IPhones against abortion!

[Vazdania]

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-07-19/pobjie-autocorrect/4831464

I actually think this is quite shocking. I mean, as the article writer says:

The principle behind Apple's actions is sound: by preventing people from knowing how words should be spelt, we discourage people from using these words.

They're right. And it makes me very concerned to think that our thought, and language is being subtly influenced to filter out content that a corporation deems objectionable.

I mean, drunken? Really? That's so objectionable that Apple can't allow us to spell it correctly?

I get that they are a private company, but they are also monopolising the market, which to me, gives them some responsibility to their consumers, at least to make it clear that they have this kind of social engineering policy.

What does NSG think? Is this okay? Or is it worrying?

Quite acceptable. You aren't required to buy Apple Products.

[Zyx]

It's stupid. That is all I have to say about it.

[Threlizdun]

It evidently doesn't like the word "finishing" either, considering that it corrected it to "finish string" for me. I still don't know what a finish string is, but clearly Apple wants me to support them.

[Sakarnen]

Wait, what? That sounds like a bad attempt at introducing Orwell's newspeak to society...

[Farnhamia]

It evidently doesn't like the word "finishing" either, considering that it corrected it to "finish string" for me. I still don't know what a finish string is, but clearly Apple wants me to support them.

It's what Hippostania uses to mend his clothes when they're torn.

[Krytak]

Once upon a time, if you wanted to know how to spell something, you used a dictionary. Stop being lazy, expecting the machines to so everything, and learn how to spell for yourself. Pick up a book and read. If you can't be bothered to learn the correct spelling of a word, you're probably not intelligent enough to have a valid opinion.

[Meryuma]

Well that's stupid.

Now I have another reason to hate Apple and Apple product users other than the fact that they are all a bunch of precocious materialistic bastards.

I think you mean "pretentious"...

[Farnhamia]

Well that's stupid.

Now I have another reason to hate Apple and Apple product users other than the fact that they are all a bunch of precocious materialistic bastards.

I think you mean "pretentious"...

Damned autocorrect!

[Regnum Dominae]

That's stupid and ridiculous. Add this to my ridiculously long list of reasons why I hate Apple.

[DesAnges]

Now I have another reason to hate Apple and Apple product users other than the fact that they are all a bunch of precocious materialistic bastards.

AY! Not all of us.

[Stedicules]

Yeah nobody is gonna forget the word 'abortion', so Apple can't really win.

[San Splendido]

It evidently doesn't like the word "finishing" either, considering that it corrected it to "finish string" for me. I still don't know what a finish string is, but clearly Apple wants me to support them.

Oh, someone actually dared to provoke THEM with a hint that blatant? The dreaded Finish String is what THEY strangle people with when they are finished with them.

[Soji]

Once upon a time, if you wanted to know how to spell something, you used a dictionary. Stop being lazy, expecting the machines to so everything, and learn how to spell for yourself. Pick up a book and read. If you can't be bothered to learn the correct spelling of a word, you're probably not intelligent enough to have a valid opinion.

I am in agreement.

[Charlotte Ryberg]

I just disable autocorrect. Straightforward, in my opinion.

[Saint Jade IV]

Once upon a time, if you wanted to know how to spell something, you used a dictionary. Stop being lazy, expecting the machines to so everything, and learn how to spell for yourself. Pick up a book and read. If you can't be bothered to learn the correct spelling of a word, you're probably not intelligent enough to have a valid opinion.

I am in agreement.

As I have now stated, several fucking times - I doubt most people who are using words like abortion, Aryan, drunken, or homoerotic don't know how to spell them. I doubt it very much. The point is not whether people should be able to spell, but rather that a company has decided that such words are too controversial to include in their autocorrect dictionary. A company which has a rather large market share, and which many other companies now use exclusively, meaning that anyone who objects to such blatant attempts at linguistic engineering cannot reasonably choose not to use their products. Furthermore, if they ARE going to censor words in such a way, they need to make it clear to the consumer what those words are, so that the consumer can:

A) make an informed choice about whether the company's values align with their own; and
B) be aware that if they are say, a WWII historian, the iPhone is probably not the best phone for them.

The considered exclusion of these words speaks a great deal to the values of Apple. And those values are disgusting.

[Saint Jade IV]

Mr. OP where do I begin.

Corporations bending to the will of the people? I refuse to believe or allow that corporations (i.e people) should ever be subject to a standard of responsibility among those buying its' product.

Good thing those regulating pharmaceutical companies don't agree with you.

I think that consumers have a right to make an informed purchase. Apple can behave in this way, but it has a responsibility to ensure it's consumers are aware that they think the phrases, homoerotic and abortion are so objectionable they don't want their users to use them.

If Apple wants to fill in words in a different way, which may be incorrect, it is their discretion. Don't like it? DO NOT buy the product, then again theres always Android and track phones from Walmart. Plus as America true monopolies are stopped anyhow so no worries. Evrythn is fine, go back 2 your Iphone technalogy and u need not wory about editing of wrds, its not like its makn us ay different am I right?

Unfortunately, I don't know about the US, but here, it's rather impossible to avoid using Apple products in certain industries. Furthermore, it's really much easier to make that choice if you are aware that this behaviour is going on.

[Shaggai]

I am in agreement.

As I have now stated, several fucking times - I doubt most people who are using words like abortion, Aryan, drunken, or homoerotic don't know how to spell them. I doubt it very much. The point is not whether people should be able to spell, but rather that a company has decided that such words are too controversial to include in their autocorrect dictionary. A company which has a rather large market share, and which many other companies now use exclusively, meaning that anyone who objects to such blatant attempts at linguistic engineering cannot reasonably choose not to use their products. Furthermore, if they ARE going to censor words in such a way, they need to make it clear to the consumer what those words are, so that the consumer can:

A) make an informed choice about whether the company's values align with their own; and
B) be aware that if they are say, a WWII historian, the iPhone is probably not the best phone for them.

The considered exclusion of these words speaks a great deal to the values of Apple. And those values are disgusting.

While I agree with you, I think the intended purpose of autocorrect isn't to correct those who can't spell, but those who are clumsy enough to misspell words. I assume the point is that they don't want someone who types, say, durken instead of darken to have it correct to drunken. Although, on the other hand, who the hell's texts include the word darken?

[Rhodmhire]

Settings -> General -> Keyboard -> Auto-Correction -> Off

There now it's not a problem anymore.

Unless you're incompetent (oh right it's 2013 and we're talking about a strong Western consumer base, maybe more of a problem than I thought).

Some words are indeed too dangerous to be autocorrected, but Apple is wrong to deny us the correct spelling of "abortion" while unleashing the full horror of "awesomesauce"

Why are our iPhones so opposed to us typing "pornography" but happy to let us type "selfie"?

Because consumers actually frequently use those words across the board.

Please, if you consider who is on average using iPhones to text frequently, you will quickly find that there's a pretty good reason why consumers would be more likely to type "awesomesauce" or "selfie" than fucking "abortion" or "pornography" in the first place.

"lol check out my selfie doe #yolo so tight wicked awesomesauce bro xD"

versus

"Really thinking about getting an abortion tomorrow after I reorganize my collection of pornography, what do you think?"

Gee I wonder which one crops up more and whose keywords by extension get more priority in auto-correction when Apple sits down and thinks that one over.

Hm.

[Torcularis Septentrionalis]

One more reason to list in my book, "Fucking Apple, I Hate That Fucking Shit" In stores Spring 2014.

[Rhodmhire]

One more reason to list in my book, "Fucking Apple, I Hate That Fucking Shit" In stores Spring 2014.

I wonder how you'll get more than half a page out of that.

What's so bad about Apple. They make well-liked, generally functional products which suit their intended purposes. Their success is reflected by the immense consumer base who has consistently supported their products for years. Even if you don't like the base product, there are many options for altering the device to your liking outside of the parameters of the purchasable Apple routes (like that thing the kids do these days, jailbreaking or what have you).

Apple tablets are helping to revolutionize medical practices, teaching, and studying. Apple iPhones are so ubiquitous that they've created a common means of communication between millions upon millions of people; they're even used to a degree (along with tablets) in the military, in business, in all walks of life. Apple Macs and Macbooks are shit okay I'll give you that but hey you can't win them all I guess.

What just because you have to backspace and retype 'abortion' it's worthy of a 200 page diatribe. Nah.

[Regnum Dominae]

What's so bad about Apple. They make well-liked, generally functional products which suit their intended purposes. Their success is reflected by the immense consumer base who has consistently supported their products for years. Even if you don't like the base product, there are many options for altering the device to your liking outside of the parameters of the purchasable Apple routes (like that thing the kids do these days, jailbreaking or what have you).

You're funny.

[Rhodmhire]

What's so bad about Apple. They make well-liked, generally functional products which suit their intended purposes. Their success is reflected by the immense consumer base who has consistently supported their products for years. Even if you don't like the base product, there are many options for altering the device to your liking outside of the parameters of the purchasable Apple routes (like that thing the kids do these days, jailbreaking or what have you).

You're funny.

I'm a fucking riot by trade. It's not an easy life, but it's my life.

Apple totally didn't pay me to say all of that by the way. I mean if you want you could totally consider buying some of their products, but you didn't hear it from me.

Shhhh quiet Steve Job's ghost they'll hear you. Don't blow it.

[Saint Jade IV]

Settings -> General -> Keyboard -> Auto-Correction -> Off

There now it's not a problem anymore.

Unless you're incompetent (oh right it's 2013 and we're talking about a strong Western consumer base, maybe more of a problem than I thought).

Some words are indeed too dangerous to be autocorrected, but Apple is wrong to deny us the correct spelling of "abortion" while unleashing the full horror of "awesomesauce"

Why are our iPhones so opposed to us typing "pornography" but happy to let us type "selfie"?

Because consumers actually frequently use those words across the board.

Please, if you consider who is on average using iPhones to text frequently, you will quickly find that there's a pretty good reason why consumers would be more likely to type "awesomesauce" or "selfie" than fucking "abortion" or "pornography" in the first place.

"lol check out my selfie doe #yolo so tight wicked awesomesauce bro xD"

versus

"Really thinking about getting an abortion tomorrow after I reorganize my collection of pornography, what do you think?"

Gee I wonder which one crops up more and whose keywords by extension get more priority in auto-correction when Apple sits down and thinks that one over.

Hm.

I think the word "drunken" might crop up a fair bit on user texts, don't you? I have seen a number of words which are not in frequent use autocorrected. When you take the group of words together, it certainly paints a clear picture of what audience they are "protecting".

[Krytak]

I am in agreement.

As I have now stated, several fucking times - I doubt most people who are using words like abortion, Aryan, drunken, or homoerotic don't know how to spell them. I doubt it very much. The point is not whether people should be able to spell, but rather that a company has decided that such words are too controversial to include in their autocorrect dictionary. A company which has a rather large market share, and which many other companies now use exclusively, meaning that anyone who objects to such blatant attempts at linguistic engineering cannot reasonably choose not to use their products. Furthermore, if they ARE going to censor words in such a way, they need to make it clear to the consumer what those words are, so that the consumer can:

A) make an informed choice about whether the company's values align with their own; and
B) be aware that if they are say, a WWII historian, the iPhone is probably not the best phone for them.

The considered exclusion of these words speaks a great deal to the values of Apple. And those values are disgusting.

That's going to be pretty subjective. Besides, when you buy a product, you pay for the product. The company's values have nothing to do with the product in this context. If you work for a company that uses apple products exclusively for whatever reason, and you object to their values, do so on your own time. If the company is paying you to work using that particular product, you are on company time. Leave your personal objections to the moral values of others at home. When you are on company time, that is company time, not time for you to whine about another company's values, or ideology. If using those products is so distasteful, then look for a new job. I'm sure in today's market there are a lot of people who have no problem separating their personal feelings from what work related devices their company provides them. I'm sure a lot of them would be happy if you vacate the position so that they can get a chance to be employed. Apple (or any other company for that matter) does not have an obligation to submit a list of "controversial words" from their spell check just because some people have nothing to do but go out of their way to be offended.

In short:
1; On your personal time, if you don't like it, don't use it.
2; When you're on company time, you're on company time and you work with what they provide. If that's too unbearable, you're free to look for a new job.

[Saint Jade IV]

As I have now stated, several fucking times - I doubt most people who are using words like abortion, Aryan, drunken, or homoerotic don't know how to spell them. I doubt it very much. The point is not whether people should be able to spell, but rather that a company has decided that such words are too controversial to include in their autocorrect dictionary. A company which has a rather large market share, and which many other companies now use exclusively, meaning that anyone who objects to such blatant attempts at linguistic engineering cannot reasonably choose not to use their products. Furthermore, if they ARE going to censor words in such a way, they need to make it clear to the consumer what those words are, so that the consumer can:

A) make an informed choice about whether the company's values align with their own; and
B) be aware that if they are say, a WWII historian, the iPhone is probably not the best phone for them.

The considered exclusion of these words speaks a great deal to the values of Apple. And those values are disgusting.

That's going to be pretty subjective. Besides, when you buy a product, you pay for the product. The company's values have nothing to do with the product in this context. If you work for a company that uses apple products exclusively for whatever reason, and you object to their values, do so on your own time. If the company is paying you to work using that particular product, you are on company time. Leave your personal objections to the moral values of others at home. When you are on company time, that is company time, not time for you to whine about another company's values, or ideology. If using those products is so distasteful, then look for a new job. I'm sure in today's market there are a lot of people who have no problem separating their personal feelings from what work related devices their company provides them. I'm sure a lot of them would be happy if you vacate the position so that they can get a chance to be employed. Apple (or any other company for that matter) does not have an obligation to submit a list of "controversial words" from their spell check just because some people have nothing to do but go out of their way to be offended.

In short:
1; On your personal time, if you don't like it, don't use it.
2; When you're on company time, you're on company time and you work with what they provide. If that's too unbearable, you're free to look for a new job.

Oh for fucks sake. You really have no fucking idea do you? So, one can't complain at all, ever, about problems, because, fucking private enterprise, and get another job...blah blah blah.

Grow the fuck up.