We’re still not getting voice assistants right

Google Home Mini Photo by Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images

The BBC is launching its own voice assistant, appropriately called ‘Beeb’ (though the efficacy of that wake word is completely suspect in a world where people might talk about Justin Bieber, just saying). Upon hearing this news, you might be tempted to think, “Ugh, why? This isn’t necessary.” I wouldn’t jump to that conclusion.

The Beeb assistant might be a boondoggle, a waste of British taxpayer money, and a classic example of the BBC making a tech thing without a super clear reason or need just because it can. In fact, I would put even money on it being all three of those things, but I’m still rooting for it anyway.

I’m rooting for Beeb because we still are screwing up this whole ambient computing, digital assistant thing. Thanks to...

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