I have it from a highly placed source (who of course requested not to be named)  that one of the new, if seldom mentioned, features in iOS5 will be predictive response. While Apple’s predictive typing has improved by leaps and bounds, this new iPhone feature will attempt to make basic responses to text messages and emails unnecessary. The technology combs personal calendars and other information on the iPhone to predict responses to common questions.

The feature, released to developers in the latest beta iOS5 download, will display suggested response for approval before sending. Eventually, the iPhone 5 will learn enough to be able to automatically generate and send a response. This response came from the availability on my calendar, and apparently my Facebook interests as marked by “pints with british chaps.”