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    Back to To the Point

    To the Point

    Do You Want Your Smartphone Telling You What to Do?

    Silicon Valley is developing smart phone apps that will send you information they think you need before you ask for it. It's called "predictive technology." After searching your email and your calendar, it will advise you what to pack for a trip to the country — even though you never told it you planned to go.

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    By Warren Olney • May 12, 2014 • 1 min read

    Silicon Valley is developing smart phone apps that will send you information they think you need before you ask for it. It's called "predictive technology." After searching your email and your calendar, it will advise you what to pack for a trip to the country — even though you never told it you planned to go. Early users call it "seductive" and "creepy," both at the same time. Critics warn against letting computers take over the task of thinking. Will "predictive technology" change the human mind for better, or worse? Will it make dealing with other people a lost art?

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      Warren Olney

      former KCRW broadcaster

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      Evan George

      Director of Content, News

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      Sonya Geis

      Senior Managing Editor

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      Katie Cooper

      Producer, 'One year Later'

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      Claire Cain Miller

      New York Times

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      Joseph Janes

      University of Washington

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      Clive Thompson

      Wired Magazine / New York Times Magazine

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