XDA Developers first reported a Galaxy S8 firmware update blocked the ability to remap the button to perform a variety of tasks. Before, the button could even be remapped to launch Google Assistant.
The Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus don’t launch until April 21, but there are review units in the wild. Samsung previously confirmed Bixby on the Galaxy S8 won’t launch with voice support.
It’s not clear if Samsung will ever support remapping the button. A representative for Samsung tweeted: “Can’t say it will never happen, but we won’t officially support.”
Bixby is Samsung’s next artificial intelligence service. It’s integrated in the software and hardware launch button on the Galaxy S8. With eventual voice support, you’re said to be able to interact conversationally with Bixby while the phone is placed up against your ear.
Set to compete with Alexa, Cortana, Siri, and Google Assistant, Samsung is planning Bixby Voice support beyond the Galaxy S8. It makes sense why Samsung might want to keep Galaxy S8 users locked in the Bixby ecosystem.
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