Part of the Wireless and mobile glossary:

Predictive text is an input technology that is designed to facilitate typing by suggesting words based on the first letters typed, in the context of other words in the message. 

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The earliest common application for predictive text was for text messaging. T9 (text on 9 keys) uses predictive text to make typing on mobile phones and other small devices easier than it is with multi-tapping, which requires the user to tap numbers up to four times to register some characters. Predictive text is used on smartphones, tablets and other mobile devices. 

Although predictive text technologies are becoming increasingly sophisticated, the software is still notoriously error-prone. Erroneous predictive text input is sometimes referred to as the Cupertino effect or an auto-correct fail. 

This was last updated in December 2012
Contributor(s): Ivy Wigmore
Posted by: Margaret Rouse

Related Terms

Definitions

  • text on nine keys (T9)

    - Text on nine keys (T9) is a system that lets fixed and mobile phone users send text messages by pressing a number key for each letter in the message -- effectively making a keyboard out of the nine... (SearchNetworking.com)

  • multi-tapping

    - Multi-tapping is an older procedure used to enter text using a telephone keypad. (SearchNetworking.com)

  • Cupertino effect

    - The Cupertino effect is an erroneous suggestion or replacement by a spellchecker, auto-correct program or smartphone predictive text feature. (WhatIs.com)

Glossaries

  • Wireless and mobile

    - Terms related to wireless and mobile technology, including definitions about consumer mobile technology devices and communication technologies such as Wi-Fi, WiMAX and LTE.

  • Software applications

    - Terms related to software applications, including definitions about software programs for vertical industries and words and phrases about software development, use and management.

  • Personal computing

    - Terms related to personal computers, including definitions about computers sold as consumer products and words and phrases about laptops, tablets and smartphones.

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