Samsung Electronics today announced new updates to Bixby that improve user experience, performance and capabilities of the intelligent assistant and platform. The new updates deliver significant improvements in Bixby’s ability with enhanced language recognition, giving people greater control over their mobile experience.
“When Samsung first launched Bixby as a voice assistant, it was part of a vision to create a human-to-machine interface that makes life easier and can advance over time with Samsung Galaxy innovation,” said YoungJip Kim, Executive Vice President and Head of Artificial Intelligence Team in Mobile eXperience Business, Samsung Electronics. “Today, we introduce updates to build a more intelligent interface that is proactive and adaptive, giving people greater control over their mobile experience.”
Giving People Greater Control Over Their Mobile Experience
The new Bixby updates bring several new features and improvements that allow people to customize their user experience further, including the recent availability of Bixby Text Call1 in English. Now, English speakers can answer calls from anywhere by typing a message, which Bixby converts to audio and communicates to the caller directly on their behalf.
Users can also personalize their Bixby Text Call voice. Using the new Bixby Custom Voice Creator,2 users can record different sentences for Bixby to analyze and create an AI generated copy of their voice and tone. Currently available in Korean, this generated voice is planned to be compatible with other Samsung apps beyond phone calls. And for those who want to customize their wake word, Bixby now supports changes to the Custom wake-up3 phrase within Bixby settings as well, adding a new option to create a personalized wake-up phrase.
From Intelligent Assistant to Intelligent Platform
Today, Bixby can provide more seamless continuity and better attune to user needs with the introduction of new scenarios,4 including playing music depending on the type of exercise in Samsung Health or saving schedules in Calendar. Now, Bixby can better understand intent and process follow-up requests by understanding context and associating words previously used in interactions. For example, Bixby users can first launch a workout on Samsung Health and then ask Bixby to play music5 that best suits that exercise by saying “Play music for this workout.”
Enhanced Language Recognition, Processing and Response
In addition to these great new features, Samsung also expanded Bixby’s on-device AI support.6 Users can run key commands entirely offline, such as setting a timer, taking a screenshot or turning on the flashlight. By integrating on-device AI with its native applications,7 Samsung was able to further expand its language offering8 and capabilities with advanced AI-based voice dictation. These updates to Bixby will be made possible by the powerful innovation found in Samsung Galaxy devices, including the industry-leading performance that enables on-device AI applications.
Availability
Bixby updates will be available for Samsung Galaxy users in February9 through a software update. For more information, please visit www.samsung.com/global/galaxy/apps/bixby.
1 Bixby Text Call is available on selective models including Galaxy S23, S23+, S23 Ultra, Z Fold4 and Z Flip4. It works on phones with One UI 4.1.1 or above for Korean and phones with One UI 5.1 or above for English.
2 Bixby Custom Voice Creator is available on selective models including Galaxy S23, S23+ and S23 Ultra. It works on phones with One UI 5.0 or above. Availability of functions may vary depending on the device model. The application is available for download via settings within Bixby or the Samsung Phone application (native call app).
3 The feature is available in Korean as of date and on selective models including Galaxy S23, S23+ and S23 Ultra. Exact timing and availability of the updates may vary by market and are subject to change.
4 The eight scenarios are all currently available in Korean. More languages to be supported.
5 Supported music applications include Melon, Bugs, Genie and FLO as of date.
6 Availability of the on-device AI support may vary by market and model.
7 Supported native applications include those apps that require on-device AI support only.
8 The on-device mode currently supports English, Spanish, French, Italian, German and Korean.
9 Exact timing and availability of the updates may vary by user and market.
Source: Samsung Mobile Blog
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