BBC is developing its own voice assistant, which is set to compete with Alexa and Siri. Like other assistants, it is being positioned as a character. Currently, the project has a working title of Auntie, but the name will be changed to something more modern before launch. This information comes from observers. the Daily Mail publication.
According to insiders, the system will be available for free download on smartphones and smart TVs, likely developed for Android. There are no indications about builds for other operating systems. Initially, the assistant will be introduced in the UK, and it remains unclear whether it will expand beyond the country. It is also unknown if it will be offered as the main system on end devices.
Functionally, Auntie will be similar to Google Assistant, Siri, and others, meaning it will recognize voice commands, search for weather information, and so on, as well as read it aloud. More details on this topic are expected to emerge by the time of release. It is worth noting that the project is still in the early stages of development and has not yet received final approval. However, company leadership believes the new assistant can be launched by the end of 2020.
According to the publication, this will be an attempt by the largest British media outlet to break free from the dominance of Amazon, Apple, and Google, which often rank their own products higher than competitors'. Thus, the British aim to distance themselves from American companies. It is also noteworthy that several companies in Russia and abroad are developing their own voice and virtual assistants that simplify business operations, user support, and more.
