Bixby has never been my preferred smart home voice assistant, a sentiment shared by many smart home enthusiasts. Similar to Apple’s Siri, Bixby is often considered more of an accessory for those already integrated into the broader Samsung ecosystem, falling short in features and functionality compared to Google Assistant and Alexa.
However, there might be a shift on the horizon. In a series of recent global launch events, Samsung revealed plans to enhance Bixby’s capabilities using Generative AI technology.
The Future of Bixby Enhanced by Generative AI
Details are scarce at this early stage, as Samsung only briefly touched on Bixby’s potential in their presentation. Nevertheless, the implications are intriguing. The upcoming iteration of Bixby is expected to excel in holding natural conversations and leveraging Generative AI to comprehend complex commands while retaining contextual information to streamline smart home operations.
For instance, users could instruct Bixby to “activate Wind-Free mode on the AC and provide a weather update,” a task that typically necessitates separate commands on most voice assistants.
Moreover, users will have the flexibility to command Bixby to “switch off the air purifier,” pause, and subsequently add “oh, and the TV as well.” Bixby will intelligently link the second request to the initial one, demonstrating its contextual awareness.
The Resurgence of Bixby?
Since its debut seven years ago, Bixby has faced challenges in establishing a distinct identity amidst stiff competition, particularly from Google Assistant, omnipresent on Android devices, including Samsung’s premier smartphones. The evolution of closed-ecosystem assistants like Siri has been sluggish, even in the era of interconnected devices and the emergence of Matter.
Hence, the recent announcement comes as a surprise. While Amazon’s Alexa has hinted at forthcoming Generative AI features, Google appears more focused on enhancing the mobile experience for Google Assistant. Noteworthy is Google Assistant’s latest enhancement, the smart home script editor.
Anticipation mounts for Apple’s announcements at WWDC, with speculations swirling around Siri’s AI advancements possibly surpassing ChatGPT. Samsung’s preemptive move to unveil Bixby’s enhancement ahead of Apple and Google is unexpected yet commendable.
Samsung’s strategic positioning in the smart home domain, particularly with its range of Bixby-enabled large appliances, underscores its commitment to smart home technology. Unlike its competitors, Samsung is leveraging its prowess in manufacturing smart appliances, signaling a significant foray into this sector. However, the premium pricing of these products may delay widespread adoption.
The competition among voice assistants intensifies, with the outcome uncertain. While I remain cautious about backing Bixby as the frontrunner, Samsung’s AI initiatives warrant close observation as they strive to make their mark in the smart home landscape.
