Samsung Launches Early Access Program for Bixby Assistant

BY Evan Selleck

Published 16 Jun 2017

Samsung Galaxy S8 Camera Closeup

Samsung showcased Bixby, its newest digital personal assistant, when it announced the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ earlier this year.

And, technically, Bixby is present on both flagship smartphones, but in the United States there is one key element missing: Bixby Voice. The feature eventually found its way to Galaxy S8 owners in South Korea, but it’s still a waiting game going on in the U.S. But Samsung appears almost ready to launch the feature, because they want some pre-release input ahead of that big date.

Samsung has announced an early access program for Bixby’s new features, with the primary focus now being on Bixby Voice. With this particular feature set, Galaxy S8 owners will be able to use their voice to do a variety of different complicated tasks, like having the assistant take your picture and then immediately send it to a specific contact.

“We see Bixby as an intelligent interface for your phone — an integral part of our connected ecosystem,” said Injong Rhee, CTO and Head of R&D, Software and Services, Samsung Mobile. “From phones, to televisions, to refrigerators, we think that Bixby will provide users with a simpler, more intuitive way to control their favorite devices, and live a more connected life.”

Participation is limited, so if you want to try it out go through this link.

There’s still no word on when Bixby Voice will launch in the U.S., but it at least seems a little closer now.

[via Samsung]