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iPhone Basic Terminology
By | August 11, 2008
iPhone Basic Terminology
Activation - Is the process where an iPhone is linked to a service contract with AT&T. Until you activate the iPhone you can not use any of its features. The only thing that you can do is make an emergency call to 911.
anySIM - An unlocking program from the iPhone Dev Team. This allows any SIM to be used in an iPhone running 1.0.2 firmware. This is the GUI version of the iUnlock program also from the iPhone Dev Team. It is also functionally similar to the Unlock.app (that Harro distributed just days before).
Apptapp Installer - Has jailbreak functionality that aids in installing a program that allows you to access an online repository of 3rd party programs for the iPhone. This is for Mac and Windows. The program it installs is called Installer.
Bricked - This is the least understood term of all time when it comes to cell phone modding (and not just with the iPhone). Bricked denotes a phone that is dead, or completely unusable. It would only be good for parts. No one fixes a bricked phone! Ever! People use this term for any abnormality that renders a phone unsuable for a short period of time.
Bypass activation - This is a process whereby an iPhone is not linked to a service contract with AT&T. Using programs like iNdependence, wiNstaller, and PACAY allows for bypassing the procedure that has you sign up for this contract. You can then use any feature except for the phone.
EDGE - Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE) or Enhanced GPRS (EGPRS), is a digital mobile phone
technology that allows it to increase data transmission rate and improve data transmission reliability. Although technically a 3G network technology it is generally classified as the unofficial standard 2.75G, due to its slower network speed. EDGE has been introduced into GSM networks around the world since 2003, initially in North America. (Quoted from Wikipedia.)
GSM - Global System for Mobile communications is the most popular standard for mobile phones in the world. Its promoter, the GSM Association, estimates that 82% of the global mobile market uses the standard. GSM is used by over 2 billion people across more than 212 countries and territories. Its ubiquity makes international roaming very common between mobile phone operators, enabling subscribers to use their phones in many parts of the world. (Quoted from Wikipedia). Obivously the iPhone uses GSM technology. AT&T and T-Mobile are the larget providers for GSM cell phone service. Other popular carriers like AllTell, Sprint and Verizon use a competing and uncompatible technology called CDMA.
Hardware unlock - This method was devised by GeoHot. It requires opening the iPhone to gain access to a circuit board. With the help of command line programs, an electrial jumper connection is made and the iPhone is able to be unlocked. This method did not survive the 1.1.1 firmware update.
iBrickr - Allows for jailbreaking, and file management (including ringtones and programs). This is a Windowsprogram.
iNdependence - Is a program (currently deprecated to 1.0.2 firmware) that allows for jailbreak, bypassing activation,installation of SSH and simplifies changing of SSH passwords, managing ringtones and wallpapers. This is a Mac program.
iPhoneInterface - A deprecated command line program that allowed you to add or remove files or programs from the iPhone’s file system. You need to jailbreak before you can use this program, at least initially. This is a Mac andWindows program.
iUnlock - Is a command line version of anySIM released by the iPhone Dev Team. This is for unlocking iPhones with firmware 1.0.2
Jailbreak - This is a process that allows you to run unsigned code on the iPhone. The iPhone programming runs in a sandbox. Unless you can break out of this sandbox, you can only run the programs Apple has already installed on the iPhone. You are required to jailbreak your iPhone to run any 3rd party applications. Programs like Jailbreak(deprecated), iBrickr and AppTapp Installer and wiNstaller perform this for you. Jailbreak is a Mac and Windows program.
Locked - A locked iPhone is one that can only use a properly contracted AT&T SIM to make phone calls with. This isthe SIM the iPhone comes with out of the box.
SIM - A Subscriber Identity Module is a removable smart card for mobile cellular telephony devices such as mobile computers and mobile phones. SIM cards securely store the service-subscriber key (IMSI) used to identify a GSM subscriber. The SIM card allows users to change phones by simply removing the SIM card from one mobile phone and inserting it into another mobile phone or broadband telephony device.
Unlocked - An unlocked iPhone can use any SIM from any carrier in the world.
Wi-Fi - Unofficially known as Wireless Fidelity, is a wireless technology brand owned by the Wi-Fi Alliance
intended to improve the interoperability of wireless local area network products based on the IEEE 802.11 standards.
Common applications for Wi-Fi include Internet and VoIP phone access, gaming, and network connectivity for
consumer electronics such as televisions, DVD players, and digital cameras. (Quoted from Wikipedia.)
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