Home  ›  Glossary  ›

ROM

Read-Only Memory

In the mobile technology industry, the term "ROM" is often used to refer to flash memory. This is not technically accurate, but it is relatively common.

See: Flash Memory

Strictly speaking, ROM means memory that is read-only, meaning data stored in it cannot be changed, or can only be changed via a special, slow process that is not designed to be used frequently.

Software stored in ROM is often called "firmware", because it is not as easily updated as other software, so it is, in a way, "in-between" software and hardware.

Last updated Mar 24, 2021 by Rich Brome

Editor in Chief Rich became fascinated with cell phones in 1999, creating mobile web sites for phones with tiny black-and-white displays and obsessing over new phone models. Realizing a need for better info about phones, he started Phone Scoop in 2001, and has been helming the site ever since. Rich has spent two decades researching and covering every detail of the phone industry, traveling the world to tour factories, interview CEOs, and get every last spec and photo Phone Scoop readers have come to expect. As an industry veteran, Rich is a respected voice on phone technology of the past, present, and future.

Still confused? Spot a mistake? Give us your feedback on this definition.

back to Glossary Index

Subscribe to Phone Scoop News with RSS Follow @phonescoop on Threads Follow @phonescoop on Mastodon Phone Scoop on Facebook Follow on Instagram

 

Playwire

All content Copyright 2001-2024 Phone Factor, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Content on this site may not be copied or republished without formal permission.