Samsung Opens Up Bixby Early Access for Galaxy S8 Users in the U.S.
- Paul Thurrott
- Jun 18, 2017
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One of the goofier things about the Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+ is that these flagship handsets shipped without one their core features—voice control for the Bixby digital personal assistant—in the United States. But now the firm has opened up an Early Access program ahead of its broader release.
“We see Bixby as an intelligent interface for your phone [and] an integral part of our connected ecosystem,” Samsung Software and Services CTO Injong Rhee said. “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.”
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That can’t happen until Bixby is fully working on your phone, of course. And Bixby won’t be fully working until it supports voice commands in your language.
If you’re interested in trying out this functionality ahead of the general release, you can sign-up now. Samsung notes that participation is limited, so you should move quickly.
“New voice features are coming to Bixby and we’re inviting you to get access first,” the early access site notes. “Bixby is built into the Galaxy S8 and S8+, so you can send texts, change your settings or make a call by simply holding down the Bixby button and speaking. Because Bixby learns and adapts to you, you can speak naturally knowing that Bixby will better understand nearly everything you say.”