Demo mode

The demo mode (short for "demonstration mode") is a feature often found in consumer electronics. A demo mode is usually programmed into the floor model's firmware, which may be accessed by the pressing of a combination of keys and/or the launch of a program. Demo mode is usually activated by retail stores on their consumer electronics floor models. The demo mode may also be pre-enabled on the floor model. The purpose of a demo mode is twofold:

• It demonstrates the features of the unit in question
• It catches the eye of the consumer with a flashy show of lights, entertaining sound, or both.

The central idea behind a demo mode is in-store advertising, preview or premiere of the product.

Usage

In the recent consumer electronics the demo mode isn't installed on consumer units, but instead installed on special pre-made floor models. But in some products, like TVs, Consoles and mobile phones they are present in consumer units. The mode is sometimes hidden and can be activated, disabled or unlocked, like on the PlayStation 3 using a combination of "keys" or numbers. The demo mode may also be available as a video or mode (like on the Sony Ericsson W610i), which can also be used as a placeholder when there's no SIM card installed. Or the Demo mode may not be installed at all in the product as a floor model exclusive.

Appearance

The demo mode itself may be a small video showing the features of the phone or a special version of the operating system (like on the PlayStation 3). The demo mode may also be unlocked or removed from the system by the user if that's allowed by the system without any intervention (like Android rooting or iOS jailbreaking). Of course, it can be removed or unlocked even without it being implemented as a user function using root or jailbreaking. The demo mode may also be a core of the system, where removing it may break the system, in which case it should be "unlocked".

See also

• Attract mode
• Technology demo
• Game demo
• Android rooting
• iOS jailbreaking
• Shareware