Like Alexa and Google Assistant, Bixby is another voice assistant, but this one is exclusive to Samsung devices. Here’s everything you need to know about it.
We’ve all heard of Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri, but what’s all the fuss about this Bixby character? Yet another voice assistant that’s built into smartphones and tablets, Bixby is Samsung’s virtual assistant. If you own something with the ‘Galaxy’ sub-label, you can use Samsung’s digitized companion to do all kinds of things.
Like its competitors, Bixby has a ton of capabilities, but it’s a little different from the rest of the class. Here’s a guide to teach you everything you need to know about the Samsung voice assistant. And be sure to check back regularly, as voice assistants change and evolve all the time.What is Bixby?
As mentioned above, Bixby is a virtual assistant for Samsung smartphones that can follow voice commands, screen phone calls, allow you to control your camera hands-free, and more. It’s an extremely helpful tool that was introduced in the Galaxy S7 series in 2017 and has become an established part of the Galaxy brand ever since. Bixby is available on a wide number of Samsung devices, including things such as its foldable offerings as well as Galaxy tablets.
Often compared to the likes of Siri and Google Assistant, Bixby does have a lot of similarities to other virtual assistants. However, it has some helpful features that make it truly unique and a helpful tool for anyone looking to get the most out of their Galaxy devices.What can Bixby do?
There are a lot of helpful things that Bixby can do to make your Galaxy experience smoother. The virtual assistant can help you take care of simple tasks using voice commands or screen calls, but it can also be programmed to perform certain tasks called “Bixby Routines” every time a specific trigger happens. For example, you can have Bixby set specific alarms for you depending on your morning routine, which can change each day, or you can set specific apps to open at specific times depending on your phone usage routine.
One tool that sets Bixby apart from its other virtual assistant counterparts is Bixby Vision. Bixby Vision uses your camera to view specific items or landmarks and help you make more informed life decisions around them. While that may sound a little vague, that’s just because the uses for Bixby Vision are so diverse.
For example, you can use it to scan a makeup kit, and it can allow you to virtually try it on before deciding if you want to purchase it or not. Another thing that Bixby Vision can do is scan your surroundings if you’re out somewhere and come up with a list of recommended nearby activities and restaurants. While other virtual assistants do offer similar services, it’s the ease of use and integration between features that gives Bixby Vision its unique level of helpfulness.
At its core, Bixby can be used as a simple virtual assistant for operating your device hands-free, or it can be a more central part of your smartphone-using experience depending on your phone usage habits. To see how Bixby holds up to other AI options, check out our full Google Assistant vs. Bixby comparison.What devices have Bixby?
Following its introduction in 2017, Bixby has become a staple of Galaxy devices as it’s been included in a large number of them, ranging from the more modestly priced models to each year’s latest flagship.
Bixby is included with all Galaxy S models, which includes the S10, S20, S21, S22, S23, and S24 series. It’s also available on mid-range Galaxy A models such as the A51, A52, A53, A54, A71, A72, and A73.
Bixby is also included in all versions of both the Galaxy Z Fold and the Galaxy Z Flip. In terms of tablet offerings, Samsung’s flagship tablets — the Tab S line — feature Bixby in all recent models, including the Tab S6, S7, S8, and S9.
As a general rule of thumb, if you have a Galaxy device from the last few years, you likely have Bixby on it, you may just not know it.Getting started with Bixby and Bixby Voice
Pulling up Samsung Bixby and Bixby Voice couldn’t be easier.
