Samsung Bixby: What it is and how it can make your life easier
Bixby is Samsung’s version of Google Assistant and Apple Siri voice assistants. It’s available on most Samsung devices, including TVs, refrigerators, phones, and tablets. Don’t confuse it withGalaxy AI, Samsung’s generative AI technology found in the latest Samsung devices, such as theGalaxy S24 Ultra.
Despite Samsung preinstalling it on all its tablets and phones, Bixby never achieved the awareness of Siri or Google Assistant. Whether you recently picked up a Samsung phone or have owned one for years, this guide breaks down what Bixby does and its pros and cons compared to other voice assistants.
What is Bixby?
Samsung’s Bixby voice assistant lets you control many of the company’s devices hands-free. Through voice commands, Bixby can send text messages, check the weather, call friends and family, launch apps, and control music playback.
Bixby’s integration with system settings and certain third-party apps sets it apart from Google Assistant, Apple Siri, and Amazon Alexa. Samsung’s voice assistant can change the brightness level, toggle auto-rotate on and off, take a selfie, play music on Spotify, reply to an email in Gmail, and more. you may also use Bixby routines, which trigger multiple actions with one prompt.
Bixby works with Samsung’s Smart Things platform to allow you to control smart home devices with your voice.
The other two digital assistants let you control basic system settings or send messages to friends and family. However, they cannot open your Instagram direct messages or show your YouTube subscription list like Bixby can. This sets Bixby apart from the competition.
Another advantage Bixby has over Google Assistant is that it supports on-device processing for many basic commands. This allows the voice assistant to work offline and process many daily use commands without being connected to the internet. You must download an on-device Bixby package before you can enjoy this mode.
To set up and use Bixby, you must sign up or log in to your Samsung account.
How to set up and use Bixby
Bixby is available on all Samsung smartphones. You don’t need to download a separate app from the Play Store to use it. There are multiple ways to bring up Bixby on your Samsung phone:
If Bixby isn’t accessible via the side button, use the steps below to make changes.
When you first launch Bixby on your phone, it asks you to pick a voice to get answers. Tap the radio button beside your preferred voice sample and tapContinue. Check the number of permissions Bixby uses to function correctly and tapContinue.
You are all set to explore Samsung’s digital assistant. You can give it the following commands:
The Bixby experience is divided into multiple parts: Bixby Voice, Bixby Vision, Bixby Commands, and Bixby Text Call.
Bixby Voice
The voice part of the assistant lets you interact with it using the “Hi, Bixby” command. However, you must set up Bixby Voice before using the hotword. Say “Hi, Bixby” multiple times so that the digital assistant recognizes your voice. Follow the steps below to activate and use Bixby voice wake-up.
You can turn on theSpeak seamlesslytoggle to issue commands without waiting for feedback. After setting up Bixby Voice, ask the digital assistant any question or give it any command you wish.
You don’t always have to trigger Bixby to talk to it. In some scenarios, you can say a relevant command to Bixby without using the hotword first. For example, you can say “Answer phone” or “Reject call” to accept or decline the call during an incoming call. Similarly, you can dismiss or snooze an alarm through Bixby by saying “Dismiss alarm” or “snooze.” Follow the steps below to enjoy it.
Bixby Vision
Bixby Vision is Samsung’s take on Google Lens. The feature allows you to point the camera toward an object to get more information about it. Similarly, it’s possible to scan an image using Bixby Vision to copy text from it, translate languages in real time, identify objects, or read out text.
Bixby commands
Samsung offers aGoogle Assistant Routines-like feature dubbed Bixby commands with its digital assistant. Use the feature to automate certain tasks on your phone based on a single command. Let’s check it in action.
The steps above are just the beginning. The possibilities are endless. For example, say “Good Morning” to Bixby to turn off DND, turn on Always on Display, check the weather, read today’s schedule, and run other actions.
Make your phone work for you
Bixby Text Call
Call screeningis one of the best features of Google Pixel phones, and Samsung’s version is Bixby Text Call. Introduced with theAndroid 13-based One UI 5 update in South Korea and expanded to add English support inOne UI 5.1, Bixby Text Call screens incoming phone calls.
The virtual assistant transcribes what the other person on the phone is saying in real time. You can respond by typing your message or selecting a quick response. This is a great feature, especially if you receive calls from unknown numbers throughout the day and don’t want to answer them.
Bixby Text Call is available in English on almost all Samsung devices running One UI 5.1, including theSamsung Galaxy S23 series.
How to activate Bixby Text Call
How to use Bixby Text Call
When the feature is activated, you’ll see a Bixby Text Call option when an incoming call comes in.
Bixby Text Call only works for incoming voice calls. It cannot be used for VoIP or video calls.
Which devices does Bixby support?
Bixby comes preinstalled on all mid-range and flagship Samsung Galaxy phones and tablets launched in 2017.
In addition to smartphones and tablets, Bixby is available on Samsung’s smart TVs, Galaxy Home smart speakers, Family Hub 2.0 and Bespoke refrigerators, and Galaxy smartwatches. It is the only voice assistant available on these non-mobile devices.
Bixby is deactivated by default on newer devices like theSamsung Galaxy S24. You must activate the voice assistant before you could use it.
The Galaxy S8, Note 8, S9, and S10 series shipped with a dedicated Bixby button. However, Samsung removed the button on newer devices and merged its functionality with the power button.
Samsung continues improving Bixby … slowly
Bixby has struggled to establish itself on Android devices dominated by Google Assistant, but Samsung regularly updates the voice assistant with useful new features. Still, nothing is stopping you from using multiple voice assistants simultaneously. If you’re struggling to pick between Bixby orGoogle Assistant, activate them both.
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