What are Rome? Easily explained
The term "ROM" is associated with both Android smartphones and emulators. You can find out what ROMs are and how you can use them yourself in this practical tip.
Emulators: what are ROMs?
- In relation to game emulators, the term ROM refers to the image of a game from a memory chip. The memory chips are usually the memory plug-in modules (also called cartridges) for GameBoys or other game consoles such as the Nintendo 64.
- The data are read from the memory chips (eg a GameBoy game) using special devices and copied to a file on the computer. This file now represents a digital form of the GameBoy game.
- With the help of special software, not only can the game be digitized, but also played. These programs are called emulators. This means that you can play GameBoy games on the PC with ROMs.
- Downloading ROMs is illegal. You are using a game that is actually subject to a fee without paying for it. However, no individual has been accused of using ROMs.
Android smartphone: what are custom ROMs?
- Smartphones are often referred to as custom ROMs. This is an alternative Android operating system for smartphones such as the Samsung Galaxy, Sony Xperia or the HTC One. The counterpart to the custom ROM is the so-called stock ROM.
- Most smartphone manufacturers use the "Android" operating system for their devices. Custom ROMs are often developed by voluntary groups that change the Android system in many important ways.
- The motivations behind the custom ROMs are different. Many custom ROMs are considered extremely slim, because with a custom ROM you can, for example, remove the preinstalled additional software from Samsung on devices such as the Galaxy S6. Other custom ROMs provide the operating system with even more functions that the normal Android system does not provide.
- In this context, the terms root and flash often fall: When flashing, you install a new ROM on your smartphone.
In the next practical tip, we will show you the advantages and disadvantages of rooting on Android.