Samsung's delayed digital voice assistant Bixby may finally launch NEXT WEEK

  • Bixby is Samsung's smart assistant, similar to Apple's Siri and Amazon's Alexa 
  • It was scheduled to be released with the Galaxy S8 in April but was delayed
  • Previous reports suggested it was 'struggling to comprehend English'
  • Reddit user posted a screenshot of an email saying it would launch on 18 July

By PHOEBE WESTON FOR MAILONLINE

Published: | Updated:

Samsung's digital assistant Bixby might finally find its voice next week after previous reports suggested it was 'struggling to comprehend English'.

When the Samsung Galaxy S8 was released in April, users were disappointed to find that their device was missing Bixby, the firm's highly-anticipated digital assistant.

But now that might be about to change as a Reddit user posted a screenshot of an email saying it would launch on July 18.

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When the Samsung Galaxy S8 was released in April, users were disappointed to find that their device was missing Bixby, the firm's highly-anticipated digital assistant

When the Samsung Galaxy S8 was released in April, users were disappointed to find that their device was missing Bixby, the firm's highly-anticipated digital assistant

WHAT IS BIXBY?

According to Samsung, Bixby is 'a completely new way to use your Galaxy S8 or S8+.'

Users can use voice, text, or touch to say what they need, since it understands all three.

Alternatively, users can take pictures on their camera, and Bixby will search for objects within the picture.

Samsung added: 'It's integrated into every aspect of the Galaxy S8 and S8+, so it's able to handle the tasks you normally do on your phone and it's constantly learning your ways so it can get better and better.' 

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Reddit user Bixbyguy posted; 'The long awaited Bixby Voice launches Tuesday, 7/18.'

'Below are a few tasks we need to complete to ensure we are retail ready!'

The post does not mention if it will be a global roll out.  

According to Tech Radar, when the original post went up it had information on how to market the Galaxy S8.

Bixby is Samsung's digital assistant that can answer questions, set reminders and perform tasks, much like Apple's Siri, and Amazon's Alexa.

But Samsung has been plagued with issues with the smart assistant, forcing the firm to delay its launch.

While the voice-enabled assistant has been available in Korea, where Samsung is based, a report indicated that Bixby was 'struggling to understand English syntax and grammar.'

In a statement last month, a Samsung spokesperson said: 'Bixby Voice benefits from time to further enhance natural language understanding, and we are currently growing our user testing in the US to prepare for launch.'

The spokesperson also noted that other Bixby features, like Bixby Vision, which uses the S8's camera, are already live worldwide.

Reddit user Bixbyguy posted; 'The long awaited Bixby Voice launches Tuesday, 7/18. Below are a few tasks we need to complete to ensure we are retail ready!'

Reddit user Bixbyguy posted; 'The long awaited Bixby Voice launches Tuesday, 7/18. Below are a few tasks we need to complete to ensure we are retail ready!'

Samsung previously said Bixby would be available in the spring.

The global roll out of the Galaxy S8 took place on 21 April.

But Samsung announced that it had delayed the launch of Bixby just days before. 

While Samsung did not give a reason for this delay, previous reports suggested the software was lacking in the days ahead of its launch

While Samsung did not give a reason for this delay, previous reports suggested the software was lacking in the days ahead of its launch

While Samsung did not give a reason for this delay, previous reports suggested the software was lacking in the days ahead of its launch.

The giant had already warned that the feature would not be available in the UK at launch, but customers in the US were supposed to have it from day one.

Other rumours in June suggested Samsung was rumoured to be working on a new smart speaker featuring its voice assistant.

The secret project is codenamed Vega, although little is known about the details of the device.

The speakers could be competition for Amazon Echo and Apple's forthcoming HomePod.

 

 

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