Meet Bixby - Samsung's answer to Siri

Ahead of the Galaxy S8 launch next week, Samsung today introduced Bixby - the artificial intelligence that will ship with its latest flagship smartphones. While artificial intelligences like Siri and Google Assistant can in some ways be considered an extension of search, Samsung says that Bixby-enabled applications will allow voice to support "almost every task" the app can do through touch.

It's not just about setting timers or getting the weather forecast, but, for example, sending a photo you're looking at to a family member without entering contact details or swapping apps. Samsung has yet to confirm specifics, but you might end up saying something along the lines of "Bixby, send this photo to dad". 

Samsung says that Bixby enabled applications will also be context aware, and as such allow you to continue your current task without starting over from scratch. While Samsung didn't provide examples, this presumably means you'll be able to do things like start typing a text using your touchscreen, then swap over to voice to finish and send.

When the S8 goes on sale, a subset of preinstalled applications will be Bixby-enabled. Samsung will expand this over time, and eventually plans to allow third-party developers to enable their apps to interact with Bixby.

The Galaxy S8 will also ship with a dedicated Bixby button on its side.

"Confusion around activating a voice interface is a barrier we have removed to make it feel easier and more comfortable to give commands," said Samsung in a media release.

"For example, instead of taking multiple steps to make a call – turning on and unlocking the phone, looking for the phone application, clicking on the contact bar to search for the person that you’re trying to call and pressing the phone icon to start dialling – you will be able to do all these steps with one push of the Bixby button and a simple command."

Samsung initially plans to deploy Bixby on smartphones, but says it will be gradually applied to other appliances including televisions and air conditioners.

Read more: What we think we know about the Galaxy S8

Alex Choros

Managing Editor + Group Telco Editor | X | Instagram | Threads | LinkedIn

Alex Choros is the Managing Editor of WhistleOut Australia and an award-winning journalist. He's been writing about consumer technology for over a decade and is an expert on the Australian telco sector, to the point where he knows far too many phone and internet plans by heart. In addition to leading the WhistleOut editorial team, Alex is responsible for ruining the office Sonos with his troubled taste in music.

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