Exclusive: Samsung to use Bixby voice assistant in all native apps on the Galaxy S8

After bringing some valuable information regarding the Galaxy S8 over the past few months, we are back once again with more exclusive information regarding the device. As we all know, Samsung acquired Harman and Viv a few weeks ago. Even though the company might not end up using Harman audio in its smartphones just yet, it definitely has plans to use some of Viv’s artificial intelligence in its upcoming flagship smartphone.

According to the information that we’ve received, Samsung will use Bixby (powered by Viv’s intelligence) in almost all the native apps that would come pre-installed on the Galaxy S8. Unlike S Voice, Bixby will be much more advanced, and it will work system-wide. For example, it might be come in handy inside the Gallery app where you can ask Bixby to show you pictures and videos that satisfy particular criteria (similar to Google Photos and or Apple’s Photos app in iOS 10). S Voice is likely to be replaced by Bixby in the Galaxy S8.

Samsung recently confirmed that the Galaxy S8 would feature a digital assistant, and the company even provided some details about what it would be capable of. Bixby will be able to offer answers and actions based on the context, much like Google Assistant and Apple’s Siri. However, it remains to be seen how Google will react to Bixby. Samsung will also update most of the native apps with a new UI so that they all have a similar design. Another important update regarding the software on the Galaxy S8 is that the status bar will always be visible, so you won’t have to swipe twice to access notifications and quick setting toggles.

It is being expected that the Galaxy S8 will be announced sometime in April 2017, a delay of two months compared to Samsung’s usual release cycle. It might feature a 2K Super AMOLED display with curved edges and possibly 5-inch and 6-inch screen sizes, an improved rear-facing camera, a front-facing camera with autofocus, an optical fingerprint scanner, a USB Type-C port, and a slick design. There is a high possibility that the Galaxy S8 won’t have a 3.5mm headphone jack, although there is nothing confirmed at this point in time.

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