School is almost over, but of course before we can all go enjoy our stress free summer breaks, we need to take our finals. Ours this year start this Thursday and run till Tuesday the 17, so we just wanted to let you all know that we might not be able to get as much out as possible for we do need to take these tests. Of course one of the big things we are missing in this is the Apple WWDC, and the possible intro of a new iPhone that Chaim wrote about here. So for all of you out there looking to see what new thing Apple has released you may wanna check out Engadget.com on June 9-13 when this all happens. We hope to sometime during those days summarize what went on there during the event. So keep checking back and good luck with all your finals and tests.

Ttyl,

Eli, Chaim, Charlie and Tzvi

To start out, we’re going to introduce some basic computer terms that we’ll be using frequently to describe things on the site. Just as a side note, most computer terms are acronyms:

OS-Operating System: An OS is the main software of the computer. The most common ones are Mac OS X (Tiger and Leopard) and Windows (XP and Vista)

CPU – Central Processing Unit: Effectively the brains of the computer. It is the main processor of the computer meaning that it controls the main functions of the computer.

RAM – Random Access Memory: A non-persistent (doesn’t stay when the computer shuts off) form of memory. Is where the programs are kept when they are open on a computer.

Hard Drive – The main persistent (information stays even when computer is turned off) memory of most computers. This is where everything, from files (music, videos, pictures, documents etc.) to programs (iTunes, AIM, Internet Explorer, Games etc.) are stored.

Hardware: Physical parts of the computer, such as the screen, keyboard, and mouse.

Software: Programs and digital parts of the computer.

Firmware: Software for the hardware, such as the software that allows the CPU to interact with the computer.

Flash Memory: Persistant solid-state memory like hard drives but with no moving parts). This is much more reliable then hard drvies, which have moving parts, but are currently much more expensive (Example: 16 GB (Flash) iPod Touch- $399, 160 GB (Hard Drive) iPod Classic- $350.

iPods Classic and Touch

Here are a couple of terms worth keeping in mind when looking for a new cell phone.

Cell Phone Terms:

GSM and CDMA:  GSM is the cell phone technology that in America is used by ATT and T-Mobile, as well as by a majority of countries around the world.CDMA is the cell phone technology that is used in America by Verizon Wireless, Alltel and Sprint, and it is also used around the world, but not in the same amount as GSM. 

3G for Cell Phones: EV-DO and HSDPA/UMTS:EV-DO is a 3^rd generation technology used by CDMA carriers Sprint and Verizon. EV-DO is used in order to bring in information like music, videos, and internet browsing to cell phones at a faster speed.
HSDPA/ UMTS are the 3^rd generation technologies used by GSM carriers ATT and in the future T-Mobile. HSDPA is a 3.5G technology that brings in information like those mentioned in EV-DO faster than UMTS, which still does it quickly for a cell phone. 

Camera Resolution: Camera Resolution is the amount of pixels used in a picture take by a camera. The resolution name for every 1 million pixels is called megapixel. Most camera phones today use at least 1.3 or 2 megapixel.