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Apple's iOS 8 QuickType keyboard could turn us into predictable versions of ourselves

Why think about the right word when you have a smart phone? Today , we look at technology that is often misunderstood ... the pros and cons of Restrictive Sex ... sorry ... Predictive text. Should we be worried about handing over more control of our lives to technology?...
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The Current26:04Why one philosopher thinks we are QuickTyping our way into being predictable versions of ourselves - Oct 1, 2014
Why think about the right word when you have a smart phone? Today , we look at technology that is often misunderstood ... the pros and cons of Restrictive Sex ... sorry ... Predictive text. Should we be worried about handing over more control of our lives to technology?

Autocorrect2-320.jpg

More Autocorrect Fails here


Many of us have felt the embarrassment of sending a text that's been autocorrected to something really awkward. The best end up on a site aptly named "Damn you, autocorrect!" which has since become a mantra after a text goes rogue.


• Apple's New Predictive Texting Feature Tried to Cause Trouble in My Marriage — Mike Vuolo / Salon


Predictive text is not entirely new - it's been a feature on Android phones long before it came to Apple's devices. But with Apple's latest software update, iOS8, QuickType has gained a lot of attention. Some love it. Some find it isn't quite as intuitive as Apple believes it to be. Some find it creepy.


Today, we're asking what effect predictive technology may have on us. To start us off on this discussion, it's time to love and hate QuickType.

  • Daniel Bader is the editor of MobileSyrup.com, an independent resource for mobile news and reviews for Canadians. He was in Toronto.

  • Fox Van Allen is a blogger for Techlicious. He was in Clinton, New Jersey.


While there may be a lot of fun to be had playing around with QuickType, philosopher Evan Selinger doesn't think it's all just goofy fun. At the Rochester Institute of Technology, he's interested in what happens when we outsource communication jobs to technology.


Do you use predictive text? Has it put you in an awkward situation? What are some of the silliest things your phone has said on your behalf? Send us your best QuickType stories.

Don't text us though -- You can speak to us on our toll free line at 1 877 287 7366. Tweet us @thecurrentcbc. Post on Facebook. Or e-mail us through our website.

This segment was produced by The Current's Pacinthe Mattar, Marc Apollinio and Sujata Berry.

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