Cell Phone Glossary

AAC is a file format for music and other audio content. A newer alternative to MP3, AAC (advanced audio coding) is designed to deliver better sound quality with smaller files that take up less memory.

Bluetooth is a wireless technology that allows devices to connect to each other within a short distance with no wires. Bluetooth headsets allow you to talk on your phone hands free, while you leave your phone in your pocket or in your purse.

Flip phones (also known as clamshell phones) typically separate the screen and keys on opposite halves that open and close on a hinge. In addition to saving space (since the phone folds), a flip phone tends to reduce the risk of accidental dialing since the keys are covered when in your pocket or purse.

Data Coverage refers to the areas where your Cricket phone will have access to the data features included in your rate plan (i.e., Mobile Web).

Hearing Aid Compatible. HAC ratings have been developed by the wireless industry to help people who are hearing impaired to find a cell phone that is compatible with their particular hearing device.

Light-Emitting Diode. LED technology is used to light up a phone's keyboard so you can dial in the dark. On some phones, LEDs can even provide flashlight functionality.

The resolution of a digital camera such as that found in a camera phone. The higher the megapixel number, the more detail the camera can capture, usually resulting in better picture quality.

Musical Instrument Digital Interface. A file format sometimes used for custom ringtones.

A technology that simplifies typing text messages and emails by suggesting the word that you're intending to type, before you've even finished typing. Predictive text works by comparing all of the possible letter combinations from your entry against a built-in dictionary. If it guesses is incorrectly, you can usually scroll through other possible words without re-typing the word.

Quarter-VGA. A resolution (size) of 320 x 240 pixels. QVGA is a common resolution for phone displays, and also for video captured by phones.

Like-new phones that have been inspected, rigorously tested, cleaned and restored to full working condition.

Slider phones save space by hiding the keyboard behind the screen, and the keyboard can slide out whenever you need it. Slider phones provide plenty of room for a large screen and a full QWERTY keyboard or large keys all in one sleek device.

Standby time is the maximum amunt of time a fully charged wireless phone can be left on before the phone's battery runs out and needs to be recharged. Standby time is different from Talk Time, which which is always lower since talking uses up more battery power.

Talk time is the maximum amount of time a fully-charged wireless phone can be used for talking before the phone's battery runs out and need to be recharged. Also see Standby Time.

Touch screen phones is one of the latest technologies in wireless, allowing you to dial, text, surf the web, and more simply by touching the tip of your fingers on the actual screen.

Telephone Typewriter or Telecommunications Device for the Deaf. A TTY/TTD-capable phone allows people who are hearing- or speech-impaired to use a cell phone to communicate by allowing them to type text messages.

Voice-activated dialing lets the caller speak a name or number into the phone to make a call instead of dialing a number manually or choosing it from the address book.

Wide Quarter-VGA