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Update to Bixby allows some users to create a custom wake phrase, use Text Call in English, and more

By Alan Friedman

Published: Feb 22, 2023, 6:18 PM

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Update to Bixby allows some users to create a custom wake phrase, use Text Call in English, and more

Samsung's Bixby digital assistant has never really captured the love and affection of Galaxy device users. But Samsung posted a press release today announcing that Bixby has received a major update that enhances the feature. And while Google Assistant still remains the best-performing digital assistant, the update to Bixby makes it clear that Samsung has not given up on the technology. The update improves Bixby's language recognition and gives users more control over it.

One big change will allow users to create their own custom wake phrase that will activate Bixby. And this is a feature that Google Assistant cannot offer users who still must summon Google by saying, "Hey, Google" or "Ok Google." Can you customize a wake phrase to activate Siri? Come on, get real. We should point out that this feature is available in Korea only at the moment for the Galaxy S23, Galaxy S23+, and Galaxy S23 Ultra

The update now allows the Bixby Text Call feature to be used in English. With Bixby Text Call, you can answer a call by typing a message which Bixby converts to audio and communicates to the person on the other end of the phone call. While first available only for the Korean language, Samsung expects to make this feature available for other apps besides phone calls. With Bixby Custom Voice Creator, users can also change the sound of the audio message as Bixby analyzes the recordings and uses AI to make a custom reply.

The Bixby Text Call feature will now speak in English

Following the update, Bixby can play music to match the kind of workout that you're doing. First, you launch a workout using the Samsung Health app. Then, you ask Bixby to play music to match the workout by saying, "Play music for this workout." Supported apps at the moment include Melon, Bugs, Genie, and FLO. And by expanding Bixby's AI capabilities, following the update, users can be offline when asking Bixby to take a screenshot, set a timer, or turn on the flashlight.

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Bixby Text Call in English will be available on the Samsung Galaxy S23, Galaxy S23+, Galaxy S23 Ultra, Galaxy Z Fold 4, and Galaxy Z Flip 4 with One UI 5.1 installed. Bixby Custom Voice Creator will be available on the Galaxy S23, S23+, and S23 Ultra. It will work on phones with One UI 5.0 or above installed.

The Bixby updates will be disseminated this month through software updates.

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Alan, an ardent smartphone enthusiast and a veteran writer at PhoneArena since 2009, has witnessed and chronicled the transformative years of mobile technology. Owning iconic phones from the original iPhone to the iPhone 15 Pro Max, he has seen smartphones evolve into a global phenomenon. Beyond smartphones, Alan has covered the emergence of tablets, smartwatches, and smart speakers.