What is a device - how does a device differ from a gadget, examples of devices

Updated September 24: 101,941 Author: Dmitry Petrov
Hello, dear readers of the KtoNaNovenkogo.ru blog. In the circle where I communicate, the terms device and gadget are often used, but the speaker does not always realize that these concepts are somewhat different and not synonymous. Moreover, often what should be called a device is called a gadget and vice versa. In this small publication, I decided to dot all the i's so that no doubts would arise.

The confusion most likely stems from the fact that these terms were borrowed from English and were used by many along with “wow” to emphasize their involvement in the world of technological progress and to show their advancedness in this matter. That’s why I want to define what a gadget is and what a device is in their original understanding, as well as define the fine line of difference in these concepts.

Content

• 1 Definitions 1.1 What is a gadget
• 1.2 What is a device

Many people consider terms such as “device” and “gadget” to be synonymous. They are used everywhere, but not always correctly. To understand why it is incorrect to confuse these words, you should begin to study the terminology and all the nuances of this issue.

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Definitions

Gadgets and devices have different meanings from each other, despite the fact that they are often used in similar contexts. Both of these terms are borrowed from the English language and mean objects designed to make a person's daily life easier.

What is a gadget

A gadget (English gadget – device, contraption) is a compact auxiliary device created to solve a limited range of problems. Programmers use the word "gadgets" to refer to small applications, such as programs for announcing news or broadcasting weather forecasts.

What is a device

A device (English device – device, instrument) is a multifunctional device that can be used in many areas of a person’s social and professional life.

Such devices can work autonomously, and their versatility surpasses gadgets. It is noteworthy that in English the word “devices” has a broader meaning than in Russian, and this is due to the origin of the term. At the same time, instead of “device”, people often write “device” - this is a spelling error.

Device Management Edit

Device contents

Connected devices show up at the bottom of the Navigator, where you can access their settings in the main panel and browse their contents like any other part of the library. Each device can be expanded to show its own simplified version of the Navigator.

Device content can be managed in these ways:

• Synchronize according to By right clicking on the device in the Navigator
• Using File > Synchronize Device…
• By turning on “automatically synchronize when the device is connected”

How to distinguish a device from a gadget

A person who uses both terms described in the article will be surprised to learn that his house is literally filled with all kinds of devices and gadgets. The development of technology greatly simplifies life, since many tasks are smoothly transferred to various devices.

In order not to get confused in terms, you need to familiarize yourself with the main differences between gadgets and devices:

• In most cases, devices are independent devices with an independent power source and charger.
• Gadgets are not able to work without connecting to other devices.
• The devices are multitasking, and their functionality is distinguished by the presence of widgets and various features.
• Device is a term that defines not only digital devices, but also ordinary objects.

For example, you can use your smartphone to listen to music, send messages to other people, visit websites and watch movies. Gadgets are manufactured to fulfill a specific purpose and therefore can be used strictly for their intended purpose. For example, a person will not be able to use a portable microphone to listen to music.

Objects can also be distinguished by the seriousness of their purpose.

Devices are devices that can solve serious problems, including in the professional sphere. Moreover, gadgets, in most cases, are accessories or entertainment devices. A pen with a built-in laser pointer or a flash drive cannot be called multifunctional, since their capabilities are very limited. A smart watch, in turn, is a device, since in addition to its main function, it can be used to pay for goods in a store, communicate via cell phone, or count your own steps.

What is a computer device

A modern computer is a rather complex device. True, thanks to open architecture and design solutions, modern computers are perceived almost as simple construction kits for teenagers and adults.

Any more or less trained computer user has seen an open and even disassembled computer system unit at least once in his life. It houses the main motherboard, on which other boards are mounted, and to which other computer devices are connected.

Despite its apparent simplicity, not every country in the world has an industry capable of producing individual blocks for assembling computers - their production technologies can be so complex.

However, externally the computer device does not look too complicated. Memory chips are installed on the motherboard, and blocks made in the form of printed circuit boards are inserted into its expansion slots. And everything else is connected to the motherboard connectors, from the wires coming from the power supply to cables for connecting a hard drive, optical drive, input/output ports, and more.

All this is placed inside the system unit, to which a monitor, mouse, keyboard and other input/output devices are then connected.

Thus, the device of a computer is all its individual blocks and systems assembled together. Moreover, they are assembled so that the computer works, and not only serves as a visual, but not working, guide to how to build a computer.

Examples of gadgets and devices

In order for a device to be called a device, as was said earlier, it must be multifunctional. Compactness is another feature of such devices, and therefore the following products can be considered among them:

• laptop (English notebook - notepad) is a portable computer that has the same functions as stationary models. Popularly, such a product is called a “laptop”.
• A video camera is a device designed for shooting video and taking photographs.
• A game console is a device with which you can play video games. Such set-top boxes can be used to watch movies and access the Internet.
• A multicooker is a device that allows you to prepare various dishes.

Gadgets can be chargers, external batteries, stands for smartphones, portable music speakers and e-books. By the way, to understand the difference between a device and a gadget, you can use a little trick. To do this, you need to ask yourself 2 questions:

• “What can a smartphone, laptop or food processor do?” The list of functions of the listed devices can be large, and this is the main feature of the device.
• “What can you do with an MP4 player?” If using a player you can only listen to music and play videos, it is a gadget because it cannot boast of multitasking.

In general, the two terms described are strongly intertwined with each other. Moreover, gadgets often complement devices, expanding their capabilities.

What is an input device

An input device is designed to enter information. It can be used to enter information and various data into a computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone.

Input devices are peripheral equipment that are used to input data or signals into a computer or other electronic device.

Once upon a time, information was entered from punched cards and punched tapes. Nowadays, the main input devices include the keyboard and mouse.

The main component in a computer is its processor. It is the fastest among all the other “stuffing” of the computer. But what's the use of a processor if all it can do is add numbers, subtract them, multiply, divide, and do a little more manipulation with numbers. Where do you get these numbers, where should they get into the processor?

Some other, also fast device must work with a fast processor. Otherwise, the processor will be idle waiting for a slow device. Therefore, the processor mainly takes numbers for processing from RAM. This circumstance does not explain the main question: where does the data come from for processing in the processor.

In fact, the processor, RAM and other computer blocks are all, without exception, connected to the computer’s common bus. It is to this bus that external information input devices are connected. From these external devices, information finally gets to the computer for processing.

Primary input devices: keyboard and mouse

Text information enters the computer from the keyboard. You press the keys on the keyboard, and the signals from it are sent through the common bus to the memory, then to the processor. In this simple way you can describe data entry in a highly simplified form.

A computer mouse is also a device for working with letters, numbers and graphics. With the mouse you can select, mark, cut, paste texts, pictures, their fragments, etc. Thus, the mouse is an information input device.

Sometimes “in the classics” a computer mouse is called a pointing device. There is some truth to this, although such a classification can only confuse. So, the mouse is an information input device. At the same time, it “points” to this or that information so that later something can be done with it in the computer.

Laptops usually have a built-in mouse called a touchpad.

Other input devices

Input information can be graphic - drawings, photographs. They can get into the computer from a (digital) camera, which can easily connect to the computer through its ports, for example, via USB.

Graphic information can be accessed using SD or micro-SD memory cards. Let's say a camera or smartphone writes its graphic files to a memory card, then the card is removed from the device and inserted into a special connector on the computer. Now the memory card has become an information input device for the computer.

Graphic data can be entered into a computer using a scanner. You put a picture or text into the scanner, it scans it, turns it into a graphic file, and sends it to the computer via an input/output port, for example, via USB.

The computer can “receive” sounds from outside. For example, using a microphone. This is also an information input device. A video camera may be equipped with a microphone - and this is also an audio input device.

Sounds can be recorded to a computer and from an iPOD, from a smartphone or iPhone - these devices will also be considered audio input devices. There are also radio receivers for computers; they will also serve as audio input devices.

Video information is read by a computer from TV tuners - these are television signal receivers. You can shoot video with a video camera. She writes both sound and image. This means that these devices are video input devices.

Are there many other external devices that supply information to the computer? Any game consoles, steering wheels, helmets, glasses, pistols and other gadgets. “Touchscreens” are screens that allow you to touch them with your fingers. That is, fingers through such a touch screen allow you to enter information into the computer. Of course, it is not the fingers that will be the input device, but the touch-sensitive screen. It’s impossible to list everything.

Any device that can enter information into a computer is an information input device.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it is worth noting that, despite the similarity of the terms, in everyday life they should be distinguished.

It would be much easier if people called things with more understandable words, for example, a mobile phone - a mobile phone, but the words “device” and “gadget” allow you to group different devices that have similar capabilities.

Many ordinary people believe that there is no difference between these terms, and there is no point in entering into disputes related to this issue. Technologies are constantly evolving, and it is likely that devices will soon appear that will blur the line between devices and gadgets.

Why are they really needed?

The question is not nearly as simple as it seems. It would seem that the role of such devices should be purely utilitarian, limited to the specific range of tasks for which they are actually purchased.

The phone must be used to make calls, the navigator must get directions, the mp3 player must play music, and so on. And do it as efficiently as possible. That's all. But this is only at first glance.

In modern society, the social component is increasingly coming to the fore.

For example, living conditions, which in our time are the lot of the marginalized and losers, causing a feeling of deep dissatisfaction, a hundred years ago would have seemed almost a dream even to the poorest representatives of the middle class - only because the majority have much better conditions.

Such people feel inferior precisely in comparison, because of their low status, while there are no real material needs.

So, many gadgets are a product of this very social component, since they serve as one of the symbols of social status.

Very, very many people choose, for example, a smartphone solely as an indicator of their “coolness”, and consider all its many functions in the spirit of: “well, after all, you can still make calls on it.”

Development

Such new devices appear in the world with enviable regularity, and each subsequent one gives more and more pleasure to its owner, since the language of communication between the device and the person is simplified. Many users confuse this concept with the term “gadget”. Despite the similar meaning, initially there is a difference.

In addition, the devices are referred to as gaming devices. For example, among them are gamepads, steering wheels and joysticks. Simply put, everything that is used to control computer games.

Opinions about the appearance of the word

Where this word came from in our everyday life is a complex and controversial question.

Most likely, this word came from the French “gâche”, more precisely from its diminutive form “gâchette”, which means “bracket” or “collar”.

Probably, once upon a time, a bracket or clamp could greatly help a person and make his work easier.

Or, corresponding to our time, “gagée”, which also sounds like “small accessory” in French.

There are supporters who believe that the word is of English origin. So “gadget” is translated from this language as “thing, device.”

In Scotland the word was used in engineering jargon. Therefore, they believe that the origin of the word is Scottish.

But still, a large mass of scientists and researchers are inclined to French roots.

One more meaning

What the word we are considering means should now be clear.

But, since you often have to work on the Internet (after all, in general, my blog is dedicated to making money on the Internet, remember this, right?), come across various programs and computer terms, you will probably come across a different meaning of the word gadget.

In the circles of computer scientists and programmers, this word can mean a certain program or application. The most common gadget in this case is the weather application.

I'm sure almost everyone actively uses it. After all, it’s easier when there’s no need to wait for the weather forecast on the news, or Google it yourself on the Internet.

Just a couple of clicks and the forecast for the day, week, month is in front of you. As for the reliability of the forecasts, that is another question.

But there is definitely a place for such a gadget, and it occupies a popular place among numerous smartphone owners.

So that you are not surprised, I will also add that in the world of software you can also find the word widget, which carries the same meaning.

Examples of using the term

You don’t need to be a regular on the Habrahabr website to understand and use Internet slang. In prosaic everyday life, an unadvanced user has probably heard phrases like:

• To properly use the capabilities of this device, you need to carefully read the instructions.
• The day before yesterday I bought myself a cool device – Samsung Galaxy Watch Active Silver (SM-R500NZSASEK).
• I want to ask my parents for a device for my birthday, I’m leaning towards a tablet or gaming laptop.

Android for dummies No. 13. Android Device Manager: what to do if you lost your smartphone?

Pavel Krizhepolsky

I think almost every person has at least a couple of times found himself in a situation where he couldn’t remember where he put his smartphone. Usually, the solution to this situation is very simple - you just need to call it from any other phone. But what to do if your lost smartphone is in silent mode?

This is exactly the story that happened to me just the other day. I urgently needed to finish one important task, which is why I sat at the computer until three o’clock in the morning. From time to time I corresponded with colleagues by mail and Skype and, in order not to wake up my family with constant messages about new letters, I turned off the sound on my smartphone. Having finished with my work, I went to bed without turning on the sound on my smartphone. And in the morning I realized that I couldn’t remember where I had taken him.

This is where the Android Device Manager service from Google, with which I was practically unfamiliar before, came to the rescue.

Android Device Manager

Like all other Google services, Android Device Manager has a convenient web interface. It is located at https://www.google.com/android/devicemanager

There is no need to register separately; to log in, you just need to enter your Google account username and password.

Google will immediately try to contact your device and display its location on the map. If you were unable to find your phone on the first try, a little later you can try to start the search manually by clicking on the “Location” icon.

If you are the owner of several Android devices, then you can select the desired device by clicking on the gray arrow. And in order to avoid confusion with the names of smartphones in the future, it is better to immediately change them to options that are more understandable to you. For example, “Main”, “Work” or “Family tablet”.

So, thanks to Android Device Manager, I found out that my phone is somewhere in the apartment. But, as you understand, this did not make my task much easier. I didn’t really doubt that the phone couldn’t escape from the house on its own.

The situation was saved by a button labeled “Call.” When you press it, the selected smartphone will ring at maximum volume even if it is in silent mode. The duration of the call is 5 minutes. You can turn it off earlier by pressing the phone's power key.

In my case, the search for a phone ended successfully. But what should those who forgot their smartphone in a minibus or cafe do?

It is for such cases that Android Device Manager allows you to remotely lock your smartphone screen or delete all personal data from it. There is only one point - you need to enable these functions on your smartphone in advance. This is not difficult to do. Just click on the “Configure data blocking and deletion” button, and then select the “Submit” option.

A special icon should appear in the notification panel of your smartphone, after clicking on it the settings menu will open. All that remains is to click on the “Activate” button and make sure that both checkboxes are checked.

Now in Android Device Manager, next to the “Call” button, two additional buttons have appeared – “Block” and “Clear”.

The “Lock” button allows you to remotely lock your smartphone screen by setting a digital password on it. In addition, you can enter an additional message that will be displayed on the phone screen, and enter a number that you can call even without unlocking the device.

Using the "Clear" button, you can completely delete all data from your phone. After that, it will return to the state in which you first took it out of the box.

To remotely control your smartphone, Google allows you to use not only the Android Device Manager web interface, but also a special application. I won’t go into detail about it; in fact, it is no different from the web interface.

Results

Android Device Manager is a simple but very useful tool that could one day save you a lot of time, money and effort. Every owner of an Android smartphone should remember its presence. Of course, in the event of theft, the chances of successfully returning the phone are not very high in any case. Although there were such cases too. Murtazin wrote about one of the Eldars not long ago in “Spillkins”.

But even in this case, you will be able to lock the phone screen or delete all personal data from it, which can save you from many additional problems. For example, from calls from your number to friends and colleagues, asking them to transfer money to an account, or from hacking an account on a social network.

But if you lose your phone, the chances of getting it back will increase significantly. Firstly, you can quickly find out where exactly you forgot it. Secondly, it’s a shame to block the screen by writing a message about the reward for the finder and indicating a contact phone number. This will make it easier to help you, and there will be less temptation to keep the phone.

It is also worth noting that some Android smartphone manufacturers offer similar services for their devices, often with broader capabilities. For example, you can find a review of the Samsung Dive branded service from Samsung using the link below.

In addition, there are many programs on Google Play with similar functions. As an example, I’ll give the Norton Mobile Security service, a review of which is also available on our website.

Whatever service and program you choose, remember that in any case you need to think about the possible loss or theft of your smartphone in advance. You will not be able to lock the screen of a lost phone or delete confidential data from it if you have not activated these features in its settings. Moreover, you won’t be able to use any third-party application if you haven’t installed it on your phone in advance.

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