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all of the trends we're kind of bored with now — social, local, mobile, big data — have laid the groundwork for the realization of anticipatory systems' promise.

Foursquare, for example, has been collecting years of data about where people are and what places they're interested in — not just their explicit check-ins, but their local searches, tips and likes. So far, that's allowed Foursquare to offer personalized recommendations. But now the company is taking the next step into anticipating users' needs, Foursquare's head of search, Andrew Hogue, told Fast Company. Hogue gave the example of giving users recommendations for lunch spots at 11 a.m., rather than requiring users to type "lunch" into a search.

calendars are a perpetual act of optimism, subject to real-time revision by factors we can manage — like self-discipline — and factors we can't, like traffic and transit delays.

this sort of "anticipatory computing" could be very useful for distance learning, or perhaps job interview situations during which an interviewer meets a candidate: Their conversation could be better supported with background information available online.

How comfortable would you be with the idea that a Google, Samsung, or Apple device was actually listening to what you say all the time, everywhere you go, no matter who you're talking with or the exact subject of your discussion? It's a good question. Here's a better one: How much would you trust these firms to maintain your privacy, to keep your data safe and not to share it with ad companies or the authorities?

At present, Google Now’s cards are actually quite limited, covering only: Local weather - for both your current location and your work location Local traffic information - including to your “next likely destination” Public transit information - when you’re near a transit stop, it tells you what bus or train will come next Your next appointment - and how long it will take you to get there Airline flight information - including delays and how long it will take you to get to the airport Sports results - for your favorite teams in real time Information about nearby places - bars, restaurants and other attractions Translation services and currency conversion rates - when it nows you’re in a foreign country Time at home - when you’re in a different time zone

The advantages of the Google ecosystem boil down to one term: convenience. Are the results and help you get from Google Now worth sharing the deeply personal information involved? That’s a personal question for each user of devices with Android 4.1, but it’s important to remember that Google still collects all this information whether or not you use Google Now. It’s just that the new service makes it impossible to ignore just how much the company knows about you.