Samsung is finally allowing users to disable the Bixby button on Galaxy 8 and Note 8 phones.
Many users haven’t felt the need for the dedicated button or have been annoyed by how often its placement caused them to accidentally launch the assistant – but until now Samsung wouldn’t allow users to turn it off.
The latest Bixby update, however, includes a new toggle that lets you choose to disable the launching of Bixby Home from the button.
Samsung is finally allowing users to disable the Bixby button on Galaxy 8 and Note 8 phones. To do so, install the update, open the new toggle or Bixby setting, and select ‘don’t open anything’
To disable the button, install the update, open the new toggle or Bixby setting, and select ‘don’t open anything.’
Users, however, cannot disable Bixby itself – this will only disable the command from the dedicated Bixby button, and users can still swipe left or use voice commands to summon the assistant.
And while the Bixby button can be disabled, it can’t be assigned to do anything else.
Due to users’ frustration with the button, third-party developers have created apps that allowed users to remap the button to launch different apps instead, but Samsung blocked these.
It appears that the option is rolling out slowly to Galaxy 8 and Note 8 users, as the option to turn it off has been appearing on only some of the Bixby-enabled devices so far.
Users, however, cannot disable Bixby itself – this will only disable the command from the dedicated Bixby button, and users can still swipe left or use voice commands to summon the assistant. And while the Bixby button can be disabled, it can’t be assigned to do anything else
Reception so far has been mixed, with some users telling Sammobile – which spotted the update – they are happy with it and others declaring the update useless.
‘Best update ever! So happy of no mistake bixby launch,’ wrote one users.
‘This is great. Really happy with this option, I hate Bixby button,’ wrote another.
On the other side, one user wrote: ‘Unless this update removes the bixby button I don’t care about it.’
Several said they attempted to disable the button but that it continued launching Bixby as it did before.
After delays caused Bixby to only be available in the US and South Korea for the first few months after launch, Samsung finally launched its voice assistant in more than 200 countries worldwide last month.
The launch will come as a huge relief to Samsung, which suffered major delays as Bixby ‘struggled to understand English.’
Bixby is a smart assistant, similar to Apple’s Siri and Microsoft’s Cortana.
After delays caused Bixby to only be available in the US and South Korea for the first few months after launch, Samsung finally launched its voice assistant in more than 200 countries worldwide last month
It operates through ‘Quick Commands’ – a feature that allows users to create custom voice commands.
For example, users can use the command ‘good night’ as a shortcut for ‘Turn on Do-not-disturb mode, set an alarm for 6:00am and turn on blue light filter.’
The voice assistant can also use deep learning technology to understand the way you speak, ask questions, and make requests.
For example, if you take a photo and then tell Bixby to ‘send the picture just taken to Mum,’ the assistant will know which photo you are referring to and will text it to your mum.
SAMSUNG GALAXY S8 SPECS
Samsung is hoping that it’s new high spec flagship can take on the iPhone
Processor: Exynos Octa core (2.3GHz quad + 1.7GHz quad) 10nm SoC
Screen: 5.8-inch Quad HD+, 2960 x 1440p, 570ppi
Wireless: LTE Cat 16
Primary Camera: 12-megapixel, f/1.7, OIS
Front-facing Camera: 8-megapixel, f/1.7, AF
Memory: 4GB LPDDR4 RAM
Storage: 64GB, microSD expansion to 256GB
Battery: 3,000mAh
Dimensions: 148.9 x 68.1 x 8.0mm, 155g
OS: Android 7.0
Connectivity: Wi-Fi, USB Type-C, NFC, GPS, Galileo, Glonass
Bixby also improves over time to recognise your personal preferences and style of speaking.
Rather than operating as a standalone app, Bixby acts as an intelligent interface and can be integrated into other apps.
When an application becomes Bixby-enabled, the assistant will support almost every task that the application is capable of performing using voice, touch, or text.
Bixby is a smart assistant that operates through ‘Quick Commands’ – a feature that allows users to create custom voice commands
Bixby was initially available in South Korea with the launch of the Galaxy S8 in May, and was then launched in the US on 19 July, before launching worldwide last month.
Injong Rhee, Executive Vice President and Head of R&D, Software and Services of the Mobile Communications Business at Samsung Electronics, said: ‘Now millions of customers worldwide have access to a new and intelligent way of interacting with their phone.’
‘The expansion of Bixby’s voice capabilities is an initial step in the continued rollout of Bixby functionality.’
‘In the future, Bixby will have the learning power to offer more intelligent and personalized interactions and seamless connections across more devices.’
Samsung has been plagued with issues with the smart assistant.