Geek Talk

Shopping for computers and other high-tech products has always been a challenge, partly because the manufacturers and retailers erect a tower of techno-babble terminology to confuse you into spending more money, and to make poorly trained salespeople who merely memorize jargon seem smart.

This year, that tower of babble is higher than ever, as new terms have come into being, and old ones have come to the fore. So, here’s a quick glossary of some of the current techno terms you may encounter when shopping for a computer, television, digital camera or cellphone this holiday season.

Learn the new terms at Personal Technology from The Wall Street Journal.