经济观察报·2026-01-11 07:29Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the challenges faced by input method applications in the era of AI, highlighting user frustrations with accuracy and excessive advertisements, despite significant investments from major tech companies in enhancing these tools [2][4][14]. Group 1: User Experience Issues - Users are increasingly dissatisfied with input methods, reporting issues such as inaccurate word predictions and excessive advertisements, which detract from the overall user experience [2][4]. - A specific case is mentioned where a long-time user of Sogou Input Method uninstalled the app due to frequent incorrect suggestions, indicating a decline in basic functionality despite advanced AI features [4]. - Complaints about the voice recognition capabilities of input methods have also surfaced, with users noting that corrections often take longer than typing the text directly [4]. Group 2: AI Integration and Competition - Major input method providers, including Sogou, Baidu, and iFlytek, are engaged in a competitive race to integrate advanced AI capabilities into their products, aiming to enhance user experience and functionality [2][8][9]. - The input method market is characterized by a concentrated structure, with leading companies holding a combined market share of 84.4% as of July 2025, indicating a competitive landscape [8]. - Input methods are evolving from simple typing tools to becoming the primary interface for AI interactions, with companies aiming to position their products as essential gateways to AI capabilities [9][10]. Group 3: Commercialization and Privacy Concerns - Input methods face challenges in monetization, struggling with a "high traffic, low value" dilemma, which complicates their ability to generate revenue despite having a large user base [15][16]. - Privacy concerns are paramount, as input methods have been criticized for collecting unnecessary personal information, leading to regulatory scrutiny and the need for companies to adapt their data collection practices [16]. - Companies are implementing features that allow users to choose between different modes of data collection, balancing functionality with privacy protection [16]. Group 4: Future Directions - The future of input methods is seen as a shift towards becoming intelligent agents that can understand user intent and context, moving beyond basic text input to more complex interactions [12]. - Companies are exploring multi-modal input methods that incorporate voice, text, and images, which require sophisticated algorithms and technology to manage effectively [17].