The BBC has just released the beta version of its new voice assistant, Beeb.
The new Alexa-looky-likely, which has been developed in collaboration with Microsoft, will allow BBC iPlayer and Sounds users to navigate through programming using their voices.
Just like Alexa it will also users the opportunity to ask silly questions to their new virtual best friend, although unlike Alexa the BBC claims none of the data will be saved for the future sexual gratification of frustrated workers.
It is currently available to members of the Windows Insider Program for beta testing purposes, with a full roll out at some future date yet to be announced.
The wake command for the new assistant will be "Ok Beeb" and it will be able to respond to commands such as:
- "Update me," for a summary of the news;
- "Play Radio 1" or "Play Breakfast with Greg James", to listen on Sounds;
- "Tell me a joke", to hear something from a Christmas cracker;
- "Tell me a fact", to hear trivia that hopefully hasn't been sourced from BBC News;
- "Do you like Killing Eve?", for some insincere tripe about the fine quality of BBC programming;
- "Will you be my boyfriend?", to be automatically reported to CEOP.
Grace Boswood, Chief Operating Officer of BBC Design and Engineering, said: "We've built Beeb because we know there is growing demand from people to access programmes and services with their voice – around one in five adults have a smart speaker in their home, and millions more have voice-activated devices in their pockets.
"Much like the BBC did with iPlayer, we want to make sure everyone can benefit from this new technology, and bring people exciting new content, programmes and services in a trusted, easy-to-use way."
Boswood advises anyone wanting a peak at the beta version to make sure they have the latest Windows 10 update and then sign up for the Windows Insider Program. They will then be able to download the Beeb BETA app from Microsoft Store.
Casting aside the BBC's traditionally snooty manner, the Corporation claims that Beeb will be able to recognise a broad range of accents from across the nation.
If you've found this article useful please consider liking us on Facebook, following us on Twitter or downloading our free ebook.
1 comment:
Perhaps they should have used the money to fund TV Licenses for the over 75's* instead of spaffing it up the wall on some cheap looking, expensive to create (no doubt) copycat of Alexa.
If it uses Microsoft's Bing search engine for it's results it's going to be garbage anyway.
* - as they agreed with UK Government to do in exchange for the TV License increase
Post a Comment