Mobile Phones

Mobiles

Mobile phone technology is fast-evolving, and young people are leading the development.  Mobile phones are capable of much more than phone-calls and text messages, with multi-media messaging, internet capabilities, location-based technologies, video creation and a host of other functions.

SMS 
Short Message Service (SMS) is a service available on most digital mobile phones that permit the sending of short messages (also known as text messages) between mobile phones, other handheld devices and even landline telephones.

Texting is seen as a viable, and sometimes even a preferable, alternative to making a traditional phone call. Text messages are often cheaper than voice calls, and can also be ‘queued’ or ‘pushed’ so that even if a user’s phone is switched off, when they turn it on they will receive the text message. Additionally, text messages are often considered less obtrusive, as the receiver need only view the message, as opposed to engaging in conversation. This could be especially important when a receiver is in a location where it may be rude or inconvenient to conduct a telephone conversation, such as a library or meeting.

Txt Speak
Because of the limited message lengths and tiny user interface of mobile phones, SMS users commonly make extensive use of abbreviations, particularly the use of numbers for words (for example, “4″ in place of the word “for”), the omission of vowels, as in the phrase “txt msg”, or the replacement of spaces with capitalization, such as “ThisIsVeryCool”. To avoid the even more limited message lengths allowed when using Cyrillic or Greek letters, some Eastern Europeans use the Latin alphabet for their own language.

Some examples of text messaging language:
Single letters can be used to replace words. Examples include:
• be becomes b
• see becomes c
• are becomes r
• you becomes u
• why becomes y

Equally, single digits can be used to replace words. Examples include:
• ate becomes 8
• for becomes 4
• to or too becomes 2

Individual syllables can be replaced with a single letter or digit. Examples:
• ate becomes 8, so: activate becomes activ8, great becomes gr8, mate becomes m8
• be becomes b
• for or Fore becomes 4, so: before becomes (combining both of the above) b4, therefore becomes there4

Other examples include:
BTW By The Way
FYI For Your Information
txt Text Message
Spk Speak
Thx/Thnx Thanks
Msg Message
Pls Please
2moro/2moz Tomorrow
L8r Later
B4 Before 
 
What is Bluetooth?
For some time now it has been possible to swap information between mobiles, computers, printers and PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants) either using very short-range infra-red, or a cable connector. Bluetooth technology is a different way of enabling electronic devices to communicate with each other by using a short-range radio link. With Bluetooth, the devices must usually be within 10 metres of each other, but this distance can be increased with the right hardware.

Preventing Blue Tooth problems

• Check your phone handbook or manual or use the internet to browse the phone manufacturer online to find out if you or your child’s mobile is equipped with Bluetooth technologyv
• Emphasise to your child, the importance of telling you if they receive any strange or unwanted messages or if they suspect someone is accessing their mobile remotely. 
• Switch off the Bluetooth option, “discoverable” on the mobile phone. This makes the phone invisible to others and thereby minimises the risk of it being accessed. Handset set-up varies so, if it is not obvious how to do this, it is best to check the handbook that accompanies the handset, or directly with the handset manufacturer. 
• Not all Bluetooth handsets can be “snarfed”. However if you would like to check whether your phone is vulnerable it is best to contact your handset manufacturer either through their customer care line or by looking on their website.

(iPhones and mobile Internet)