Samsung’s updated Bixby voice assistant for its smart TVs throws its predecessor under the bus
We’re sorry for original Bixby.
Samsung has updated its Bixby voice assistant for its newer range of smart TVs, as announced via its official newsroom portal.
The new version is called Smarter Bixby, which sounds cute until it implies that the previous Bixby was… noticeably less smart.
“With a smarter Bixby, we focused on making AI practical, helping viewers connect with content in smarter, more natural ways,” said Hun Lee, Executive Vice President of the Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics.
Smarter Bixby is a smart alec
Despite its name, Smarter Bixby truly does more than previous Bixby on Samsung TVs.
The Samsung TV user can now wake the TV up via voice, and press the microphone button (on the remote) to start a natural conversation. No typing or menus required.
Smarter Bixby is also now able to understand context and follow-up questions, reducing the friction between searches. The examples given include asking for playlist suggestions, or asking about on-screen content such as specific actors in a show.
Click To Search is also expanded with more discovery avenues, across live TV, cable channels, and Samsung TV Plus.
In addition, Smarter Bixby can make Samsung TVs detect and connect to other SmartThings home appliances, on top of the user giving home appliance commands via the TV’s voice assistant. Examples given by Samsung include turning off ovens and setting air conditioning to a specific temperature, helping to turn the TV into a hub for smart homes.
Rollout and availability
Samsung 2025 Neo QLED 4K.
Samsung said that Smarter Bixby will be available on 2025 Samsung TVs, which include Neo QLED, OLED, The Frame, and QLED models.
Availability begins in South Korea, and will gradually roll out to Samsung’s global market in phases.
Source: Samsung (newsroom)