It's a highly frustrating moment talking to a voice assistant that doesn't understand your regional accent. But a new voice assistant launched by the BBC will learn UK regional accents to ensure you don't have Complete Series Archivesto attempt to alter your accent in order to be understood.
That voice assistant is called Beeb — a nod to the BBC's nickname — and it's just been released in beta form for a select group of users to try out. Those users are UK-based members of Microsoft’s Windows Insider Programme, a group of early adopters who test new tech and suggest improvements.
Beeb can play BBC radio, music, podcasts, news, and weather. But it also has a number of fun features that users can make use of. If you ask to hear a joke, you'll hear one written by the BBC comedy writers. If you want something more specific, like a joke from Mash Report, well, ask and you shall receive. If you're a fact-loving nerd (aren't we all), you can ask Beeb for a "QIfact" and you'll hear one from Sandi Toksvig herself. If you simply say the command "tell me a fact," you'll hear trivia curated by the team behind QI.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
The team behind Beeb collaborated with Microsoft to build the product using Microsoft's own technology. Azure AI services are assisting in building the infrastructure behind the voice assistant, which has a synthesised digital voice based on that of a male with a northern English accent. Upon downloading the beta version, users will be asked what regional accent they have. That data will then be used to train Beeb to better understand regional accents.
So, why is it important for a voice assistant to understand your Geordie lilt, your Glaswegian twang, or your Northern Irish accent? A report by the Life Science Centre in Newcastle foundthat Britain's rich tapestry of regional accents are under threat amid the rise of home voice assistants like Alexa and Siri. Per the findings, 79 percent of respondents with strong regional accents were forced to change their accents or adopt received pronunciation (also known as RP) — standard British English pronunciation. Half of respondents expressed worry that technology would cause regional accents to die out.
At present the voice assistant won't be launched as a standalone physical device like Amazon Echo, which works with Alexa, or a Google Home with its own Assistant. But the software will be available to manufacturers who will be able to use the software in devices. The software will also be built into the BBC website and on the iPlayer app on smart TVs.
Once the beta version has been tried out, the BBC plans to make it available to the general public.
It's currently only being tested in the UK, and the BBC told Mashable it will be available in the there only, with no plans currently to make it available outside of the UK.
Topics BBC
Man City vs. Real Madrid 2025 livestream: Watch Champions League for free
Elon Musk says Model Y crossover will come in late 2019 or 2020
This is how that wild 'Prince Philip dead' rumour started
Jane Goodall speaks out about being quoted in Ivanka Trump's book
NYT Connections Sports Edition hints and answers for January 16: Tips to solve Connections #115
There aren't enough statues of women—so this app creates them in augmented reality
Finally, an app to restrict kids' smartphone time that they won't hate
Watch NASA's spectacular home movie of the first dive between Saturn and its rings
Roborock Saros Z70 at CES 2025: A huge flex
Cute elderly newlyweds prove it's never too late for love
How to survive Valentine's Day when you're heartbroken
The royal flag didn't fly half
Dare you look at the travesty that is this watermelon recipe video?
Verizon pays more than $20 million to stream a single NFL game
Dallas Mavericks vs. Boston Celtics 2025 livestream: Watch NBA online
25 things Prince Philip said that will make you full
A woman filmed her driver's obscene harassment, but she ended up in jail
Literally every single rumour about the Queen's 'emergency meeting' at the palace
Watch Chappell Roan's Grammy acceptance speech demanding healthcare for artists
Text messages actually make for a very effective poster
Best air purifier deal: Save $49.99 on the Coway Airmega 100 air purifierBest earbuds deal: Save $30 on Beats Fit ProOscars honors Quincy Jones with lively performance of 'Ease On Down the Road'LAFC vs. Columbus Crew 2025 livestream: Watch Concacaf Champions Cup for freeNYT mini crossword answers for March 4, 2025Best portable power station deal: Get the Jackery Explorer 300 for 35% off at AmazonUK watchdog probes TikTok, Reddit over children's data use2025 Oscar winners: See the full list'No Other Land' wins Best Documentary Feature at 2025 Oscars2025 Oscar winners: See the full listSwiftScan VIP turns your phone into a scanner — save 79%Xiaomi's SU7 Ultra supercar: Yes, we have picsWatch Kieran Culkin shout out 'Succession' coNYT Connections hints and answers for March 4: Tips to solve 'Connections' #632.NYT mini crossword answers for March 4, 2025Best portable power station deal: Get the Jackery Explorer 300 for 35% off at AmazonNYT Connections Sports Edition hints and answers for March 4: Tips to solve Connections #162Best bicycle deals: Save up to 40% on bicycles at REIRoku smart TV deal: Get a 43Manchester United vs. Fulham 2025 livestream: Watch FA Cup for free Jack Johnson documents BFF Jack Gilinsky's arrest on Snapchat The Tension Experience: A live theater show that seriously messes with your head Up close with Oakley Radar Pace, the wearable that may help you forget Google Glass How to unblock Pornhub for free in Florida Bernie Sanders sparked the idea for 'Survivor: Millennials Vs. Gen 40% of millennials say their business inspiration is Mark Zuckerberg Man airdrops all iPhone 7 demo photos from an Apple Store and here they are Tinder's new iMessage app will let you swipe while you chat The Weeknd cuts off all his hair and announces a new album, 'Starboy' YouTube enlists Ryan Seacrest, Bethany Mota and others to encourage viewers to #VoteIRL Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie: The power couple in pictures 10 great 'Survivor' moments, as told by two former castaways How to keep your Google Allo messages secure and private Get an exclusive look at Hulu and AwesomenessTV's new series 'Freakish' Trump selling 'deplorable' t Facebook helps you show your love on the International Day of Peace The Dodgers just trolled Madison Bumgarner with these t North Korea's internet laid bare—and it only has 28 sites WhatsApp now allows you to ping someone even through a muted group chat Put down that pug: Vets urge people to stop buying flat
0.8521s , 8230.46875 kb
Copyright © 2025 Powered by 【Complete Series Archives】,Wisdom Convergence Information Network