CF (CompactFlash)

A type of memory card. Type 1 CF are 3.3mm thick and use flash memory, while Type II cards contain miniature HDDs within their 5mm chassis. CF cards can have high capacities or contain peripherals such as Wi-Fi adapters and GPS.

Core

The part of a processor that performs operations. Dual-core, quad-core and eight-core processors are almost like a number of separate processors working together on a single task – so as long as the software supports them, the more, the better.

DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting)

Free-to-air digital radio transmissions carrying sound, station info and EPGs. Broadcasts use compressed digital audio with quality measured in Kbps.

DECT (Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications)

A digital wireless voice communications standard used commonly for home phones. Good sound quality and range, with the ability to run several handsets.

DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance)

A certification which guarantees that consumer electronics with built-in wired (Ethernet) and wireless (Wi-Fi) networking will work together. DLNA-certified electronics should automatically recognize one another and interact without any problems.

DLP (Digital Light Processing)

A remarkably clever projection technique that bounces light off a microchip covered in millions of tiny mirrors, each controlling the colour of an on-screen pixel. The angle of the mirror determines the projector’s video output.

Dolby Digital

A multi-channel surround sound format used on movie and DVD soundtracks. Normally stores five channels of audio and a subwoofer track (5.1.). Hi-def versions Digital Plus and True HD support more channels and have higher sound quality. They can be found on Blu-ray and discs.

D-pad

The directional control found on console game pads, some mobile phones and PMPs. It’s used to navigate menus and often controls player movements in games.

Drivers

1. In computers, the software that makes hardware devices work.
2. In speakers, the cones that produce sound. Tweeters produce high notes, mid-range drivers produce voices and instrument woofers produce bass.

DRM (Digital Rights Management)

Copy protection as applied to digital music and video. Usage is typically available only to the content purchaser. MP3 does not support, but most other formats do; PlaysForSure is Microsoft’s own DRM.

DTS (Digital Theatre Systems)

A multi-channel surround sound format used on some movie and DVD sountracks – the main rival to Dolby Digital. Hi-def versions DTS-HD and DTS-HD Master Audio can be found on Blu-ray and HD DVD discs. Can be decoded by compatible players and receivers.

DVD-T (Digital Video Broadcasting Terrestrial)

Another name for Freeview.

DVD-R (DVD-Recordable)

The most widely used recordable DVD format. DVD-R discs can be recorded on once and can’t be erased. Other recordable formats include the rewritable DVD-RW, DVD+RW and DVD-RAM.

DVI (Digital Visual Interface)

A high-quality digital connection for DVD players, computers, monitors and flatscreen TVs. Similar to HDMI except that DVI can only transfer the video signal, not sound.

DVR (Digital Video Recorder)

A device that can record digital audio and video content on to an HDD or optical disc. Modern DVRs have multiple TV tuners, allowing you to record more than one channel simultaneously or to watch one while recording another. Freeview Playback-equipped devices are DVRs.

After all, there is more than one fish in the sea and after the commotion that was the iPhone 3G, surely there are other phones out there worthy of our ringgit. Stuff narrows the list down to three but you gotta decide for yourself which is worth your Bali-holiday money.

Sony Ericsson C905

If you thought that the Sony Ericsson K850 was something, with it’s 5 mega pixel camera, you haven’t seen anything yet. SE has announced the first Cybershot slide phone C905 as an “8.1 mega pixel camera with Xenon flash, image stabilizer, face detection and auto focus”. The C905 also boasts integrated GPS navigation and automatically geotagging the pictures taken by the phone. Other standard but important features apply: HSDPA, Wi-Fi, 2GB memory stick and 2.4” scratch resistant display. C905 ships end of this year and if you were on the fence on whether to buy a loved one a camera or mobile phone, I think it’s obvious what you can do now.

Nokia E71

Here at Stuff, the Nokia E61i is our editor’s pick, so it was necessary for us to keep tab on its successor. In others word, hustle and hound Nokia (or write a stern letter in Finnish) until they come out with a successor model. But we didn’t have to watch very closely because the E71 is definitely not going to be swept under the rug amid the new phone announcements. The second you set your eyes on the E71, you’d marvel at its 11mm slimness, the perfect size for a smartphone. The display is slighter smaller at 2.4in compared to its predecessor’s 2.8in but it is still every bit the executive phone for e-mails, office documents over HSDPA and Wi-Fi abilities. It comes with assisted GPS, 3.2 mega pixel camera and a function that switches from work to personal to ensure your vacation is uninterrupted and free of your bosses’ pesky emails.

Samsung Omnia i900

It’s not everyday you get a phone that positions itself as a direct competitor to the iPhone and so we’re guessing the Koreans are humming to the words of ‘We Will Rock You’ since the Omnia has taken the mantle of ‘iPhone-killer’. It’s unclear who gets the trophy but for what it is worth, the Omnia has been receiving rave reviews. Fully touch screen using Samsung’s TouchWiz interface, this 112g unit encompasses an impressive list of features. Namely, Wi-Fi, HSDPA 7.2, 5 mega pixel camera, push emailer, FM tuner and playback capability for a myriad of audio and video formats. Oh yeah, it comes with onboard 8 or 16GB flash memory with expandable memory card slot. Everyone loves the iPhone for it’s fluid and superb interface and seeing how the Omnia is on the Windows Mobile life support, we might need just a wee bit more convincing to anoint it as the winner.