Samsung Introduces Bixby for Windows 11 Laptops
Samsung has launched a version of Bixby for the new Microsoft Windows 11 operating system. The voice assistant is available as an app on the Microsoft Store for any device running Windows 11, though Samsung designed it to work best with its Galaxy Book series of laptops.
Bixby Windows
Bixby works on Windows 11 much as it does on smartphones and other devices, just integrated with the operating system and given some additional features. Users can awaken the voice assistant by saying Hi, Bixby, and ask it to find, open, and run most facets of the computer. Bixby will look for and open files and images, adjust settings or share the time and local weather. Bixby on Windows can also connect and run any smart home devices registered through Samsung’s SmartThings platform. The voice assistant’s functions are very reminiscent of Microsoft Cortana, but with Samsung’s spin on the concept.
Like Cortana, the Bixby commands can also be typed if the user would rather not rely on voice controls. Samsung developed Bixby for Windows 11 as a way to deepen the connection between the Galaxy Book laptops and the rest of its Galaxy device ecosystem. That’s why the app works best for Galaxy Book computers, to make shifting between a Galaxy smartphone or tablet and the Galaxy Book as seamless as possible. The new Galaxy Book Pro 360 5G will be Samsung’s first to be sold with Windows 11 installed, though the other Galaxy Book models will be upgraded soon.
“Much like the mobile-forward experiences set to come to users with the introduction of Windows 11, Samsung’s Galaxy Book series has been designed following careful observation of changing lifestyle trends and needs in order to develop devices that maximize mobility and work effortlessly with your other Galaxy devices at home and at work,” Samsung explained in a blog post. “Furthermore, for even more mobility with your device, Samsung has introduced Bixby on Windows for Galaxy Book users to provide an intuitive way for you to interact with your PC. Through simple voice commands, you can search for files, open apps and Settings and even control devices within your SmartThings-registered device ecosystem.”
Bixby Boom
The new app continues Samsung’s streak of upgrades and improvements to Bixby. Most recently, Bixby added speech-to-text transcription moved its processing operations out of the cloud, boosting efficiency. Earlier this year, Bixby started personalizing app preferences and eliminated the need for wake word training. The rumor last summer that Samsung would shut down or sell off Bixby was already unlikely after Samsung revamped Bixby’s interface last December, despite Samsung shutting down Bixby Vision and reassigning the Bixby developer marketing team. The Windows 11 integration further cements that fact, even if some hoped that virtual human Sam would take Bixby’s place.
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