Samsung Electronics has announced a beta program for the latest version of Bixby, upgrading the assistant to operate as a conversational device agent. The update enables natural language-based device control on Galaxy devices and adds access to live information from the open web.
Conversational device agent in One UI 8.5
In One UI 8.5, Bixby is designed to understand everyday language for device interaction, allowing users to manage settings and features without knowing exact menu names or command structures. Users can describe what they want or ask why a specific behaviour is occurring, and Bixby interprets the intent and responds accordingly.
Key capabilities include:
- Natural language control of device settings and features
- No requirement to remember exact setting names or menu paths
- Intent-based responses that trigger relevant actions
- Context-aware suggestions based on the device’s current configuration
- Direct access to related settings when explaining device behaviour
For example, if a user says they do not want the screen to turn off while they are still viewing it, Bixby can enable the relevant screen setting directly. If a user asks why the phone screen remains active while inside a pocket, Bixby can surface options such as accidental touch protection and allow it to be enabled from the response.
Real-time web search integration
The updated Bixby also supports real-time web search through integration with Perplexity. This allows access to up-to-date information from the open web, with results displayed directly within the Bixby interface, without redirecting users to a separate browser or application.
Users can, for example, ask Bixby to find hotels in Seoul that have swimming pools for children, and relevant live results are shown within the same interface.
Availability
Samsung said the updated Bixby experience will initially be available via the One UI 8.5 beta in select markets, with broader availability planned later.
Speaking on the update, Won-Joon Choi, Chief Operating Officer, Mobile eXperience (MX) Business at Samsung Electronics, said:
Since we introduced our first AI phone in 2024, we have focused on making devices easier to use so more people can benefit from AI — which is why we chose to integrate a device agent directly into the experience. To support this shift, we redesigned Bixby to enable more natural interactions and intuitive device control, helping reduce friction in everyday tasks.