Technology

Pidgin (software) — a multi‑protocol instant messaging client Pidgin (software) Pidgin is a free, cross‑platform instant messaging client that connects to many chat networks at once. It is extensible via plugins and is built on the libpurple library.

Pin (fastener) Pin A pin is a small pointed fastener used to join, secure, or mark materials. This article covers common types, construction, history, uses, safety, and differences from related faste…

Pincer (hand tool) Pincer Pincers are hand tools that concentrate force at a jaw or edge to pinch, cut or pull objects. Used in carpentry, metalwork and removal tasks, they differ from pliers by their end-c…

Pinhole Camera: Principles, Construction, History, and Uses Pinhole camera A pinhole camera forms images through a tiny aperture instead of a lens. This article covers how it works, design and materials, practical tips, historical background, safety, and…

Pioneer plaque An overview of the Pioneer plaques: their design, creators, purpose as an interstellar message, history aboard Pioneer 10 and 11, and their cultural and scientific legacy.

Pitfall! — 1982 platform game by Activision Pitfall! Pitfall! is a 1982 platform video game by Activision. Players control Pitfall Harry to recover 32 treasures in 20 minutes while avoiding jungle hazards. A best-seller on the Atari…

Pixel (picture element): definition, structure, color, history, and uses Pixel A pixel is the smallest addressable element in a digital image or display. This article explains what pixels are, how they encode color, their history, roles in displays and sensor…

Google Pixel 3: overview, design, camera and legacy Pixel 3 The Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL are Google’s 2018 flagship Android phones, noted for camera software, clean software experience and AI features; succeeded by midrange Pixel 3a variants.

Pixels per inch (PPI): definition, calculation, and practical importance Pixels per inch Pixels per inch (PPI) measures pixel density on displays and images. This article explains how PPI is calculated, how it differs from DPI, its effects on perceived sharpness, and p…

Plan 9 from Bell Labs Plan 9 from Bell Labs is a research operating system released as free software. It treats system resources as files via the 9P protocol, supports per-process namespaces, and includ…

Plastic wrap (cling film): materials, uses, history and environmental issues Plastic wrap Thin, flexible plastic film used to cover and preserve food. Covers composition, performance, history, common uses, health and environmental concerns, and alternatives.

Plate reader (microplate reader) Plate reader A plate reader is a laboratory instrument that measures optical, fluorescent, luminescent and other signals from samples arrayed in microtiter plates to quantify biological, chemic…

Platform Overview of the term “platform”: physical structures and stages, political programmes, computing and software foundations, business models, geological formations, and other common…

Platinum Range (PlayStation budget re-release label) Platinum Range Platinum Range is Sony's budget re-release programme for popular PlayStation titles in PAL territories, reissuing best-selling games across PlayStation platforms at reduced prices.

PlayStation (PS1) — Sony's first home video game console and its legacy PlayStation The PlayStation (PS1) is Sony's 1994 home video game console that popularized CD-based games, 3D graphics, influential franchises and spawned a large hardware and software legacy.

PlayStation 2 (PS2) PlayStation 2 Sony's PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation home video game console released in 2000. Noted for broad software support, backward compatibility and strong sales, it remained commerci…

PlayStation 3 (PS3): overview, hardware, models and legacy PlayStation 3 The PlayStation 3 is Sony’s third home game console, launched in 2006. This article summarizes its history, hardware, major models, services, backward compatibility and its influen…

PlayStation 4 (PS4): Overview, Hardware, Software, and Legacy PlayStation 4 The PlayStation 4 (PS4) is Sony's fourth-generation home video game console, known for its powerful hardware, DualShock 4 controller, extensive game library and online services lik…

PlayStation 5 (PS5): Sony's fifth-generation home video game console PlayStation 5 The PlayStation 5 (PS5) is Sony’s fifth-generation home console, released in late 2020. Notable for a high-speed SSD, the DualSense controller, broad PS4 compatibility, two hardwar…

PlayStation Eye (PlayStation 3 camera peripheral) PlayStation Eye A USB camera and microphone accessory for the PlayStation 3 introduced by Sony in 2007, used for motion tracking with PlayStation Move, video chat, voice input and camera-enabled g…

PlayStation Move PlayStation Move is Sony’s motion-sensing controller system for PlayStation consoles that combines a lighted wand, inertial sensors and camera tracking for motion and VR interactio…

PlayStation Network Sony’s online service for PlayStation consoles providing accounts, multiplayer, a digital storefront, subscriptions, social features and cloud services across PlayStation devices.

PlayStation Portable (PSP): Sony’s first disc-based handheld console PlayStation Portable Overview of the PlayStation Portable (PSP), its hardware and media, release history, common models, software capabilities, and its legacy in handheld gaming.

PlayStation Portable system software (PSP firmware) PlayStation Portable system software Overview of the PlayStation Portable system software, its components, update process, history, uses, and common issues including update precautions and risks such as bricking.

PlayStation Vita (PS Vita) PlayStation Vita Sony's PlayStation Vita is a handheld gaming system introduced in 2011–2012 that combined console-quality games, touch controls, and PlayStation Network connectivity for portable p…

Plow (Plough): Function, History, and Agricultural Role Plow A plow is a soil-working implement used to cut, lift and turn over soil for cultivation. Originally drawn by humans and animals, modern plows are typically tractor-mounted and rema…

Plug and Play (computing) Plug and play Plug and play describes systems that let an operating system detect, configure and use hardware peripherals automatically, minimizing manual driver installation and setup.

Pocket watch: history, design, and cultural significance Pocket watch A pocket watch is a portable mechanical timepiece carried in a pocket. This article explains its design, movement types, history, cultural role, and why collectors and makers still…

Pocking Solar Park — 10 MWp photovoltaic park in Lower Bavaria Pocking Solar Park in Germany A 10 MWp ground-mounted photovoltaic park near Pocking, Lower Bavaria, built 2005–2006 on a former military training area. About 57,912 modules, grid-connected and noted for sheep…

Pointer (computer programming) A pointer is a variable that stores a memory address. This article explains what pointers are, how they work, their history, common uses, safety issues, and how they differ from re…

Pokémon Black 2 and White 2 Direct sequels to Pokémon Black and White for the Nintendo DS, released in 2012. Enhanced Unova story, new features and post‑game content, version exclusives and expanded multiplay…

Pokémon Black and White (Nintendo DS) Pokémon Black and White Fifth-generation role‑playing games for the Nintendo DS by Game Freak. Introduced the Unova region, 156 new Pokémon, new battle formats and online features; noted for a story-drive…

Pokémon Go: location-based augmented reality mobile game Pokémon Go Pokémon Go is a location-based, augmented-reality mobile game developed by Niantic and licensed by The Pokémon Company. It uses GPS and cameras to bring Pokémon into the real world…

Pokémon Pinball (Game Boy Color pinball video game) Pokémon Pinball Pokémon Pinball is a pinball-style video game for the Game Boy Color that blends classic pinball mechanics with Pokémon capture and a built-in rumble feature; it inspired a later G…

Pokémon Puzzle Challenge A Game Boy Color puzzle game that adapts the Panel de Pon/Tetris Attack style with Pokémon Gold and Silver characters; released 2000–2001 and noted for addictive matching gameplay…

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) Polyethylene terephtalate Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is a widely used thermoplastic polyester resin, common in fibers, beverage and food containers, films and engineering plastics; notable for strengt…

Polymer banknote Banknotes printed on polymer (plastic) film rather than paper. Durable, water-resistant and harder to counterfeit, polymer notes were first introduced in Australia and are now used…

Polymorphic code Code that modifies its own appearance while preserving behavior, commonly used to evade signature detection in malware and also for legitimate obfuscation and protection.

Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) Polyvinyl alcohol Polyvinyl alcohol is a synthetic, water‑soluble polymer used for films, adhesives, textile sizing, packaging and medical formulations; properties depend on hydrolysis and molecular…

Pong — early arcade table-tennis video game Pong Pong is a pioneering arcade video game by Atari that simulates table tennis. Its simple graphics and gameplay helped launch the commercial video game industry and inspired many clo…

Pop gun (toy) Pop gun A pop gun is a simple toy that produces a loud pop by rapidly displacing air or by igniting a small charge. Variants, history, mechanisms, safety issues, and distinctions from cap…

Porsche 911 The Porsche 911 is a rear-engined luxury sports car produced since 1964, notable for its flat‑six engines, distinctive silhouette, racing pedigree, and continual evolution across m…

Port scanner (network scanning tool) Port scanner A port scanner probes hosts to discover open, closed, or filtered network ports and the services that listen on them. Used for asset discovery, security testing and by attackers; l…

Portable application Software designed to run without traditional installation, often from removable media or a single folder; useful for mobility, troubleshooting, privacy, and administrative tasks.

Portable application creators: tools for building portable apps Portable application creators Overview of portable application creators: what they are, how they work, history, common methods, uses, compatibility and security considerations for creating portable apps.

Portable Document Format (PDF) Portable Document Format PDF is a widely used file format for fixed-layout documents that preserves fonts, images and layout across devices; it supports printing, forms, annotations and multiple archival a…

Portable Network Graphics (PNG) Portable Network Graphics Portable Network Graphics (PNG) is a widely used raster image format that uses lossless compression and supports transparency, multiple color types, and web-friendly features.

Postage meter: function, components, history, and uses Postage meter A postage meter is a device that prints postage indicia on mail or labels, used by businesses to replace stamps, manage postage accounting, and speed bulk mailing.