For example, in the To: line of an email message, begin typing an address from your contacts and it will bring up a list of those that start with the same letters. Obvious, right? But if you've been lazy about updating your contacts and syncing with your computer, it's an incentive to do so.

More interesting, in the body of an e-mail, the software remembers things that you've written even if they aren't in the dictionary. An example: we often type messages that include a child's (uncommon) name. Now, when we begin typing his name, not only does the name (capitalized) come up, but two-word phrases beginning with that name, reflecting content from past messages, also appear.

If you've often sent directions to your home or office from your smartphone, begin to type them and you may find nearly every other word is prompted for you.

Customizing your eye to monitor the pop-up suggestions means altering the focus on letters that the pull out keyboard initially inspires. But if you're concerned with long-term efficiency, the time investment up front should pay off quickly.