If you use Samsung products, including its smartphones and home appliances in particular, you might be aware of its in-house Bixby assistant. In the AI era, where Gemini and ChatGPT are dominating, Bixby feels dated. That being said, Samsung hasn’t given up on Bixby.
Why am I saying this? Well, fresh leaks surfaced on the internet suggest that Samsung is planning a massive update for Bixby with the upcoming One UI 8.5 update. Per the leaked details, including screenshots first reported by SamMobile, the South Korean tech giant could finally revamp Bixby into a full-fledged AI assistant capable of doing what everyone still expects out of it.
Samsung’s One UI 8.5 update could finally make Bixby an all-in-one AI hub
The news outlet reports that the leak, originally shared by a developer and app tinkerer on Reddit, shows Bixby pulling information from the internet with the help of Perplexity integration. But that’s not the only third-party service Samsung is taking help from, as the leaked screenshots mention names like The Weather Channel, HERE Maps, SkyScanner, and Uber. Given the leaked details, it appears that Samsung is looking to make Bixby an all-in-one hub for information and everyday tasks.
So, how exactly does everything work, you may ask, right? Well, when summoned, Bixby opens in a mini pop-up window, allowing you to continue conversations over whatever content is on-screen. You can like or dislike responses, copy text, and tap a ‘Sources’ button to view more details on Perplexity’s app or website. This makes checking facts or exploring topics more seamless than ever.
The app itself will keep a record of previous conversations, which can be accessed later via a side menu. You can also interact with Bixby to perform device-related tasks, such as toggling Bluetooth, activating Dark Mode, or turning on the flashlight. One of the standout features appears to be document and image analysis, which allows the AI to analyze uploaded files.
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Bixby Live could be Samsung’s version of Google’s Gemini Live
Apart from these features, the leaked screenshots also offer a peek at Bixby Live, which brings real-time conversational responses, similar to Google Gemini Live, with multiple dialogue styles including General Agent, Interview, Listening Ear, Positive Speaker, Storyteller, and Tour Guide. Another feature, Circle to Ask, similar to Google’s “Circle to Search,” appears to enable contextual AI queries on the fly.
The camera and screen-sharing options in Bixby Live could further expand its usability. You might be able to share your viewfinder to receive translations, solve problems, or discuss what the camera sees in real time. The AI Solver mode could assist students with homework, while Translation mode offers live language translation. Meanwhile, the General mode appears to handle everyday queries with ease.
All that said, it’s unclear whether all features discussed above will launch with One UI 8.5 or remain under wraps. Not to forget, One UI 8.5 is expected to debut alongside the Galaxy S26 series next month. However, Samsung hasn’t confirmed rollout plans for older devices.
Article’s in-content image source: Reddit/u/Proshis_Saha_Swopna
