802.11a – Newer version of 802.11b that allows devices to exchange information at up to 54 mbs.

802.11b – A wireless standard for device connectivity. Mainly for LAN connections and not necessarily wireless Internet . This standard allows handhelds, desktops and other wireless devices to exchange information at up to 11 mbs at several hundred feet.

Apple Newton - Apple Computer developed this early model PDA during the 1980's.

Backlight – Optional illumination function in handheld or e-book reader displays which allows the user to read in the dark.

Beaming – A way to send information between two PDAs via the infrared port. Can also be used to send information to the printer or other devices.

BlackBerry - Wireless handheld manufactured by Research In Motion.

Bluetooth – Technology specification for short range wireless connection using chips in cellular phones, mobile PCs and other portable devices.

Clie - Handheld manufactured by Sony. CLIE stands for Communication, Link, Information, & Entertainment.

Compact Flash – A removable expansion which could be memory or other connectivity software.

CPU - Central Processing Unit (Processor). Examples are the ARM, MIPS, StrongARM and Motorola 68000 architectures.

Cradle – A device the handheld computer is placed in to synchronize data with the desktop computer. Cradles connects to the computer via USB or serial connection. Some types also recharge handheld computer batteries as well.

Dell Computer - Company that sells the Axim line of Pocket PCs.

Doc – document. This term is usually used for electronic documents.

Document reader – A program to read documents on the handheld computer

Ebook - A digital or electronic version of a book.

E-text – Text in electronic format which can be read from a handheld computer

Expansion slots – Physical slots on some handheld computers that can be used for extra memory, a digital camera, electronic book cards, Margi-Presenter-to-go etc.

Franklin eBookMan - A line of eBook reader and content playing handhelds developed by Franklin.

GPE - The GPE Palmtop Environment aims to be a free GUI for PDAs

GPS – Global Positioning System

Graffiti – Handwriting recognition on Palm OS devices

Handspring – A company which manufactures handheld computers such as the Handspring Visor which use the Palm operating system. Now merged with PalmOne.

Hotsync – The process and software by which handheld computers synchronize/share information with a desktop computer

Infrared – Handheld devices can use this to transmit information to each other or to a printer without being physically connected

IPAQ - A Pocket PC first released by Compaq and now manufactured by Hewlett Packard.

IT – Information technology

J2ME - Java 2 Platform, Micro Edition

Kilobyte – 1000 print or non-print characters

LCD – Liquid crystal display. Optical technology making small flat screens possible.

Megabyte – 1000 kilobytes

Memory stick - A removable flash memory system developed by Sony and used in Sony handheld computers

Microbrowser - An internet browser designed for PDAs or mobile phones.

MMC - Short for Multi Media Card

Native applications – The handheld computing applications like calendar and memopad which come on the handheld computer pre-installed.

OpenZaurus - Created as an alternative ROM image for the Sharp Zaurus.

OS – Operating System. Handheld computers may have a Windows Mobile operating system, Palm operating system, or other type such as linux.

Palm – Company which manufactures handheld devices ( formerly PalmOne). Also a generic term for a handheld computer.

Palm-Size PC - Predecessor to the Pocket PC

PalmSource - Developer of the Palm operating system

PDA – personal digital assistant. A generic term which could apply to Pocket PCs with Windows Mobile or Palm OS devices.

PIM – personal information management. Refers to handheld computer applications that organize personal information such as calendar, to do lists, memos.

Plucker - A free offline Web and eBook viewer for Palm OS handheld devices.

Pocket PC – Handheld operating system developed by Microsoft – generic term for handheld devices which run Windows Mobile.

Psion - Developed the Series 3, 5, 7 and Revo line of PDAs.

RAM – Random access memory. Temporary storage for computer files.

REX 6000 - Micro PDA manufactured by Xircom.

ROM – Read only memory. Used for static information on computers.

Secure Digital - A popular flash memory device for PDAs

Sharp Zaurus - A line of PDAs manufactured by Sharp Electronics. 

Symbian OS - Symbian Operating System

Stylus – A pen writing device for the handheld computer. Used with touch-screens to initiate commands with the operating system and also to input data.

Sync – short for hotsync.

TomeRaider - A cross-platform reference and e-book reader for Windows, Palm OS, Pocket PC, Psion, Symbian, Nokia and Sony Ericsson.

USB – Universal Serial bus – a way for handheld computers to connect with desktop computers.

WAN – Wireless access network or wide area network

WAP – Wireless Application Protocol; standard that describes display interface for handhelds.

Wi-Fi - Wireless Fidelity

Windows CE – Microsoft operating system for handheld and mobile computers.

Windows Mobile - Operating system for Pocket PCs, Smartphones and Portable Media Centers.

WML – Wireless Markup Language