A day ahead of Galaxy S8/S8+ official launch, Samsung has taken over the chance from power users to customise the Bixby button to perform other functions.
To recap, Samsung introduced a dedicated Bixby button with an option that could let third-party change the button’s purpose. According to report by XDA Developers, previously the button’s command was intercepted by Accessibility Services built into Android OS that would have allowed other apps to change its default function, like to open up a favourite app.
However, now, the firm will be using an over-the-air (OTA) update to block users from the ability to remap the Bixby button.
Bixby was unveiled as the headline feature of the Galaxy S8 in late March, with the smartphone featuring a dedicated button on the left side to activate the feature.
The new Samsung’s voice assistant is off to a rough start. In an earlier statement, Samsung confirmed it will not support voice commands until “later this spring.”
The assistant’s other key features, including a “Bixby Vision” that identifies real-world object and related info on-screen, “Bixby Home” that serves up Google-like info cards and “Bixby Remainder” that helps set reminders will be available with the global launch, Samsung said in a statement.
With the launch of Bixby, Samsung was aiming to break into a surging market of voice- activated virtual assistants, which includes Apple’s Siri, Amazon’s Alexa, Google’s Assistant and Microsoft’s Cortana.
However, some early analysers had revealed their disappointments from the voice-assistant when it failed to speak during the demonstration.
Last year Samsung acquired US artificial intelligence platform developer Viv Lab, a firm run by a co-creator of Apple’s Siri voice assistant program.
Samsung could be taking a chance to infuse Viv technology into Bixby for its better functionality.
