary/llm) - An LLM is an AI model trained to understand and generate text, code, and other language-like patterns.
- [LTPO](https://tecmambo.com/glossary/ltpo) - LTPO is display tech that helps phones change refresh rate efficiently to save battery.
- [mAh](https://tecmambo.com/glossary/mah) - mAh is a battery capacity rating that hints at how much charge a device can store.
- [Malware](https://tecmambo.com/glossary/malware) - Malware is software designed to harm, spy on, or take control of a device.
- [Megapixel](https://tecmambo.com/glossary/megapixel) - A megapixel is one million pixels, but more megapixels do not automatically mean better photos.
- [Mobile money](https://tecmambo.com/glossary/mobile-money) - Mobile money lets people send, receive, store, and spend money through a phone service.
- [Nanometer](https://tecmambo.com/glossary/nanometer) - Nanometer labels in chips loosely describe the manufacturing generation, not a simple speed score.
- [NFC](https://tecmambo.com/glossary/nfc) - NFC is short-range wireless tech used for tap-to-pay, quick pairing, and some access cards.
- [Night mode](https://tecmambo.com/glossary/night-mode) - Night mode combines multiple camera frames to make low-light photos brighter and cleaner.
- [Nits](https://tecmambo.com/glossary/nits) - Nits measure screen brightness, especially how visible a display can be outdoors.
- [OIS](https://tecmambo.com/glossary/ois) - OIS physically steadies a camera lens or sensor to reduce blur from shaky hands.
- [OLED](https://tecmambo.com/glossary/oled) - OLED is a screen type where each pixel can light itself, which helps blacks look truly dark.
- [On-device AI](https://tecmambo.com/glossary/on-device-ai) - On-device AI runs AI features locally on your phone or computer instead of sending everything to the cloud.
- [Open source](https://tecmambo.com/glossary/open-source) - Open source software makes its code available for people to inspect, use, or improve under a license.
- [OTA update](https://tecmambo.com/glossary/ota-update) - An OTA update is software sent wirelessly to your device without plugging it into a computer.
- [Passkey](https://tecmambo.com/glossary/passkey) - A passkey lets you sign in with device security like fingerprint, face unlock, or screen lock instead of a password.
- [Phishing](https://tecmambo.com/glossary/phishing) - Phishing is a scam that tricks you into giving away passwords, money, or private information.
- [Physical SIM](https://tecmambo.com/glossary/physical-sim) - A physical SIM is the small removable card that identifies your phone number to a mobile network.
- [Ping](https://tecmambo.com/glossary/ping) - Ping is a simple latency test that measures how quickly a server responds.
- [Pixel binning](https://tecmambo.com/glossary/pixel-binning) - Pixel binning combines nearby camera pixels so a phone can capture cleaner photos in low light.
- [PPI](https://tecmambo.com/glossary/ppi) - PPI means pixels per inch, a rough measure of how sharp a screen looks up close.
- [RAM](https://tecmambo.com/glossary/ram) - RAM is short-term working memory that helps a device keep apps and tasks ready.
- [Ray tracing](https://tecmambo.com/glossary/ray-tracing) - Ray tracing is graphics tech that simulates light more realistically in games and 3D scenes.
- [Refresh rate](https://tecmambo.com/glossary/refresh-rate) - Refresh rate is how many times per second a screen updates what you see.
- [Refurbished](https://tecmambo.com/glossary/refurbished) - A refurbished device has been previously owned, checked, repaired if needed, and resold.
- [Resolution](https://tecmambo.com/glossary/resolution) - Resolution is the number of pixels used to make an image, video, or screen.
- [Roaming](https://tecmambo.com/glossary/roaming) - Roaming is when your phone connects through another network outside your usual carrier area.
- [Root](https://tecmambo.com/glossary/root) - Root access gives deeper control over Android, but it can weaken security and break some apps.
- [Sideloading](https://tecmambo.com/glossary/sideloading) - Sideloading means installing an app from outside the official app store.
- [Smartwatch](https://tecmambo.com/glossary/smartwatch) - A smartwatch is a wrist-worn computer for notifications, health tracking, apps, and quick controls.
- [Spatial audio](https://tecmambo.com/glossary/spatial-audio) - Spatial audio makes sound feel like it is coming from around you instead of only left and right.
- [Storage](https://tecmambo.com/glossary/storage) - Storage is the space where your apps, photos, videos, and files live on a device.
- [Tap-to-pay](https://tecmambo.com/glossary/tap-to-pay) - Tap-to-pay lets you pay by holding a phone, card, or watch near a payment terminal.
- [The cloud](https://tecmambo.com/glossary/the-cloud) - The cloud means your files or services live on internet-connected servers instead of only on your device.
- [Thermal throttling](https://tecmambo.com/glossary/thermal-throttling) - Thermal throttling is when a device slows itself down to avoid overheating.
- [Throttling](https://tecmambo.com/glossary/throttling) - Throttling is when a provider or device deliberately slows performance or connection speed.
- [Thunderbolt](https://tecmambo.com/glossary/thunderbolt) - Thunderbolt is a high-speed connection standard that can carry data, display, and power through USB-C-shaped ports.
- [Transparency mode](https://tecmambo.com/glossary/transparency-mode) - Transparency mode lets earbuds pipe outside sound in so you can hear people and traffic.
- [Two-factor authentication](https://tecmambo.com/glossary/two-factor-authentication) - Two-factor authentication adds a second proof of identity beyond your password.
- [UFS](https://tecmambo.com/glossary/ufs) - UFS is fast phone storage that helps apps open and files move more quickly.
- [Under-display camera](https://tecmambo.com/glossary/under-display-camera) - An under-display camera hides beneath screen pixels so a display can look uninterrupted.
- [USB-C](https://tecmambo.com/glossary/usb-c) - USB-C is the small reversible connector now common on phones, laptops, chargers, and accessories.
- [USB-C PD](https://tecmambo.com/glossary/usb-c-pd) - USB-C PD is a charging standard that lets devices and chargers agree on the right power level.
- [Video stabilization](https://tecmambo.com/glossary/video-stabilization) - Video stabilization reduces shake so footage looks smoother while you move.
- [VoLTE](https://tecmambo.com/glossary/volte) - VoLTE lets phone calls travel over a 4G network, often improving call quality and connection speed.
- [VPN](https://tecmambo.com/glossary/vpn) - A VPN creates an encrypted tunnel between your device and the internet service you connect through.
- [Warranty](https://tecmambo.com/glossary/warranty) - A warranty is a promise that a seller or maker will fix certain problems within a set period.
- [Wattage](https://tecmambo.com/glossary/wattage) - Wattage tells you how much power a charger can deliver at a given moment.
- [Wi-Fi 6](https://tecmambo.com/glossary/wi-fi-6) - Wi-Fi 6 is a newer Wi-Fi generation designed to handle faster speeds and crowded networks better.
- [Wi-Fi 7](https://tecmambo.com/glossary/wi-fi-7) - Wi-Fi 7 is the latest Wi-Fi generation, built for higher speeds and lower delay on supported devices.
- [Wireless charging](https://tecmambo.com/glossary/wireless-charging) - Wireless charging refills a device by placing it on a compatible charging pad.