American english word for mobile phones

This article is a summary of vocabulary I have taught on the topic of smart phones. [Updated May 2020 with new vocabulary]

A mobile phone a telephone with access to a cellular network  (3G, 4G, 5G) system so it can be used over a wide area, without a physical connection to a network.   Before mobile phones there were land-line phones. In Australia we call it a “mobile” and in America they call them cell-phones.

A smart phone is a mobile phone that performs many of the functions of a computer, typically having a touchscreen interface, Internet access, camera, and an operating system capable of running downloaded apps (programs downloaded from the Apple iStore or Google Play). A user needs to find a service provider and a plan of which there are many kinds – prepaid, SIM Only, or a monthly plan. Often there is a contract which includes the purchase of the phone. When you get a new phone check if it is locked (meaning it can only be used with one cellular network or provider) or unlocked meaning you can change phone companies after your contract expires.

The main service providers in Australia are Telstra, Optus, Virgin and  Vodaphone . Do you use another provider? Let me know in the comments.

What do you call smart phone in other languages?   keita-denwa (Japanese),  handphone 핸드폰 Handeupon  (Korean),  teléfono móvil (Spanish),  cellular (Portuguese).

Here is some introductory vocabulary from a YouTube video.

• Power Button (to turn on and off)
• Home Button  (used to unlock)
• Volume Controls – Up and Down
• Sound Off Switch
• Settings
• WiFi – wireless networking
• Bluetooth – for wireless connection to other devices nearby such as headphones.
• Cellular Data – accessing the Internet over the mobile network
• Keyboards (English, Emoji, Japanese, Chinese, Thai, etc….), Shift, Cap Locks
• Icons – colourful symbols representing apps
• Vibrate – a quieter way of being alerted to a call or message notifications
• Flight mode – turn off mobile data and wifi connection so the phone stops transmitting and receiving signal.
• Home screen – what you see when you unlock your phone
• Ring Tone, Alert Tone ….  the different sounds used to alert the user of an event.

Actions

There are many actions you can do with a phone. Some of these are phrasal verbs (verb + preposition).

• Tap an icon
• Double tap
• swipe left
• swipe right
• scroll up
• scroll down
• turn on
• turn off
• turn up, turn down (the volume or brightness)
• plug in your earphones or charger

Some more actions:

• Send a message (text)
• Read a message, text, post, article, etc…
• Reply to a message
• Browse Facebook or Instagram
• Post a photo to Instagram or Facebook.
• Take a photo – a photo of yourself is a selfie.
• Edit a photo
• Make a call
• Choose  a ringtone
• Answer a call

Text and Message are now used as verbs as well as nouns): I will text you when I get home.  Message me when you get to work.   Text is also a shortened form of text message: Send me a text.

Social Media

Social Media is the collection of online communications technology that allows users to publish, share and comment on photos and content.    There are many popular social media (Social Networking Service) apps in use today.

• Facebook
• Instagram
• SnapChat
• Twitter
• LinkedIn
• TikTok (for making videos)

Is there another Social Media platform you use?

Messaging

Messaging is the ability to exchange messages with other people – either one to one messaging or  to a group of people. As well as exchanging text you can record voice clips, send photos or videos, send your location.

• Text Message – SMS (Short Message Service).
• Messages sent between The iPhone messages show in blue
• Whatsapp – popular in Australia and South America
• iMessage (blue messages) – messages sent between iPhones appear in blue
• Instagram has a messenging feature
• Facetime – video call
• Line – popular in Japan, Thailand and Indonesia
• Kakaotalk – popular in Korea
• Facebook  Messenger
• Viber – I dont know you uses this?

Problems

Smartphone zombies – people walking with heads bowed while they use their phones

Smartphone addiction – an unhealthy attachment to using your phone.

nomo phobia – fear (phobia)  of being separated from your phone.  No mobile!

phubbing – phone-snubbing – ignoring talking to your friend by using your phone

selficide – killing yourself by doing stupid dangerous things to take a selfie. Read this article – over 250 people have died.

talk and text  – not watching where you are walking can lead to accidents. Watch this video:

A short film about cell phone addiction.

More Information:

https://www.englishclub.com/speaking/telephone-vocabulary.htm

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_networking_service

https://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/social-media

What’s The Difference Between iMessage and Text Messages on iPhone?