With the launch of the artificial intelligence revolution, many expected Samsung to provide its assistant, Bixby, with advanced smart capabilities, but this did not materialize with the latest versions of the One UI interface. Now, new leaks indicate that this awaited update is closer than ever.
A Reddit user shared screenshots of his custom device running One UI 8.5, revealing a new, smarter version of Bixby.
According to what appeared in the images, the assistant relies primarily on Perplexity AI technologies to carry out its tasks, which confirms the validity of previous rumors about Samsung’s partnership with Perplexity.
The development is not limited to that, as Bixby also integrates with several external services, including The Weather Channel, HERE Maps, Skyscanner, and Uber, which expands the scope of its use in daily life.
The new assistant is distinguished by its ability to remain active on top of other applications, allowing you to interact with it at any time. You can also rate his answers with admiration or disliking, and follow the conversation smoothly, in addition to accessing the sources directly via a dedicated button that leads to the Perplexity website or application.
Of course, the Bixby app continues to save conversation history and perform basic tasks, such as turning off Bluetooth or activating dark mode, in addition to executing other simple commands on the phone. It is also possible to upload documents and discuss them in a pre-defined manner.
Interestingly, Samsung has also worked to provide its own alternatives to some Google Gemini features. For example, Circle To Ask comes as an alternative to Circle to Search, while Bixby Live seems capable of performing tasks almost similar to Gemini Live. You can share the screen with Bixby Live and discuss its content, or share the camera view and talk about the surrounding environment.
Although the new Bixby and its related features seem almost ready to launch with One UI 8.5, the matter is still uncertain. Samsung may prefer to continue testing these improvements internally for a longer period before officially rolling them out to users.
