One million unique browsers have used the BBC’s first full voice app.
The BBC’s Amazon skill was introduced on Christmas Day to help consumers access the BBC’s live radio stations and broadcast content.
No surprise that national networks Radios 1, 2 and 4 have been the most popular services so far. However people appear to be reluctant or unable to use voice commands to find podcasts.
James Purnell, the BBC’s director of radio & education believes this will change as people get used to interacting with their devices. “Almost two thirds of UK adults claim to own a device with voice (including mobiles) with one in ten claiming to have access to a smart speaker – this has more than doubled in the past year. This is faster than the uptake of tablets, at the same stage,” he wrote in a blog post.
Purnell revealed that the BBC is to start making BBC audio content available to kids with the first ‘interactive experiences’ appearing around established strands later in the spring. “We aim to offer some of our best children’s stories for bedtime in audio form, but activated by voice – building ways for children to choose a story for themselves,” said Purnell.
There are also plans to explore other areas including news, current affairs, food and music.
