How To: Update and Setup Samsung's Bixby Assistant Voice Control

Richard Hay, Senior Content Producer

July 19, 2017

28 Slides
How To: Update and Setup Samsung's Bixby Assistant Voice Control

 

After launching with a new digital assistant that could not hear or understand your voice, Samsung is now shipping an update to it's Bixby Digital Assistant on its new Galaxy S8 and S8+ devices that finally gives Bixby ears for U.S. English in the United States and Korea.

Many questioned the need for another digital assistant alongside of current offerings such as Siri, Google, and Cortana but that did not stop Samsung from making ther plans for Bixby including a dedicated hardware button on their flagship handsets for activating Bixby and Bixby alone. Well, OK, there were some apps that allowed you to remap that button but a couple of times Samsung disabled them as well wanting to keep that button solely for Bixby.

I am a fan of choice so I hope Samsung sees their way to providing customers the option to select the digital assistant of their choice for that hardware button but in the interim that button on the left side of the S8/S8+ is just for Bixby.

In fact, you just need to use that button to turn on Bixby and you will be prompted to update the app to gain its new capabilities.

The gallery here shows you the update and setup process for Bixby and its crash course in what Bixby is capable of doing including interacting with apps and learning your voice to facilitate even unlocking your device.

I am in a noisy environment right now so I still need to finalize the voice recognition and setup but all of the various screens for all elements of the update and learning process are here for you to peruse.

Make sure you comment and let us know your experience with Bixby now that it can hear you.

----------

But, wait...there's probably more so be sure to follow me on Twitter and Google+.

 

About the Author

Richard Hay

Senior Content Producer, IT Pro Today (Informa Tech)

I served for 29 plus years in the U.S. Navy and retired as a Master Chief Petty Officer in November 2011. My work background in the Navy was telecommunications related so my hobby of computers fit well with what I did for the Navy. I consider myself a tech geek and enjoy most things in that arena.

My first website – AnotherWin95.com – came online in 1995. Back then I used GeoCities Web Hosting for it and WindowsObserver.com is the result of the work I have done on that site since 1995.

In January 2010 my community contributions were recognized by Microsoft when I received my first Most Valuable Professional (MVP) Award for the Windows Operating System. Since then I have been renewed as a Microsoft MVP each subsequent year since that initial award. I am also a member of the inaugural group of Windows Insider MVPs which began in 2016.

I previously hosted the Observed Tech PODCAST for 10 years and 317 episodes and now host a new podcast called Faith, Tech, and Space. 

I began contributing to Penton Technology websites in January 2015 and in April 2017 I was hired as the Senior Content Producer for Penton Technology which is now Informa Tech. In that role, I contribute to ITPro Today and cover operating systems, enterprise technology, and productivity.

https://twitter.com/winobs

Sign up for the ITPro Today newsletter
Stay on top of the IT universe with commentary, news analysis, how-to's, and tips delivered to your inbox daily.

You May Also Like