Top of the 7 most controversial ‘smart features’ you either love or hate.

We've all encountered those seemingly innocuous features that quickly turn into frustrating annoyances. From autoplaying videos to overly aggressive predictive text, these behaviours can have a significant impact on our digital experience. While they may be intended to enhance our interactions, they often have the opposite effect, causing frustration and a loss of focus.

This introduction sets the stage for the discussion of 7 highly opinionated behaviours and their impact on users.

1. Conversations View in Outlook and Many Other Email Programs:

This feature, while intended to streamline communication, can sometimes feel overwhelming. On one hand, it provides a clear overview of the entire thread, making it easier to follow the context. On the other hand, it can clutter your inbox, especially for long conversations.

2. Autocomplete:

Autocomplete is a lifesaver when it comes to typing emails, saving you time and effort. However, it can also be frustrating when it suggests the wrong word or phrase, leading to typos or unintended messages.

3. Automatic Brightness Adjustment on Devices:

This feature is designed to improve your viewing experience by adjusting the screen brightness based on ambient light. While it can be helpful in certain situations, it can also be annoying when it doesn't adjust correctly or interferes with your preferred settings.

4. Auto-Playing Music or Videos on Websites:

This behavior can be a pleasant surprise or a major annoyance, depending on your preferences. It can be convenient to have music playing in the background while you browse, but it can also be disruptive if you're trying to focus or listen to something else.

5. Focus Inbox:

The Focus Inbox feature in Outlook is designed to help you prioritize important emails. However, it can also be frustrating when it doesn't accurately identify important messages or when you're unable to manually control which emails are prioritized.

6. Automated Customer Service Chatbots:

While chatbots can be convenient for quick answers to simple questions, they can also be frustrating when they're unable to provide helpful assistance or when they keep popping up unexpectedly.

7. Predictive Text:

Predictive text can be a helpful tool for typing quickly and efficiently. However, it can also be frustrating when it suggests the wrong word or phrase, leading to errors or unintended messages.

Which of these behaviors do you love or hate? Share your thoughts in the comments below!