For example: Why is Microsoft Word's autocorrect still not using the kind of text editing technology that already functions in all tablets and smart phones?
I shudder at the mere thought. Word does some simple autocorrecting that has rarely ever been annoying; besides that, the most helpful thing it does is underline (potentially) misspelled words and offer suggestions. Given my experience with some smart phones, I'd rather not have what I type change mid-way. I even have autocorrect turned off on all of my phones.
Because in order to create a really good new generation of word processor, someone would have to start from scratch and reimagine the whole thing.<p>Microsoft lives from taking users' documents hostage and making users pay for software upgrades, so they won't do it. OOo/Libre Office does not seem to have the man power to do it. Apple seems to be utterly unmotivated to anything more than absolutely necessery with its office suite.<p>That said, there <i>are</i> interesting alternatives out there if you are willing to part with more than basic *.docx compatibility.
The autocorrect on my android is great... until I want to type something that is "incorrect" like type a linkedlist.c and get an autospace after the period.<p>I think there can be improvement for keyboards inspired by touchscreen keyboards, but it's going to be different then what's out there on phones and tablets because of the differences in how we type between the two. We don't touch type on mobile devices.<p>I think the only thing free when typing is our thumbs..
> <i>the kind of text editing technology that already functions in all tablets and smart phones?</i><p>The reason that technology exists is because we're so bad at tapping small rectangles with our thumbs. If you interacted with your smartphone using a full size touch-typing keyboard, the phone wouldn't have advanced autocorrect.
Why shoot for tablets and smartphones when there's better tech.<p><a href="http://googledocs.blogspot.com/2012/03/spell-checking-powered-by-web.html" rel="nofollow">http://googledocs.blogspot.com/2012/03/spell-checking-powere...</a>
I own a Dell Venue Pro which has both keyboard and touchsreen text entry. Autocorrect is counterproductive when I use the keyboard. I wouldn't even begin to want that in a word processor...or FireFox like I'm using now.