The BBC has announced plans to launch a voice assistant nicknamed ‘Beeb’ that is capable of picking up a range of British accents. By acknowledging and celebrating the UK’s regional diversity, the broadcaster is hoping to take on tech giants and win the hearts of people nationwide.

Google Nigeria has released a voice assistant with a nuanced and representative English accent. This effort to regionally customise the service may help to address the growing calls for inclusivity across sectors, ensuring people around the world have tools suited to their needs.

For people who are blind or visually impaired, everyday tasks can be highly frustrating when products aren’t designed with their needs in mind. Mobile app Be My Eyes is aiming to make life a little easier by connecting these individuals to remote volunteers who can ‘see’ the world for them.

With more than 44 million adults having a mental health condition and rates of depression and suicide on the rise among younger generations, America’s mental health crisis shows no sign of easing in the near future. How might mobile apps enable people to better manage their wellbeing?