Details of Samsung’s $300 Bixby Speaker Revealed

Ever wanted Bixby on a speaker? Yes? No? Well, Samsung’s making one either way.

The firm is unveiling the next-gen Galaxy Note device next month at its Unpacked 2018 event, and it could also release the Bixby speaker at the same time. WSJ reports that Samsung is working on a voice-activated speaker powered by Bixby to compete with the likes of HomePod, Google Home, Echo, etc. The firm’s $300 speaker is internally known as Lux, and it will be marketed as a high-end music player, much like Apple’s HomePod

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The device boasts a bowled shape, an unusual form for smart speakers. It will include legged bottoms and lights at the top, possibly to indicate when Bixby is listening to your voice. Samsung will likely include a bunch of features in order to market the product as a high-end music player, one of which includes sound shifting. With sound shifting, the speaker’s audio will be beamed in the direction of the user, so it will essentially beam the audio of the music you’re listening in your direction. Sounds a lot like a gimmick? You wouldn’t be wrong.

Samsung’s Bixby hasn’t been a success on the firm’s phones, with the company essentially forcing users to use the assistant on their phones. The initial reception of Bixby was almost sad, though it seeems like Samsung isn’t giving up yet. The speaker could do well if it is able to compete with high-end speakers like the HomePod, so it will be interesting to see how well it performs once it’s available for purchase.

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Conversation 15 comments

  • Polycrastinator

    18 July, 2018 - 11:10 am

    <p>"So guys, I have this idea. What if we took the failed price point of Apple's Homepod, and added a failed assistant like Microsoft's Cortana, and put it into a single product?"</p>

  • Robert Wade

    18 July, 2018 - 11:23 am

    <p>I want Corana. Period. All day, every day. But Microsoft has clearly thrown in the towel. Cortana works SO beautifully on the Windows phones, and at least decently on the PC/tablet. But it's not only falling behind, but is going NOWHERE on Android.</p>

    • Daekar

      18 July, 2018 - 11:36 am

      <blockquote><a href="#293299"><em>In reply to Robert_Wade:</em></a></blockquote><p>This. I have Cortana set as my default assistant in Android, and the lack of progress is making it REALLY hard to justify. I have no desire to talk to my PC because that interface isn't terrible like a touchscreen, so it doesn't really matter there.</p>

    • VancouverNinja

      Premium Member
      18 July, 2018 - 12:34 pm

      <blockquote><a href="#293299"><em>In reply to Robert_Wade:</em></a></blockquote><p>I think we are going to see a large roll out in the fall for Cortana devices. I have been patiently waiting to get rid of the horrid Nest thermostats in our office and get the Johnson Glas powered by Cortana. It was to be released in Q2 but it is nowhere to be seen. I think it has been pushed back for a big launch. Hope I am right. </p>

  • beckerrt

    Premium Member
    18 July, 2018 - 11:38 am

    <p>Gimme the Invoke any day. </p>

  • Daekar

    18 July, 2018 - 11:38 am

    <p>As much as the technology sphere seems to hate Bixby, I'd be willing to bet most users don't know the difference, couldn't care less, or like it.</p><p><br></p><p>I haven't heard a single person at work, which is filled with Galaxy phones, complain about it – either normals don't use voice assistants or they don't care.</p>

  • Darekmeridian

    18 July, 2018 - 1:08 pm

    <p> Wow no words.. but he's a <a href="http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/polkingfun/12.jpg&quot; target="_blank">pic of a cool bowl speaker </a></p><p><br></p><p>But I think the Bixby speaker should look like <a href="https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1645/2061/products/FireShot_Capture_107_-_AeroBull_Nano_Wireless_Speaker_Bulldog__-_https___www.ebay.com_i_142554614117_800x.jpg?v=1514995874&quot; target="_blank">this</a></p>

  • wolters

    Premium Member
    18 July, 2018 - 1:38 pm

    <p>I'm OK if Samsung want's Bixby but I truly do wish it could be turned off complete and with no Bixby Button. I already don't care for the Samsung "Duplicate Apps" and their own app store. This just add more (for a lack of better words) "Samsung Bloat" to their really awesome hardware. </p>

    • lvthunder

      Premium Member
      18 July, 2018 - 1:48 pm

      <blockquote><a href="#293350"><em>In reply to wolters:</em></a></blockquote><p>If the EU decision stands they won't be duplicate apps for much longer.</p>

      • Daekar

        18 July, 2018 - 4:08 pm

        <blockquote><a href="#293367"><em>In reply to lvthunder:</em></a></blockquote><p>This is true. Also, the Samsung apps are actually quite good. I usually don't use them because I'm a picky SOB, but for most people they're totally fine.</p>

        • IanYates82

          Premium Member
          18 July, 2018 - 5:03 pm

          <blockquote><a href="#293449"><em>In reply to Daekar:</em></a></blockquote><p>To be fair, you're right. The default Samsung apps are quite fine. My wife uses them on her Note 8 and doesn't notice the difference – a browser is a browser.</p>

          • IanYates82

            Premium Member
            18 July, 2018 - 5:04 pm

            <blockquote><a href="#293478"><em>In reply to IanYates82:</em></a></blockquote><p>But, on my S8, I've never hit the Bixby button on purpose and always regretted the few seconds it's wasted of my time when it's by accident (often I've hit the wrong side when wanting to take a photo)</p><p>Fortunately, "ok google" works just fine on there.</p>

  • RM

    18 July, 2018 - 3:37 pm

    <p>There is much more reason to use Cortana than Bixby and Cortana is becoming a hard sell for people due to Microsoft's lack of commitment!</p>

  • madthinus

    Premium Member
    18 July, 2018 - 4:03 pm

    <p>Why?</p>

  • m_p_w_84

    20 July, 2018 - 9:26 am

    <p>D.O.A.</p>

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