Damn you, autocorrect!
Autocorrect is a useful feature that can often be absolutely hilarious. There are whole websites dedicated to documenting the funny, sometimes inappropriate, and whacky results of the accidental autocorrect. Though it may be embarrassing, it's rare that autocorrect will cause any real trouble. Sure, you might have some explaining to do (especially if autocorrect put some lewd words in your mouth), but we had never heard a case of autocorrect gone wrong with catastrophic results. Until today, that is.
This story actually involves two cell phone faux pas. The first is the dreaded autocorrect, while the second is a text sent to the wrong phone number. According to the Gainesville Times, West Hall middle and high schools went into lock down after a text message that read "gunman be at west hall today," was received by a member of the community. Police tracked the number only to discover that autocorrect has changed 'gunna' to 'gunman.' The lock down was lifted at 1:45 p.m. but authorities said that the person who informed the police did the right thing.
"It was a combination of odd circumstances," Sgt. Stephen Wilbanks told the Gaineville Times. "We want to emphasize that the recipient did the right thing in reporting the message."
The story doesn't mention what kind of phone the sender of the text was using, but CNet reports that the iPhone autocorrects 'gunna' to 'Gunnar' and our own little test has confirmed that Android will let you use the word 'gunna' without trying to correct you. Windows Phone does offer 'gunman' up as a suggestion but it doesn't automatically insert it in place of 'gunna.'
Siri: OK
Siri: Would you like a list of local ammunition dealers in your area?
Siri: OK
Siri: Would you like a list of local ammunition dealers in your area?
I use autocorrect, and then take a little time to make sure it's correct anyway. Much faster that way, and you don't send awkward messages. Autocorrect errors are glaringly obvious when you do a quick read of your message. Certainly more so than minor typos.
Related to the article, I'm guessing that the person who sent the text was using Android and a non-stock keyboard. I use SwiftKey, and it does autocorrect totally differently than the stock keyboard.
Autocorrect isn't just about fixing possible errors in messages, it is about speeding up texting by finishing a word or phrase before you finish typing it. I don't use autocorrect on my Android, but I know some people who do use it and although I can type pretty fast, they can do it faster because of autocorrect.
Sure, you could argue that so what it's only a few second speed up at best, but if you need to text a lot or you just want to text a lot (I have free texting, so I could, but I don't do it much) then the value of autocorrect can show.
I can confirm this with my HTC Desire too. It's most likely an HTC.
Change the messaging system so that when the message gets sent the original and the corrected version are sent. The person receiving the message gets the corrected one by default, but can touch an icon which will highlight and show the original word typed along with the corrected word.
For casual mistakes the receiver can probably figure out what the person actually said by viewing the original, and saves them from having to send another text back asking what they meant. And, of course, it would eliminate confusion in cases like this.
Hear that Apple? There's something you can patent.
when was the last time something important was sent via a text? im sure no one will care if you miss type dont and dont put the the ' in it... i sure as hell dont when i type normally, though that has more to do with my pinky fingers than any thing else. i also dont use shift... only time people complain is the kind of people who disregard a whole comment because of 1 typing mistake, and god knows i would get a sanction here if i voiced my opinion on them. only time shift is ever used by me is when i am TRYING to drive a point home and some people may need to have the key word pointed out... sense the way i talk cant be articulated through ip as of now.
Well, the text that this article is based on was important enough to shut down a school for a while. I know some auxiliary military groups such as the Civil Air Patrol use a lot of text messages, especially in emergency services such as search and rescue. A lot of their search and rescue missions (most search and rescue done in the continental USA is done by or partially by this group) are sent out through text messages to ensure the info is sent out to as many members as necessary very rapidly.