A BlackBerry Patent application just published this morning describes how BlackBerrys could be enabled to pre-select the best punctuation mark for a block of text.
The Patent app is entitled, Handheld electronic device including automatic preferred selection of a punctuation, and associated method.
The Patent Abstract offers a helpful, if somewhat rudimentary description about how this functionality is supposed to work:
A method of enabling input on a handheld electronic device, which includes an input apparatus having a number of input members that are capable of being actuated, wherein at least one of the input members has a plurality of selectable output alternatives, includes detecting as a first input an actuation of an input member, generating a first output, detecting as a second input an actuation of an input member having a plurality of selectable output alternatives comprising at least a primary punctuation and a secondary punctuation, determining that said first output has a predetermined characteristic, preferring as a second output said secondary punctuation, and outputting said second output.
Given that most of us (including the guy writing this post) sometimes includes semi-colons or em dashes (–) when maybe a colon or comma might be more appropriate, I certainly see the need for such functionality. Almost extends SureType to the grammarian domain.
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