EDEXCEL GCSE ICT- unit 1

Personal Digital Devices:

  • mobile phones
  • personal computers
  • cameras and camcorders
  • games consoles
  • home entertainment systems
  • media players
  • navigation aids
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  • Created by: Anisha
  • Created on: 30-05-12 16:38

Mobile phones

Original phones were heavy, expensive and unattractive. Now they are much smaller, more efficient and have lots more functions; they can be desccribed as multifunctional.

  • SMS and MMS
  • Camera
  • Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and Internet
  • MP3 player
  • Touch screen
  • Games and apps
  • 3G
  • Predictive text
  • GPS

Memory cards are used as secondary storage. Memory card size is measured in gigabytes (GB). There are 2 types of memory card:

  • SD- good for storing photos
  • SDHC- good for storing video files
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Mobile phones contd...

GPS (Global Positioning System)

Satellited orbit the earth and transmit signals. GPS receivers take the signal information and use it to calculate the user's exact geographic location. Most mobile phones have GPS receivers. Camcorders and digital cameras also use them for GPS tagging. Some cars also have sat navs installed that can be programmed to find a destination.

GPS Tagging (or Geotagging)

Smartphones now have the ability to "tag" a photo or video by adding GPS information to it. The process involves marking a video or photo with location data (metadata). The data usually has latitude and longitude coordinates. This can help people find images and information based on location and can also be used to create location-based news. GPS is useful for making digital holiday photo albums so the user knows where an image/video was taken.

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Mobile phones contd...

Network Bands

Dual Band- picks up 2 frequencies

Tri Band- picks up 3 frequencies

Quad Band- picks up 4

GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications)

Mobile phones operate on frequency bands. You would need a tr-band phone if travelling to North America. A quad-band device will work anywhere in the world where there is GSM service.

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Personal computers

Types of Computer

Desktop Computer- heavy as it's designed to stay in one place. Good for an office envrionment.

Laptop & Notebook- portable and can be carried around in a bag. Good for business users or students.

Netbook- smaller than laptop and used for browsing the Internet wirelessly. Lower specification therefore more limited use.

PDA (Personal Digital Assistant)- mobile device. Most have touch screens, virtual keyboards and handwriting recognition software. Its software is compatible with computers- so data can be downloaded onto the computer.

Tablet PC-  small computer that has the main features of a normal PC. It has a touch screen and can be used to browse the Internet wirelessly, send emails, film video etc. They are very light and extremely portable.

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Personal computers contd...

Parts of a Computer

CPU (Central Processing Unit)- processes calculations. The speed is measured in GHz (Gigahertz).

Hard Drive- main storage. Software and data are stored on the computer's hard drive. The bigger the hard drive size, the more data you can store. Hard drive is usually measured in gigabytes.

Memory- runs applications- RAM (Random Access Memory). This type of memory is temporary (volatile) and data can be lost if the computer fails or switches off without saving.

CD or DVD Drive-  installs applications, listen to music CDs or watch pre-recorded movies on DVD. You can also "burn" data on it.

USB Ports- plug storage and other devices into the computer

Wireless- connect to the Internet or send data without cables. The signal may not be strong enough whereas a cable has a stronger, more stable signal.

Graphics Card-  allows the system to display high quality images, videos or games.

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Personal computers contd...

Peripherals

These are items of hardware that can be connected to the main computer. Here are a few examples:

  • Mouse
  • Laser printer
  • Scanner
  • Digital Camera
  • Keyboard

There are 3 types of peripheral:

  • Input devices- allow the user to enter data into the computer
  • Output deivces- allow the user to view, hear or print processed dara
  • Storage devices-  allow the user to store data so it can be used again

Always look at the BATTERY LIFE, RAM, STORAGE and PROCESSOR SPEED when buying a new computer. If you choose a higher specification then you won't need to upgrade your computer as quickly (future proofing).

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Cameras and camcorders

Camcorders

  • Can shoot in normal mode or HD
  • Optical or Digital zoom
  • Image stabiliser mode (no shake)
  • LCD screen- viewfinder for playback
  • Own internal hard drive or memory cards
  • Night vision
  • Connectivity- download straight to PC
  • Lightweight and portable
  • Can take still images
  • GPS tagging (shows the location of video)
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Cameras and camcorders contd...

Cameras

  • Take still images
  • Takes video
  • Some have an LCD viewing panel
  • Some have GPS built in
  • Some let you edit images using the camera
  • Most have a zoom feature
  • Connectivity- download straight to PC
  • Stores images on a memory card
  • Compact cameras- very small and lightweight
  • DSLR cameras- bigger but have more features and settings
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Games consoles

A games console is an interactive games computer. Computer games can be played on:

·         Standard games console- larger, not portable

·         Hand-held console- smaller, portable e.g. Nintendo DS

·         Computer- online or offline gaming

·         Hands-free console- uses a sensor system to detect movement

If you wanted to play computer games then you might need to decide whether to buy a console or a laptop.

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Games consoles

Laptop:

·         Portable

·         More flexibility (can be used for other tasks e.g. typing documents)

·         Screens have higher resolution so better picture

·         Can upgrade them

·         Can use the Internet for online gaming- multiplayer

Console:

·         Allows multiplayer (but only on the same device)

·         Easy to use and set up

·         Less expensive

·         Not portable

·         Cannot upgrade

Using a hand-held console or controller too much can lead to health and safety risks such as RSI (Repetitive Strain Injury). Tendons in the wrist and arm are strained through over use.

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Home Entertainment Systems

DVD Player:

·         Plays DVD discs

·         Most have to be connected to a TV

·         Some are smaller, portable devices which have an LCS screen and speakers

·         Portable ones can be used when travelling

Blu-Ray Disc:

·         Bigger storage capacity than a DVD disc

·         Was invented to allow the recording, rewriting and playback of HD video

·         Offers more than 5 times the storage capacity of DVDs

Home Theatre PC:

·         High spec PC with Media Centre software

·         Lots of storage for video and music files

HDTV:

·         High Definition TV

·         Clear pictures with vivid colours and up to 5 times more detail than standard definition

·          More and more programmes are being made in HD

·         Most new plat-screen TVs (LCD and plasma) are able to show HD programmes

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Comments

hotpotato12

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absolutly fantastic - thank you very much!

Maryam

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Thats very useful... but is it the whole of unit one ict? or just a part of it?

hope u answer my question

Thank You.

? Secret - Team GR

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Wow - very useful and helpful indeed !!! thank you :)

TTSADW

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Thank You! Everything I needed!!!!

badman raj

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this is very usefull thanx a lot plz

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