3G (THIRD-GENERATION) WIRELESS
3G is short for "third-generation wireless," which refers to specific developments in personal and business wireless technology, especially mobile communications. The 1G period began in the late 1970s and lasted through the 1980s. Those systems featured the first true mobile phone systems, which used analog voice signaling and were little more than sophisticated versions of the repeater networks used by amateur radio operators. The 2G phase began in the 1990s, and much of that technology is still in use. The 2G mobile phone features digital voice encoding. Examples include CDMA, TDMA and GSM. Since its inception, 2G technology has steadily improved, with increased bandwidth, packet routing and the introduction of multimedia. Most U.S. subscribers currently have a 2.5G mobile device, whereas most Asian subscribers have switched over to 3G technology. Ultimately, 3G is expected to include capabilities and features such as:
4G (FOURTH-GENERATION) WIRELESS
This stage will have increased transmission rates. It is expected to provide universal access and device portability by allowing different wireless networks to interoperate.
802.11
802.11 is an evolving family of specifications for wireless local area networks (WLANs) developed by a
working group of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). There are several
specifications in the family, and new ones are occasionally added. All the 802.11 specifications use the Ethernet protocol and Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Avoidance (CSMA/CA) for path sharing. The original modulation used in 802.11 was phase-shift keying (PSK). However, other schemes, such as complementary code keying (CCK), are used in some of the newer specifications. The newer modulation methods provide higher data speed and reduced vulnerability to interference.
ACTIVE TAG
An active tag is a type of RFID tag powered by an internal battery that enables the tag’s microchip
circuitry to transmit a signal to a tag reader. It is a larger, more expensive alternative to passive tags (tags powered by magnetic fields generated by the tag reader) that offers a greater range of communication and a higher data transmission rate. Active tags are currently being used for a variety of tasks, from tracking inventory to automatic automobile toll systems. Their combined use with certain wireless network connections, portable computation and tag readers makes possible new applications. (See RFID tag for more.)
ADDRESSABILITY
This is an interactive television (iTV) term that refers to the ability to create, address and deliver advertising, entertainment, and other content to people who have asked for it at a time of their choosing. True addressability will change marketing, advertising and selling dramatically. Addressable advertising is the iTV application that has the greatest promise for producing the most significant economic impact. Digital Video Recorder/Personal Video Recorder technology embedded in cable boxes is likely to accelerate addressability in iTV.
ADT (ADVANCED DIGITAL TELEVISION)
This is a catch-all name for digital television services such as on demand, enhanced television services, IPG and addressable advertising technologies.
ADVERTAINMENT
This is an entertaining way to serve up advertising on multiple platforms that expands on the 30-second commercial format. This video content often utilizes engaging visual techniques, shot by well-known directors, to connect with and entertain the user. The ads usually tell a story and could be compared to short films. BMW Films is a well-known example, as is Ogilvy’s recent Seinfeld and Superman initiative.
AGGREGATOR
An aggregator is an organization that acts as the middleman between mobile application and content providers and carriers.
AJAX (ASYNCHRONOUS JAVASCRIPT AND XML)
AJAX is a web development technique used for creating interactive web applications. The intent is to make web pages feel more responsive by exchanging small amounts of data with the server behind the scenes so that the entire web page does not have to be reloaded each time the user requests a change. This is intended to increase the web page's interactivity, speed, functionality and usability.
ALT TAG
The “alt tag,” or attribute, is used in HTML and XHTML documents to specify text that is to be rendered when the element to which it is applied cannot be rendered. In HTML 4.01, this attribute is required for the "img" and "area" element types. It is optional for the "input" element type and the deprecated "applet" element type.
Alternative text is especially useful for:
ATTENTIVE BILLBOARDS
These are billboards or display screens that use optical recognition techniques to scan people as they gaze at ads and news. The billboards can track where people are looking and extract information about their sex, age and race, and then adjust the information displayed. Attentive billboards can even look at a person’s facial expression and guess whether the person is happy or sad.
BANDWIDTH
This is the range of signal frequencies that can be carried on a communications channel. This indicates the channel’s information-carrying capacity and is commonly expressed in bits per second (bps) or mega (million) bits per second (Mbps).
BIOMETRIC IDENTIFICATION
This information technology identifies individuals for security purposes, using biological traits such as fingerprints, eye scans, face measurement and body chemistry. Some $1.5 billion was to be spent in 2004 for biometric identification applications, including law enforcement, banking and travel.
BITTORRENT
BitTorrent is a content distribution protocol that enables efficient software distribution and peer-to-peer sharing of very large files, such as entire movies and TV shows, by enabling user devices to serve as network redistribution points. Rather than having to send a download to each customer requesting it, the distributor or holder of content sends it to one customer, who in turn sends it to other customers, who together share the pieces of the download back and forth until everyone has the complete download. This makes it possible for the original server to serve many requests for large files without requiring immense amounts of bandwidth. According to reports, a user may expect to see a full-length movie arrive within a few hours.
BLOG
On the internet, a blog (short for “weblog”) is a personal journal that is frequently updated and intended for general public consumption. Blogs generally represent the personality of the author or reflect the purpose of the website that hosts the blog. Topics sometimes include brief philosophical musings, commentary on internet subjects and social issues, and links to other sites the author favors. The essential characteristics of the blog are its journal form—typically a new entry each day—and its informal style. The author of a blog is often referred to as a blogger. Many blogs syndicate their content to subscribers using RSS, a popular content distribution tool.
BLOGOSPHERE
“Blogosphere” is a collective term encompassing all blogs and their interconnections. It is the perception that blogs exist together as a connected community (or a collection of connected communities) or as a social network.
BLUECASTING
BlueCasting is a point-to-point transmission system that uses the world-standard Bluetooth networking platform. When users are within proximity of a BlueCast server and make their handset discoverable, the BlueCast server identifies their device via its Bluetooth ID (this is much like a phone number or an IP address, so each device has a unique code). The server checks to see the transaction history with this device and then, based upon a set of rules, the system delivers a relevant piece of content. This content can range from text files to Java applications.
BLUEJACKING
Bluejacking allows phone users to send business cards anonymously using Bluetooth wireless technology. Bluejacking does not involve the removal or alteration of any data from the device. Bluejacking is often used in grassroots marketing campaigns to promote mobile applications, such as advergames.
BLUETOOTH
Bluetooth was initially developed through the collaboration of a number of companies to standardize data synchronization across a wide variety of mobile devices. Through the use of infrared signaling, this short-range, digital wireless networking technology allows personal devices, such as PDAs, computers, printers and mobile phones, to all exchange data. For example, a Bluetooth-capable PDA can “talk to” a Bluetooth-enabled mobile phone to access the internet for email and web surfing. In addition, the same PDA is able to send a document to a Bluetooth-capable printer and synchronize (back up) data with a Bluetooth-capable PC or Mac. Bluetooth is capable of a range of approximately 30 feet.
BRANDED CONTENT
This most often refers to either brand-sponsored content or product placement. In the future, this phrase will describe any surrounding or embedded content that has some marketing/product information.
BREW
BREW (Binary Runtime Environment for Wireless) can run on a number of CDMA phone types, but is most commonly used as an application for CDMA BREW mobile handsets. It is a software function that can download and run small programs for playing games, sending messages, sharing photos, etc.
BROADBAND
This is internet access via cable or DSL. Broadband always refers to a high-speed connection, which allows for rich content, such as video, to be received.
CDMA (CODE DIVISION MULTIPLE ACCESS)
This digital, spread-spectrum, packet-based access system, currently used in certain cellular phone systems and some wireless networks, enables the breakup and spreading of a digital signal across a small portion of the spectrum. Because a spread signal must be decoded by the receiving device, just as it was coded by the sending device, this technology creates a more secure signal and allows for greater amounts of data to be transferred.
CLICK-THROUGH RATE
When a user clicks their mouse on digital content (banners, rich media, etc.) linked to other content it’s referred to as a “click-through.” If 10% of the people who see a particular ad click on that ad, then the ad has a click-through rate of 10%. This is a minor measure of the effectiveness of the ad.
CLICK-TO-CALL
Click-to-call is a service that allows a person to click on a button or a link on a website and automatically dial a phone number. Companies use this technology to enable customers to immediately speak with someone, usually a customer service representative.
CMS (CONTENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM)
A software system that facilitates the organization, control and publication of various types of content, including computer files, image media, audio files, electronic documents and multimedia. The system stores this content and allows for a collaborative approach to creating, editing and publishing the content to the public. The use of a CMS in conjunction with work-flow processes eases the tasks required to publish web content to websites.
CRM (CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT)
CRM creates and nurtures financial, structural and emotional bonds between customers and brands, online and offline.
DATA COLLECTION
This refers to the process of gathering information from viewers or users about what content is being watched, replayed or fast-forwarded, as well as the duration of each viewing. This data is often used to build a more beneficial relationship with these viewers.
DATA-ENHANCED TV
Data-enhanced TV is television that has been enabled to allow two-way communication between the audience and the service provider (such as the broadcaster, cable operator or set-top box manufacturer).
DBS (Direct Broadcast Satellite)
DBS is the main competitor to cable television. Rather than using underground cable lines, TV signals are transmitted by satellite to a dish stationed on the TV viewer’s roof. DirecTV and EchoStar are the dominant DBS companies in the U.S. With technologies such as DBS becoming more prevalent,
providing more options to the public, audiences are becoming more fragmented. As a result, advertisers have more options for reaching their audiences.
DTV (DIGITAL TELEVISION)
DTV uses digital signals, rather than conventional analog methods. Advantages of DTV over analog TV include:
DVR (DIGITAL VIDEO RECORDER)
This technology enables digital recording, pausing, rewinding and fast-forwarding of live TV shows. TiVo and ReplayTV are the dominant brand names of DVRs; however, many cable operators are simply building this functionality into their set-top boxes without any brand name attached. DVR also has the capability to store the viewer’s preferences, which, when combined with program information, enables more contextual, targeted advertising. A DVR is sometimes called a PVR (personal video recorder).
DYNAMIC IN-GAME ADVERTISING
Internet-connected console systems and PCs have enabled dynamic in-game advertising. This advertising can be tailored according to geographical location and time of day, and commercial messages can be changed in real time. Campaign performance is easily determined, with reporting on impressions, time spent and ad viewing angles.
ETV (ENHANCED TELEVISION)
This refers to a television experience that allows the viewer to interact with a broadcast in real time.
For example, viewers might have access to additional content, take part in live surveys or ask questions.
EPG (ELECTRONIC PROGRAM GUIDE)
An EPG is a user-controlled menu that allows viewers to browse and select programs on all channels offered by a digital cable or satellite service (usually 500-plus channels). Hitting the “Guide” button on the remote control is the most common way to access EPGs.
FAT PIPE
This refers to fiber-optic cable used on a network for high-speed communications to enable fast transfer of data. The cable has a wide bandwidth for baseband and broadband high-capacity communications.
FLASH DOWNLOAD
A Flash download is software, such as a game, that is built using the Adobe Flash platform and downloaded onto a mobile phone or PDA. Note: not all phones are Flash-enabled.
FOLKSONOMIES/TAGGING
A term derived from the words “folk” and “taxonomy,” folksonomy is the practice of collaborative categorization, a grassroots means of organizing information. Users “tag” pieces of information, such as bookmarks, photos or blog entries, with a descriptive keyword—making it possible to later search and syndicate such information via a keyword. Folksonomies are integral parts of sites such as Flickr, del.icio.us, Digg and Technorati.
GOOGLE TV
Google has revolutionized online marketing and now extends its reach into television. Due to an arrangement with EchoStar, Google TV enables marketers to buy television advertising through an online auction. Data from millions of consumer set-top boxes provides advertisers with precise measurement of commercial performance.
GPRS (GENERAL PACKET RADIO SERVICE)
GPRS is a continuous connection service for GSM, the cell phone standard for many carriers in the U.S. and most other countries. GPRS provides high-speed data services over cellular networks and requires a GPRS-supported connection. Because of its high speeds of data transfer (56 to 114 Kbps), it is ideal for users wishing to quickly send and receive email or surf the web from their PDA or mobile phone.
GPS (GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM)
The GPS is a “constellation” of 24 well-spaced satellites, owned and operated by the U.S. Department of Defense, that orbit the earth and make it possible for people with ground receivers to pinpoint their geographic location. The location accuracy is anywhere from 10 to 100 meters for most equipment. Accuracy can be pinpointed to within 1 meter with special military-approved equipment. GPS equipment is widely used in science, and has now become sufficiently low-cost that almost anyone can own a GPS receiver.
GSM (GLOBAL SYSTEM FOR MOBILE COMMUNICATION)
GSM, a second-generation digital or PCS wireless technology, is often used as a catch-all phrase for a family of technologies that includes GSM, EDGE and UMTS/WCDMA. Providing high-quality voice- and circuit-switched data services over a variety of spectrum bands, GSM is the current standard for digital cellular phone service in Europe, Japan and Australia. GSM’s innovative Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card allows users to easily switch operators or upgrade to new GPRS devices without the need to reconfigure their subscriber data. GSM’s extensive coverage makes it an attractive technology that is now gaining popularity in the U.S.
HOME NETWORK
A network is a group of two or more computers linked together, making it easier to move data from one computer to another. Networks enable multiple users to share hardware, such as printers, and connect to servers or the internet. A home network makes it easy for members of a single household to share internet access, whether over a phone line, cable modem or DSL modem in the home.
HULU
HULU.com is a recently launched (beta) online video on demand service, a joint venture between NBC Universal and News Corp. The service offers full-length episodes of NBC and Fox television programs and select movies, and accepts user-submitted videos. It is expected that sites such as AOL, MSN, MySpace and Yahoo! will eventually partner with Hulu to deliver video content.
I-MODE
This packet-based data service for mobile phones was introduced in 1999 by Japan’s leader in wireless technology, NTT DoCoMo. I-Mode was the world’s first smart phone for web browsing. The i-Mode wireless data service offers color and video over most phones. Its mobile computing services enable users to do telephone banking, make airline reservations, conduct stock transactions, send and receive email and access the internet. Operating fees are based on the volume of data transmitted, as opposed to the length of time connected.
INTELLITXT
IntelliTXT is a new, proprietary technology offered by Vibrant Media. It creates customized, sponsored, embedded text links within a web page, based on occurrences of keywords and phrases appearing in the content that match corresponding product information. This publisher-side approach allows web publishers to have controlled access to the rapidly growing on demand market, and gives advertisers the ability to deliver messages in a contextual environment.
IPG (INTERACTIVE PROGRAMMING GUIDE)
See: EPG (Electronic Program Guide)
IPHONE
One of the most hyped product launches of 2007, iPhone is a multimedia- and internet-enabled quad-band, GSM EDGE-supported mobile phone designed and marketed by Apple, Inc. User input is accomplished via a multitouch screen with virtual keyboard and buttons. The iPhone’s functions include those of a camera phone and a portable media player (iPod), in addition to text messaging and visual voice mail. It also offers internet services, including email, web browsing and local Wi-Fi connectivity. Until 2009, the exclusive carrier of the iPhone will be AT&T Wireless.
IPTV (INTERNET PROTOCOL TELEVISION)
IPTV uses a two-way digital broadcast signal (sent through a switched telephone or cable network by way of a broadband connection) and a set-top box programmed with software (much like a cable or DBS box) that can handle viewer requests to access many available media sources. The viewer’s TV connects to a set-top box that decodes the IP video and converts it into standard television signals. The set-top box is the gateway to an IP video switching system.
ITV (Interactive Television)
See: Enhanced Television.
IVR (INTERACTIVE VOICE RESPONSE)
An IVR system enables customers to gather and provide information in the most familiar way—by dialing a traditional phone number. IVR is a computerized system that allows a phone caller to select options from a menu either by using the keypad of a phone or by speaking simple answers, such as “yes” and “no.”
JAVA DOWNLOAD
A Java download is software that is built using the Java platform and downloaded and installed onto a mobile phone, PDA or computer. Java software has become a popular option for creating games for cell phones, as the games can be emulated on a PC during the developmental stage and easily downloaded to a handset.
Note: not all phones are Java enabled. Updates require new software to be downloaded.
JOOST
Joost (pronounced "juiced") is an online system for distributing TV shows and other forms of video content over the web, using peer-to-peer TV technology. Created by Niklas Zennström and Janus Friis (founders of Skype and Kazaa), Joost was one of the largest beta site launches of 2007, signing up over one million initial site users. Joost features high-quality video content from Fox, Warner Music, Indianapolis Motor Speedway Productions and Viacom (including MTV Networks, BET and film studio Paramount Pictures). Joost video has become one of the leading testing grounds for new online video advertising formats.
LBS (LOCATION-BASED SERVICES)
Location-based services (LBS) are services that exploit knowledge about where an information-device user is located. For example, the user of a wireless-connected smart phone could be shown ads specific to the region in which the user is traveling. Location-based services exploit any of several
technologies for knowing where a network user is geographically located. One is the Global Positioning System (GPS). A location-based service could require that each of its users have a mobile device that contains a GPS receiver. A second approach is E911, an initiative of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) that requires wireless carriers to pinpoint a caller’s
telephone number and call location to emergency dispatchers. E911 is the most widely used location-based service in the U.S.
LCD (LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAY)
LCD is the technology used widely for displays in notebooks and other small computers. Like light-emitting diode (LED) and gas-plasma technologies, LCDs allow displays to be much thinner than cathode ray tube (CRT) technology. LCDs consume much less power than LEDs and gas displays because they work on the principle of blocking light, rather than emitting it. An LCD is made with either a passive matrix or an active matrix display grid. The active matrix LCD is also known as a thin film transistor (TFT) display. The passive matrix LCD has a grid of conductors with pixels located at each intersection in the grid. An active matrix has a transistor located at each pixel intersection, requiring less current to control the luminance of a pixel.
MASH-UP
A mash-up is a web application that combines data from more than one source into a single, integrated tool. An example is the use of cartographic data from Google Maps to add location information to real estate data from Craigslist, thereby creating a new and distinct web service that was not originally provided by either source. Mash-ups are becoming increasingly popular through the proliferation of online application development.
M-COMMERCE (MOBILE COMMERCE)
M-commerce is the facility that enables users to sell and buy goods and services or, in other words, to make and accept payment, through mobile devices.
MESH NETWORK
This is a network in which devices are connected with many redundant interconnections between network nodes. In a true mesh network, every node has a connection to every other node in the network, either directly or by hopping through intermediate nodes. In the near future, computers, televisions and stereos might have the ability to act as components of a mesh network. In a wireless mesh network, each PDA, cellular phone or other mobile unit can act as a “node” on the network. Such multiple peer-to-peer connections would allow greater network resiliency more efficient balancing of network traffic, and would provide network access to areas where wireless reception isn’t possible.
METADATA
Metadata is data about data, used to facilitate the understanding, use and management of data. An item of metadata may describe an individual datum, or content item, or a collection of data made up of multiple content items.
MMO (MASSIVELY MULTIPLAYER ONLINE)
MMO games are video or computer games whose primary mode of play traditionally features hundreds (and often thousands) of gamers playing together in a persistent world hosted by a massive internet server. These games often carry a monthly fee of up to $15. Only recently has this traditionally PC-oriented genre expanded to video gaming, and it promises to expand further with the next generation of consoles.
MMS (MULTIMEDIA MESSAGING SERVICE)
MMS is a communications technology developed by 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project) that allows users to exchange multimedia communications between capable mobile phones and other devices. An extension to the short message service (SMS) protocol, MMS defines a way to send and receive, almost instantaneously, wireless messages that include photographs and audio and video clips, in addition to text.
MOBILE GAME
A mobile game is a software game played on a mobile phone. Most common are those that are downloaded onto the phone and played using the keys and functions on the handset. Games can also be played using various communications technologies that are built into the phone. For example, text messaging can be used to play a trivia game, while GPRS location identification can be used for a scavenger hunt.
MOBILE WEB ADVERTISING
Advertising via banner ads, sponsorships, etc., on a website that is specifically designed to be accessed by mobile phones, is referred to as mobile web advertising. Just like nonmobile online advertising, mobile web advertising gives companies the ability to place banner ads on others’ sites. The ads are clickable and link to pages that can present the advertisers’ messages. Advertisers can also sponsor content, just as they do on traditional online sites.
MOBISODE
A mobisode is a short broadcast television episode available for viewing on phones utilizing 3G technology. The first mobisodes are currently appearing on Verizon networks in the U.S. and Vodafone networks in England.
MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator)
A mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) is a mobile operator that does not own its own spectrum and usually does not have its own network infrastructure. Instead, MVNOs have business arrangements with traditional mobile operators to buy minutes of use (MOU) for sale to their own customers.
NANOTECHNOLOGY
Nanotechnology, or, as it is sometimes called, molecular manufacturing, is a branch of engineering that deals with the design and manufacture of extremely small electronic circuits and mechanical devices built at the molecular level of matter. The Institute of Nanotechnology in the U.K. describes nanotechnology as “science and technology where dimensions and tolerances in the range of 0.1 nanometer (nm) to 100 nm play a critical role.”
NFC (Near Field Communication)
Evolving from a combination of contactless identification and networking technologies, near field communication is a wireless connectivity technology that enables convenient short-range communication between electronic devices. It is an open interface platform that allows fast and automatic setup of wireless networks, providing a virtual connector for existing cellular, Bluetooth and wireless 802.11 devices. For example, NFC could enable a billboard to receive
information transmitted from a user’s cell phone, and thereby adjust its messaging based on the information culled from the user’s smart card. NFC can also enable wireless commerce.
OFF-DECK
This is digital media coming from a remote server or system. “Off-deck” is commonly used in mobile channels to refer to accessing content outside of a mobile carrier’s portal.
ON-DECK
This is digitial media coming directly from a local source. “On-deck” most commonly refers to a mobile carrier's own portal.
ON DEMAND
An on demand business is an enterprise whose business processes—integrated end-to-end across the company and with key partners, suppliers and customers—can respond with flexibility and speed to any customer demand, market opportunity or external threat.
P2P (PEER-TO-PEER)
Peer-to-peer is a communications model in which each party has the same capabilities, and either party can initiate a communication session. Other models with which P2P might be contrasted include the client/server model and the master/slave model. In some cases, peer-to-peer communications is implemented by giving each communication node both server and client capabilities. In recent usage, peer-to-peer has come to describe applications in which users can use the internet to exchange files with each other directly, or through a mediating server.
PCS (PERSONAL COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES)
The "personal" in PCS distinguishes this wireless phone technology from other, standard cellular service by emphasizing that, unlike cellular, which was designed for car phone use and coverage of highways and roads, PCS is designed for greater user mobility. It generally requires more cell transmitters for coverage, but has the advantage of fewer blind spots. Technically, cellular systems in the United States operate in the 824-849 megahertz (MHz) frequency bands; PCS operates in the1850-1990 MHz bands. PCS supports wireless phone, paging, messaging and data services.
PII (PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION)
This is information that consists of private details, such as Social Security number, address, credit card information, phone number, bank account number and name.
PLASMA DISPLAY
A plasma display is a computer video display in which each pixel on the screen is illuminated by a tiny bit of plasma, or charged gas, somewhat like a tiny neon light. Plasma displays are thinner than cathode ray tube (CRT) displays and brighter than liquid crystal displays (LCD). Plasma displays are sometimes marketed as “thin-panel” displays, and they can be used to display either analog video signals or digital computer input.
PLAYSTATION 3
Playstation 3 (PS3) is the third video game console from Sony. It features a “cell” processor that is 35 times more powerful than the processor in Playstation 2 (PS2). The system comes equipped with a Blu-ray DVD player, allowing for High Definition (HD) video quality play-back.
PODCASTING
This is the preparation and distribution of audio (and possibly other media) files for download to digital music or multimedia players, such as the iPod. A podcast can be easily created from a digital audio file. The podcaster first saves the file as an MP3 and then uploads it to the website of a service provider. The MP3 file gets its own URL, which is then inserted into an RSS XML document as an enclosure within an XML tag. Once a podcast has been created, it can be registered with content aggregators, such as podcast.net or Juice, for inclusion in podcast directories. People can browse through the categories or subscribe to specific podcast RSS feeds, which will download to their audio players automatically when they next connect. Although podcasts are generally audio files created for digital music players, the same technology can be used to prepare and transmit images, text and video to any capable device.
PORTABLE MEDIA PLAYER
Portable media player is a term for a handheld multimedia device that can play digital music, images and movie files that have been downloaded from the internet or stored on a personal computer. Portable media players are manufactured by several vendors, including Samsung, Creative Labs, and iRiver International. The most famous PMP is Apple's iPod.
POST-PUSH
Frank Rose used this term in the October 2003 issue of Wired magazine to define the transition to a marketing world, whereby communications are no longer “mass,” but rather “micro,” and are “pulled” by the consumer at a time and place of their choosing.
POST-ROLL AD
This is an ad spot that appears after selected content is viewed.
PRE-ROLL AD
This is an ad spot that appears before selected content is played.
PSMS (PREMIUM SHORT MESSAGE SYSTEM)
When premium content, or content that consumers pay for, is sent to mobile phones using SMS, it is referred to as PSMS. Usually, the charge is split between the content provider and the mobile network operator. Some examples of premium content are ringtones, wallpaper and news alerts.
PVR (PERSONAL VIDEO RECORDER)
See: DVR (Digital Video Recorder).
QR CODE
This matrix code format (or two-dimensional bar code) was created by the Japanese corporation Denso Wave in 1994. The “QR” is derived from “Quick Response,” as the creator intended the code to allow its contents to be decoded at high speed. QR Code–reading software on camera phones in Japan has led to a wide variety of new consumer-oriented applications, aimed at relieving users of the tedious task of entering data into their mobile phone.
RFID (RADIO-FREQUENCY IDENTIFICATION)
RFID is a method of identifying items by using radio devices and microchips embedded into small tags. Whereas bar-coded items are typically read once and require a bar code scanner, near field communications and RFID enable a cell phone or other mobile device to be used as a reader, opening up numerous potential applications across industries. The RFID reader picks up information stored on the tag, such as a unique serial number or a customer account number. Current applications of RFID include automated highway toll collection, retail item tracking, storage of medical information and animal tracking.
RICH MEDIA
This refers to web content that contains multimedia components, such as audio, video or special effects using Shockwave, Flash or Javascript, to create a richer and more engaging user experience.
RSS (RICH SITE SUMMARY / REALLY SIMPLE SYNDICATION)
RSS, formerly called RDF Site Summary is a method of describing news or other web content that is available for “feeding” content (distribution or syndication) from an online publisher to web users. Originally developed by Netscape for its browser’s Netcenter channels, the RSS specification is now available for anyone to use. A website that wants to publish some of its content, such as news headlines or stories, creates a description of the content and specifies where the content is on its site, in the form of an RSS document. The publishing site then registers its RSS document with one of several existing directories of RSS publishers. A user with a web browser or a special program that can read RSS-distributed content can read periodically provided distributions.
SEMANTIC WEB
The semantic web is an evolving extension of the World Wide Web that provides a common framework to allow data to be shared and reused across applications, enterprises and community boundaries. It is a collaborative effort led by W3C with participation from a large number of researchers and industrial partners, and is based on the Resource Description Framework (RDF). Though still in early development, the semantic web hopes to create common formats for integration and combination of data drawn from diverse sources (whereas originally the World Wide Web concentrated on the interchange of documents), and to create a universal language for how data relates to real-world objects. It will allow for a more seamless and integrated web experience.
SEM (SEARCH ENGINE MARKETING)
This is the development and management of search engine paid-listing campaigns. Popular search engines such as Yahoo! and Google sell advertising targeted to keywords, or terms being searched by users. These keywords are sold via a pay-per-click (PPC) auction system, with positioning determined by the price an advertiser is willing to pay for a listing, as well as the response rate garnered by the ad. Given the highly flexible and dynamic model, successful search campaigns typically require the specialized monitoring and optimization provided by SEM specialists.
SEO (SEARCH ENGINE OPTIMIZATION)
This is the art of developing websites and web pages that can be searched appropriately by leading search engines. Search engine optimization results in a higher website listing within search engine results pages, which ultimately drives more traffic to the optimized site.
SET-TOP BOX
This is the box installed by cable and satellite operators in a subscriber’s home to transform their signals into television images. The technology employed by a set-top box often determines the level of interactivity enabled.
SHORT CODE
Short codes are special telephone numbers that are shorter than typical phone numbers, and are used to address SMS and MMS messages from a mobile phone. These five- or six-digit numbers have been widely utilized for television voting, ordering ringtones and charity donations.
SMS (SHORT MESSAGE SERVICE)
This is a system for sending short messages (up to either 160 or 224 characters) between mobile phones using a GSM cellular network. SMS messages do not require that the destination phone be available, and they will be stored for several days.
SOCIAL BOOKMARKING
Sites such as del.icio.us and Furl.net allow for the public bookmarking of websites. The users tag the bookmarks that they store on the sites with descriptive keywords, so that the sites can act as content navigational devices and filters.
SOCIAL NETWORKING SERVICES
These are sites that allow for the development of online, socially networked communities, based upon personal relationships and shared interests. Examples include:
SPLOG
A splog is a spam blog – an artificial weblog that the author uses to promote affiliated websites or to increase the search engine rankings of associated sites. The purpose of a splog can be to increase the page rank or backlink portfolio of affiliate websites, to artificially inflate paid ad impressions from visitors or to use the blog as a link outlet to get new sites indexed. These blogs usually contain a high number of links to sites associated with the splog creators, who are often disreputable.
STATIC IN-GAME ADVERTISING
Static in-game advertising is hard-coded into video games, and does not allow for rotating ad copy. These ad placements are usually heavily integrated into the game story line, in a similar manner to television product placement.
STREAMING VIDEO
Streaming video is video that is watched while it is being delivered. Streaming is more a property of the delivery system than the media itself. Video can be streamed online or through mobile services.
SVS (SWITCHED VIDEO SERVICE)
The SVS system allows viewers to access broadcast network channels, subscription services and movies on demand. The consumer can access different media by using the television remote to send control commands to the SVS. The unit processes the request and displays the requested media type. Though there are many possible media sources, only one video channel is utilized in the process.
SVOD (SUBSCRIPTION VIDEO ON DEMAND)
SVOD refers to the packaging of a series of programs that a cable subscriber pays for on a monthly basis. SVOD allows access to all programming at any time, regardless of a channel’s program schedule.
SWARMING
Swarming describes a phenomenon in which mobile communications are used to draw like-minded people to converge on a specific location from all directions, simultaneously. Manila, Seattle, San Francisco, Senegal and Britain have all been sites of nonviolent political swarming.
TAG
A tag is a keyword or term associated with a piece of information (a picture, a geographic map, a blog entry, a video clip, etc.) to describe the item and enable keyword-based classification and search of information. Tags are typically used for resources such as computer files, web pages, digital images and internet bookmarks (both in social bookmarking services and in the current generation of web browsers). Typically, an item will have one or more tags associated with it.
TAG CLOUD
A tag cloud is a visual depiction of the content tags used on a given website. Tags are typically listed alphabetically, and tag frequency is shown with font size or color, allowing a tag to be found both by alphabet and by popularity. The tags within a tag cloud are usually hyperlinks that lead to a collection of associated items.
TELESCOPING
This is the linking of content from the linear broadcast pod to preloaded, long-form content. It enables consumers to jump to richer advertising content while the device pauses the live TV but continues to record the show from the jump-off point.
TIVO
TiVo is a company offering a branded, subscription-based, interactive television service that lets viewers program and control which television shows they watch and when. TiVo requires the purchase of a personal digital video receiver and a subscription to TiVo Personal TV Service. The service and the receiver are compatible with cable, digital cable, direct broadcast satellite, VCRs and rooftop antennae. The service allows viewers to manipulate programs by pausing, rewinding or instantly replaying a portion of the broadcast, without missing succeeding action.
TIVO SHOWCASE
Also known generically as “advertising showcase,” this concept was originated by TiVo. A unique area is designated within a provider’s programming interface that furnishes an additional platform for advertisers to showcase their marketing and provides a deeper engagement with consumers by using richer advertising content.
UGC (USER-GENERATED CONTENT)
User-generated content refers to various kinds of publicly available media content that is produced by end users. The term entered the mainstream during 2005, after being created in web publishing and new media content production circles. It reflects the expansion of media production through new technologies that are accessible and affordable to the general public, including digital video, blogging, podcasting, news, gossip, research, mobile phone photography and wikis. UGC diminishes the barriers to collaboration, skill building and discovery.
VIRAL VIDEO
Viral video refers to any video that becomes popular through the process of online sharing. Sharing may take place through social networking sites, email, video sites (YouTube) or blogs. At the moment, viral videos attain widespread popularity on personal computers, but this is due to change as consumers begin to share more media on their mobile phones.
VLOG
A vlog is a video blog. Regular vlog entries are typically presented in reverse chronological order, and they often combine embedded video or a video link with supporting text, images and metadata.
VOD (VIDEO ON DEMAND)
This refers to the capability of a cable customer to view a piece of video, delivered via a set-top box, whenever desired. On demand programming might include movies, TV shows, music videos, trailers, news segments or any proprietary video produced by the cable operator or its entertainment affiliates. Unlike pay-per-view, VOD allows the viewer to start the program at his leisure—and stop, start and rewind as many times as desired—within a 24-hour period.
VOIP (VOICE OVER INTERNET PROTOCOL)
This is a category of hardware and software that enables people to use the internet as the transmission medium for telephone calls. For users who have free or fixed-price internet access, internet telephony software essentially provides free telephone calls anywhere in the world. To date, however, internet telephony does not offer the same quality of telephone service as direct
telephone connections.
WALLED GARDEN
An online service that makes it easy and attractive to use information services offered by its partners, but slower and harder to use services offered by outsiders. (AOL is a common example of a walled garden information provider.) Technically, this is accomplished with selective caching, attenuated connections to the internet at large, and a new generation of data switches that can selectively delay data en route to and from nonpreferred services.
WAP (WIRELESS APPLICATION PROTOCOL)
WAP is an open, international standard specification for a set of communications protocols to standardize the way that wireless devices, such as cellular telephones and radio transceivers, can be used for internet access, including email. WAP was conceived by four companies: Ericsson, Motorola, Nokia and Unwired-Planet.
WAP PUSH (WIRELESS APPLICATION PROTOCOL PUSH)
A WAP push is a specially encoded message that includes a link to a WAP internet address to enable access to the internet from a mobile phone or PDA. A WAP push is also often used as a means of sending content, such as ringtones, wallpaper or games, to a mobile device. When the customer clicks on the link, the content is retrieved and downloaded.
WEBISODE
A webisode is a single push-technology episode of content viewed online. A webisode can be a preview or promotion of a particular TV show, music video or other show presented by a website using streaming video or other techniques. Some sites are dedicated to presenting webisodes.
WIDGET
Widgets are downloadable, interactive, virtual tools that reside on the desktop and provide services, such as news aggregation, clocks, calculators, calendars, “sticky” notes and weather forecasts. Though traditionally used on the desktop, new versions of widgets are being developed for use on internet home pages, mobile phones and BlackBerry devices.
WII
The Wii is Nintendo’s latest gaming system and one of the hottest consumer products on the planet. A distinguishing feature of the console is its wireless controller, which can detect acceleration in three dimensions. The Wii is helping to change the image of gaming from that of a sedentary activity to one of true physical activity. It is responsible for opening up video games to a wider audience.
WIFI (WIRELESS FIDELITY)
This is the popular term for a high-frequency wireless local area network (WLAN). WiFi technology is rapidly gaining acceptance in many companies (and homes) as an alternative to a wired LAN. WiFi operates under the 802.11 standard in the 2.4GHz range, which is also the same frequency as some cordless phones, garage door openers and walkie-talkies. An 802.11 (WiFi) base station is often attached to a local network, which in turn is attached to the internet or corporate network. Unless adequately protected, a WiFi wireless LAN can be susceptible to access from the outside by unauthorized users, some of whom will use the access as a free internet connection. Companies that have a wireless LAN are urged to add security safeguards. Many airports, hotels and fast-food facilities now offer public access to a WiFi network; these are known as “hotspots.” Although many hotspots charge a daily or hourly rate for access, some locations do not.
WEB 2.0
This term refers to a “second generation” of internet-based services, such as social networking sites, wikis, communication tools and folksonomies, that let people collaborate and share information online in ways previously unavailable.
WEB 3.0
This term denotes the evolution of web usage and interaction along several paths. These include transforming the web into a database, moving toward making content accessible by multiple non-browser applications, the leveraging of artificial intelligence technologies, the semantic web, the geospatial web and the 3D web.
WIKI
A wiki is a server program that allows users to collaborate in creating and shaping the content of a website. With a wiki, any user can edit the site content, including other users’ contributions, using a regular web browser on their own computer. Basically, a wiki website operates on a principle of collaborative trust. The term comes from the word “wikiwiki,” which means “fast” in the Hawaiian language. The simplest wiki programs allow editing of text and hyperlinks only. More advanced wikis make it possible to add or change images, tables and certain interactive components, such as games. A wiki provides a simplified interface; it is not necessary to know HTML (hypertext markup language) or perform work in HTML code. The best known example of a wiki website is Wikipedia, an online dictionary-building collaboration.
WIMAX (WORLDWIDE INTEROPERABILITY FOR MICROWAVE ACCESS)
WiMax refers to broadband wireless access technology capable of transmitting network signals across as much as 30 miles of linear service area. This is much greater than WiFi’s coverage of several thousand square feet.
WIRELESS FREENETS
A freenet is a community wireless network that uses inexpensive radios and antennae that operate in a license-free band to ensure true freedom of communication over the internet. It allows anybody within the loose-knit sort of community it serves to access the internet wirelessly, for free.
WIRELESS QUILTS
Recent technical and regulatory events have made it possible for people to share wireless internet access at speeds higher than expected for expensive third-generation (3G) mobile telephones. Users have to buy a high-speed internet connection from an existing “upstream” provider in order to support a “downstream” wireless community, but the connection provides users with the power to do things that only the connection provider could do in the past.
XBOX 360
Xbox 360 is the second video game console produced by Microsoft. Its Xbox Live service allows players to compete online and download arcade games and content such as game demos, trailers, TV shows, music videos or rented movies. The Xbox 360 is the successor to the Xbox, and competes with Sony's PlayStation 3 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of gaming systems.
