ADB: Short for Android Debug Bridge. Part of the Android
Software Development Kit (SDK), it allows for ROOT-level access to the
Android device from a computer.
AOSP: Short for Android Open Source Project. The open-sourced code from which individuals can build new distributions of Android.
APK: An Android executable file, similar to the .exe file in Windows. Most programs will install with a .apk file.
AUDIENCE CHIP:
A voice processing chip installed on the I897/Captivate that provides
noise suppression and voice quality enhancement for phone functions.
BACKLIGHT NOTIFICATION: A program that turns the LEDs behind the
Menu/Home/Back/Search buttons on to indicate system events (e.g. new
voicemail, etc).
BLN: Short for Backlight Notification. See BACKLIGHT NOTIFICATION.
BOOTLOADER:
There are two of these that can be flashed, the primary and secondary
bootloaders. These programs tell the Android device how to start up,
and are critical to its functionality.
BML: Short for Block Management Layer. Provides a programming interface simulating the parallel disk model.
BRICK: An Android device that is completely non-responsive, i.e.
nothing lights up, the screen does nothing, no combination of button
presses cause any reaction. Can only be restored by JTAG, UNBRICKABLE
MOD, or warranty service.
BUILD.PROP: A plain text file which contains environmental
variables for the system to use during operation. Can be hacked to fake
a different model for increased functionality, among many other
operations.
BUSYBOX: An application that contains many standard Unix tools. Commonly used with TITANIUM BACKUP.
BUTTON COMBO: The act of pressing several buttons at the same
time to produce a desired result (e.g. pushing volume up, volume down,
and the power button for 10 seconds on FROYO will reboot into the
RECOVERY menu). 3-Button Combo is a common example. May also be
referred to as a "Chord".
CLAY: An Android device that is not fully functional, but shows
signs of functionality. Unlike a BRICK, the clay can be recovered
without using JTAG. See also SOFT BRICK, BRICK.
CLOCKWORKMOD RECOVERY MENU: This is a program that allows you to
install custom ROMS as well as do many other low-level customizations.
Often referred to as the "RECOVERY MENU". See also "ROM MANAGER"
CM: Short for CyanogenMod. CyanogenMod is an Android build
built from the Android Open Source Project, and its builds are usable on
multiple different Android Devices.
CWM: Short for ClockWorkMod Recovery Menu. See CLOCKWORKMOD RECOVERY MENU.
DALVIK CACHE: The collection of program information stored for
use by the DALVIK program. This can be cleared from the RECOVERY menu
to resolve issues with the Android OS.
DALVIK:
The Android operating system's memory management tool. This program
handles which other programs are running and assigns memory to them
DEODEXED: Removing the .odex files from an APK file. The .odex
files contain a list of dependencies for the associated file, and if
something changes, the .odex (and similarly, the associated file) not
longer function correctly.
DOWNLOAD: The download menu is the lowest-level interface to the
Android device. Allows for full access to all flashable items on the
device via the ODIN/HEIMDALL tool.
ECLAIR: The Android OS version 2.1.x. See also STOCK.
EFS: The directory /efs on the Android device's internal
storage. Contains files with the Android device's IMEI, wireless
devices MAC addresses, product code, and other information..
EMMC:
Short for Embedded MultiMediaCard. A chip architecture consisting of an
embedded storage solution with MMC interface, flash memory and
controller, all in a small ball grid array package.
EXT4: A journaling file system (e.g. NTFS, FAT32 are file systems) often used by Linux distributions. Can be used with Android.
EXTERNAL SD: A micro SD card that has been inserted in the micro SD slot in the Android device. Can be removed.
FACTORY RESET: This will remove all user customizations in the
Android OS, returning it to a factory state. Note: This will not wipe
the Internal SD card.
FC: Short for FORCE CLOSE. See FORCE CLOSE.
FLASHING: The act of writing code to the Android device. ROMs,
MODEMs, KERNELs, and BOOTLOADERs can all be flashed. Independent from,
and having nothing to do with, Adobe's Flash product.
FORCE CLOSE: When a program on the Android device becomes
unstable, the DALVIK program will force it to terminate to prevent
further system instability.
FREEZE: Specific to TITANIUM BACKUP. Using the TITANIUM BACKUP
tool, the user changes a program into a non-functional, but still
installed, state. Useful for identifying problem and FCs.
FROYO: The Android OS version 2.2.x. This version of Android
OS was released via AT&T to the captivate as an update over KIES
MINI.
GB: Short for Gingerbread, the Android OS version 2.3.x.
GOVERNOR: A program that interacts with the device hardware to
increase or decrease the processor's clock speed (e.g. at low usage, it
will set the processor speed to 400 MHz, but as usage increases, it
would scale up to 1000 MHz).
HEIMDALL: An open-source program by Benjamin Dobell that allows
the Android device to be flashed back to stock or with custom software.
See also ODIN.
HEIMDALL ONE-CLICK:
An open-source, cross-platform, auto-dependency-installing, Linux,
Windows and Mac one-click ROM deployment system based on the Open-Source
project Heimdall, with multiple adminsitrative, technical and
engineering controls making it much less likely to "brick" a phone then
ODIN. Heimdall One-Click was created by Recognized Developer Adam
Outler.
HSUPA/HSDPA: Short for High Speed (Up/Down) Packet Access. This
is 3G+, and is the Android device's internet speed level between 3G and
4G.
I9000: The Samsung Galaxy international model. SImilar to the Captivate, Fascinate, Vibrant, and Mesmerize.
ICS: Short for Ice Cream Sandwich, the Android OS version 4.0.x.
IMEI:
Short for International Mobile Equipment Identity. A unique number to
identify GSM, WCDMA, and iDEN phones. Used by GSM networks to identify
valid devices.
INTERNAL SD: The internal storage memory of the Android device. Not a physical SD card that can be removed.
JIG: A piece of hardware that makes a physical connection
between pins 4 and 5 of the USB slot to force the Android device into
DOWNLOAD mode.
JTAG: A process of connecting directly to the main board of the Android device to rewrite corrupted BOOTLOADERS.
KANG:
Originally used to refer to stolen or leaked code. In CyanogenMod
builds, a KANG build is one that is an unofficial branch from the main
CyanogenMod development. These builds usually contain custom
modifications that did not make the official CyanogenMod builds.
KERNEL: The collection of software drivers and more "nuts and bolts" programs that allow the basic functionality of the device.
KIES MINI: A Samsung-proprietary program that allows flashing of official updates to the Android OS.
LAGFIX: Changing the file system used by the Android OS
(ususally to EXT4) to reduce the perceived lag in the operation of the
Android device.
LAUNCHER: A program that launches programs in Android. Examples are Touchwiz (Samsung), Launcher Pro, ADW Launcher, and Go Launcher.
MD5 CHECKSUM:
A 32-digit (128-bit) hash number generated by a cryptographic program
to ensure that a downloaded file matches the original file. The
original file is run through the MD5 generator program, which creates
the 32-bit number. This number is checked against the md5 number
created with the file the end user receives to ensure file integrity.
MODEM: The software that interfaces with the phone's radio hardware to connect to cell phone towers.
MTD: Short for Memory Technology Device. A type of device file in
the Linux structure that interacts with flash memory. Provides an
abstraction layer between applications and hardware-specific device
drivers.
MODEM DANCE:
A combination of key presses, MODEM flashes, and reboots required to
force some Android devices to restrict the band use to the 850 MHz WCDMA
band.
NANDROID BACKUP: A complete system image backup of the Android device except for the MODEM and KERNEL. Can be accessed from CWM.
NO-WIPE PACKAGE: A rom update package that leaves the user's
market apps intact while still performing the updates to the system
files. Restoring from backup is not necessary. See also WIPE PACKAGE.
NV_DATA.BIN: An encrypted file in the /EFS directory that contains the Android device's IMEI number and product code. See also EFS.
OC: Short for Overclocking. See OVERCLOCKING.
OCLF: One Click Lag Fix - a outdated method of using the EXT2
file system to reduce perceived lag in the Android OS. See also LAGFIX.
ODEX: A file that is associated with an APK file, containing a list of the dependencies for the program. See also DEODEXED.
ODIN: A Samsung proprietary program that allows the Android
device to be flashed back to stock or with custom software. See also
HEIMDALL.
ODIN ONE-CLICK:
A version/package of the ODIN program that contains and will preload
the necessary files to flash back to STOCK (usually ECLAIR).
ODIN THREE BUTTON: A version/package of the ODIN program that
will FLASH the necessary files to restore the three-BUTTON COMBO used to
get a FROYO ROM into the RECOVERY MENU. Only needs to be used if the
user's Android device is missing the files necessary. ODIN ONE-CLICK
must be flashed prior to using this package to avoid CLAY/BRICK status.
ONECLICK UNBRICK:
A program developed by recognized developer Adam Outler that will
release the locks on an Android device that are holding it in a CLAY
state.
OVERCLOCKING: Setting the processor's clock speed to run faster than its default setting, i.e. 1200 MHz (1.2 GHz) vs 1000 MHz (1.0 GHz).
PIT FILE: Short for Partition Information Table file. One of the possible file types used while flashing with ODIN or HEIMDALL.
PRIMARY BOOTLOADER:
Also known as First Stage Bootloader. The first bootloader run at
boot time, this bootloader finds RAM for the Android device, and hands
the boot sequence off to the SECONDARY BOOTLOADER. File name is
"boot.bin". See also BOOTLOADER, SECONDARY BOOTLOADER.
RAT:
Short for Radio Access Technology. This determines how the network
decides the QoS (quality of service) on the connection between the
Android device and the carrier's data towers.
RECOVERY: The menu that allows a user to do many low-level
operations on the Android Device. This menu can either be the stock
Samsung menu, or the CLOCKWORKMOD RECOVERY MENU (CWM). See also CWM.
REORIENTED: Changing the code of a KERNEL from one device (e.g.
Samsung Galaxy S) so that it will function on another device (e.g.
Samsung Captivate).
RFS: A Samsung-proprietary file system (e.g. NTFS, FAT32 are file systems) used on STOCK Android. Stands for Robust File System.
ROM: The collection of programs, themes, and settings that
create the general look-and-feel of your Android device. This is what
most users will initially be wanting to change.
ROM MANAGER: The Android OS front end program for the
CLOCKWORKMOD RECOVERY MENU (or CWM). Allows use of many of the CWM
features from inside the Android OS. See also CWM.
SECONDARY BOOTLOADER:
Also known as Second Stage Bootloader. The second bootloader run at
boot time, this bootloader handles the processes required to allow the
Android device to boot the main kernel, such as file systems, memory,
and MODEM. File name is sbl.bin. See also BOOTLOADER, PRIMARY
BOOTLOADER.
ROOT: Changing the permission level of the Android system to its
most powerful level, the root user, allowing full access to the file
system.
SILVER SPEAKER:
One of the most powerful and dangerous modifications to the Android
device available. Can cause a variety of results, from improved signal
to radioactive cats in boxes. Should not be used by the infirm or those
with faulty
gluons.
SOFT BRICK: This does not exist. A misnomer for a device that
is not functioning correctly, but still shows some signs of operation.
See CLAY.
STOCK: The Android software version that comes installed on new
devices, prior to sale to the user. On the original Captivate, it was
Eclair 2.1. Can also be used to refer to the Android software issued
from Samsung or the carrier.
TETHER: Connecting the Android device to a computer via a wired
or wireless connection to allow the transfer of data through the Android
device's internet connection. Commonly used to provide internet access
to a laptop or desktop computer when other methods are not desired or
available.
THEME: A collection of images, backgrounds, colors, font types,
and other visual items to change the Android device's look and feel.
Separate from LAUNCHER, and is usually FLASHed in CWM.
TIBU: Short for Titanium Backup. See TITANIUM BACKUP.
TITANIUM BACKUP: A backup utility available in the Android
Market that allows users to back up their applications, the saved data
for the applications, and system settings.
UNBRICKABLE MOD:
A hardware modification that removes a resistor and reconnects another
resistor to the removed resistor's active pad, permanently allowing the
Android device to reach a development board state. This allows
reloading of bootloaders that have previously been corrupted or
incorrectly installed, along with preventing the Android device from
ever reaching a true "hard brick" state. Originally developed by
Recognized Developer Adam Outler.
UNDERVOLTING: Setting the voltage levels drawn by the Android device to a lower level to reduce overall battery usage.
UV: Short for Undervolting. See UNDERVOLTING.
VOODOO LAGFIX:
Converts /system, /cache, /dbdata and /data to Ext4 with optimized
parameters for speed but also guaranteeing data integrity. Also
configures the write behavior of Linux to prevent lag from happening,
plus applies some memory management providing a better balance than
stock settings.
VOODOO COLOR: A series of improvements to the visual elements of
the Android OS. Enhances clarity, offers color adjustments, and other
visual tweaks.
VOODOO SOUND: A series of improvements to the audio elements of
the Android OS. Enhances audio clarity, allows for more powerful
adjustment to overall sound levels, plus additional tweaks.
WCDMA:
Short for Wideband Code Division Multiple Access. An air interface
standard in 3G mobile communications networks that allows higher speeds
and more users.
WIPE PACKAGE: A rom package that will format the portions of the
Android device where the user's market apps are stored, in addition to
any updates to the system folders. After a wipe package is installed,
the user will have to restore apps from a backup or redownload them from
the Android Market. See also NO-WIPE PACKAGE.
ZIPALIGNED: An archive alignment tool that provides important
optimization to APK files. The purpose is to ensure that all
uncompressed data starts with a particular alignment relative to the
start of the file. Reduces RAM consumption.
