Samsung is reviving Bixby with help from Perplexity AI (www.techradar.com)

Samsung is set to revitalize its voice assistant Bixby with significant upgrades driven by Perplexity AI, promising improved natural language processing and enhanced context awareness. The revamped Bixby will be part of the public rollout of One UI 8.5, debuting first with the Galaxy S26 series. This new version is designed to deliver conversational capabilities that can better understand user intent, enabling it to perform tasks intuitively rather than relying on web searches. The integration of Perplexity allows Bixby to provide real-time web search results directly within the assistant, distinguishing it from competitors by enhancing its device management abilities alongside autonomous information retrieval. Samsung’s strategic move aims to reposition Bixby in a crowded market where it has historically been overshadowed by rivals. With these advancements, the company seeks to create an assistant that not only answers questions but also manages device settings seamlessly, striving to transform user engagement by minimizing friction in everyday interactions. If successful, this could mark a pivotal moment for Bixby and redefine how users interact with AI voice assistants.