A forthcoming report detailing the features of One UI 9, which is built upon Android 17, highlights a significant update concerning the activation of the Bixby assistant. While the utilization metrics for Bixby have been noted as potentially declining annually, Samsung has indicated no plan to entirely discontinue the assistant. For users who rely on the assistant, the new functionality in One UI 9 introduces a gesture-based method for invoking Bixby.
Instead of relying solely on verbal commands, users will now be able to activate the assistant simply by bringing the phone close to their face. This proximity gesture is designed to trigger Bixby automatically, allowing users to begin speaking to the assistant immediately without having to preface their request with phrases such as “Bixby” or “Hello, Bixby.”
This enhancement provides users with greater flexibility in accessing the assistant. Consequently, in One UI 9, there will be three distinct methods available to call upon the Samsung assistant: using a specific keyword, employing a long-press action, and utilizing this new face-proximity gesture.
This development aims to streamline the user experience and maintain Bixby’s accessibility within the updated operating environment. The integration of this gesture is positioned as a key improvement for the assistant’s usability across the updated platform.
Topics: #bixby #new #one
