Android Terminology

Apps

Applications, or executable programs that run under the Android OS. Apps is simply an abbreviation for the plural of Applications. App would refer to a single application.

App Drawer

The app drawer is the location for all of your apps. It is accessible from the home screen and is usually located in the bottom row of icons. The app drawer holds all of the applications that your phone came with and the ones that you have since downloaded from the Android Market. If you are ever looking for an App and can’t find an icon for it on your Home Screen then you can just click the App Drawer. If you long press an app icon in the app drawer you will have the option to copy that icon to your desktop.

Custom ROM

The Custom ROM is a ROM derived from the Stock ROM, which has been hacked as in modified for some purpose, such as to be more fast and efficient. Custom ROM images may be described as updated "nightly" for the ROM that is still trial or early alpha stage, "RC (Release Candidate)" for the most stable ROM, as well as "stable" for the ROM which is considered to be almost the same stability when compared to parent ROM (Stock ROM). You typically need to have root access to the Android before you can apply a custom ROM.

Dock

The bottom bar of icons that are part of the launcher.

Firmware

See "Stock ROM" and "Custom ROM." When people say they're flashing a new ROM, it means they are flashing a new version of the firmware on to their phone.

Launcher

The Launcher is part of the UI (User Interface) and it controls your home screen, app drawer and launches apps. The Launcher is what lets you customize your home screen, make phone calls, and perform other tasks. Launcher is built into Android, however there are a number of alternative Launchers available for download in the Android Market. You do not need to have root privilege to install an alternative launcher.

OTA (Over the Air)

OTA in the Android world often refers to updates pushed to your phone from your provider, over the air, such as firmware updates. These happen without you having to manually download and install anything. OTA more generally refers to services that can be accessed on a phone without the need for a USB cable or a local Bluetooth connection. Providers like Verizon allow backups of your contacts, and other data OTA to their servers, which sometimes is described as a "cloud."

Root

Root is an access level that gives you full control over your Android device. The manufacturers and your carrier typically do not wish for you to have root access. With root access you can remove unwanted apps that your carrier force onto your device, which will save memory and make your Android run faster. Furthermore, with root access you can do much harm, even render your Android device completely useless. Root access, accomplished by "rooting your Android, also known as jail breaking, or hacking" gives you the equivalent to root system level access on a UNIX system, or System Administrator privilege on a Microsoft Windows system.

SBF (System Boot File)

SBF or SBF File refers to System Boot File. A SBF is an image which restores the phone to its default, "straight from the factory" state in terms of software. To load the SBF to the phone use a flash program such as RSDLite, which is ran on a PC, after the PC has the appropriate drivers installed. Sometimes SBF is used as a verb, describing the process of using a flash program to restore the System Boot File to an Android device. So SBF'ing is the process where you connect your phone tho a computer while the device is in bootloader mode, and push a .sbf file to it with an SDK program such as RSD Lite.

Stock ROM

The original factory firmware for your phone. This is the ROM created by the manufacturer.

Widgets

Widgets are apps that you place on your Home Screen. They run without you having to click on them. Widget examples include a desktop screen event calendar, clock, or message notification list.