Bixby’s introduction in 2017 laid the groundwork for the creation of a connected, open ecosystem of devices and services that allows you to get more done, more comfortably. Now, the platform’s latest update has introduced even more ways for users to simplify their day, including the all-new ability to customize your Galaxy device’s Bixby key in a way that works for you.

The Bixby key allows you to access Bixby anytime, anywhere, with a simple press of a button. When the Bixby was first introduced, a single press would pull up Bixby Home, while a press and hold would allow you to speak to Bixby directly. The new Bixby takes the Bixby key’s convenience to the next level by allowing you to use it to instantly activate an app or one of your Quick commands of your choosing.

To facilitate this handy function, Samsung incorporated the ability to launch Bixby main page with either a single or double press, and customize the remaining option to activate a favorite feature. As Samsung’s Executive Vice President and Head of Software and Artificial Intelligence, Eui-Suk Chung, explained, adding this capability allows users to access frequently used Quick commands or apps faster and more flexibly.

“Our top priority is to offer our consumers the best possible experiences,” said Chung. “So we’re constantly listening to and learning from them. Because they’ve expressed that they’d like more tools to get things done quickly and easily, we decided to offer them the freedom to customize the Bixby key.”

Another useful function of the Bixby key lies in Bixby’s enhanced Dictation feature. Sometimes, it can be very inconvenient to have to manually type out a long text, email or memo on a small keyboard. Bixby’s Dictation function simplifies these situations by allowing you to use the Bixby key to quickly and easily dictate your message directly into your phone. With the keyboard open, simply press and hold the Bixby key to begin your message, and release it once you’ve said what you want to say. It’s as simple as that.

Since first introducing it in 2017, Samsung has consistently improved Bixby based on users’ feedback. One of the ways that the company enhanced the Bixby key specifically was by minimizing instances of accidental Bixby activations. When the Bixby key is pressed while your phone is in your pocket, or when your screen is locked, because it’s unlikely that you intended to do so, the Bixby key has been calibrated not to launch Bixby in these situations.

The next part of the Bixby key’s enhancement process involved enabling the key to launch Bixby with a double press. When using your phone to watch a video or take a picture, for instance, accidentally pressing the Bixby key could interrupt your enjoyment. Adding this capability minimizes this inconvenience, as users are not likely to press the Bixby key twice by mistake.

As Chung explained, going forward, Samsung will continue to enrich the Bixby key with new capabilities that add convenience to users’ lives. “Our guiding rule at Samsung is to evolve our products and technologies in ways that are meaningful to consumers,” said Chung. “Just as Bixby’s evolution is ongoing, so too is the Bixby key’s.”

Now, with the introduction of the Galaxy S10 line, Samsung has taken Bixby to the next level – introducing new capabilities to Bixby Voice and Bixby Vision, as well as more ways to make users’ lives easier with personalized Bixby Routines.

Let’s take a closer look at how Bixby’s newest tools will help you streamline your day.

Simplify Your Routine

We all have our routines that help us manage our day, and time is, of course, precious. That’s why Samsung developed Bixby Routines – a clever feature that allows Bixby to learn your unique routines and recommend ways to save more time.

Bixby Routines utilizes machine learning to analyze your personal patterns and preferences based on how you use your phone. It uses that insight to suggest easily configurable routines – incorporating specific native apps, settings or features – that can instantly automate multiple tasks to make your life easier.

In addition to offering nine convenient preset options, Bixby Routines presents you with up to six personalized routines – based on how you use your phone at certain times and places – that minimize the steps required to get things done. For example, when you go to bed, your Galaxy S10 may run your personal “Before Bed” routine, which may include automatically turning on Night Mode, lowering the brightness, and muting sound. It’s as simple – and convenient – as that.

Instant Insight with Bixby Vision

Featuring a built-in AI that provides better image recognition and is capable of recognizing a wide range of objects, the camera’s enhanced Bixby Vision function places all-new AR capabilities at users’ fingertips.

Bixby Vision’s expanded Lens Mode features a variety of image-recognition options, including a new Wish List option. When you see a product you’re interested in buying, Wish List makes it easy to save it for later reference.¹

The new Apps Mode offers users more convenient ways to utilize AR in their everyday lives. Use it to, for instance, virtually try on a new pair of sunglasses or some new makeup, or see how your hair would look dyed, or how your living space would look if you added an appliance or piece of furniture that you’re interested in buying.²

Apps Mode also makes it easy to learn more about movies you’re interested in through its new Picture Play³ feature. When you see a poster for an upcoming release, simply show it to Bixby and it’ll instantly play the trailer.

Hands-Free Convenience

Galaxy device users are used to asking Bixby to help them search the web, make a reservation, or launch an app when their hands are full. Now, Bixby’s new Voice Unlock⁴ feature allows you to activate and interact with Bixby when your phone is locked for an even more comfortable user experience.

Bixby Voice Unlock creates a convenient way to utilize Bixby when your phone is out of reach. Say you’re in the middle of making dinner and you need to double check exactly how much of a particular ingredient the recipe calls for. With Bixby Voice Unlock, rather than smudging up your screen with sauce and bits of food, you can simply say “Hi Bixby” to unlock your phone, and then ask Bixby to pull up the recipe for you.

Make Bixby Your Own

To offer users more freedom to utilize Bixby’s handy button, the Galaxy S10 introduces Bixby Key Customization.⁵ Now, you can customize the button to launch Bixby with either a single or double press, and map the other option to launch your favorite app or Quick command. It’s just another convenient way to make Bixby your own.

Speaking of Quick commands, Bixby’s update also makes it easy to share customized Quick commands with your friends.

Quick commands make using Bixby even more convenient by allowing you to replace one or more commands with a simple word or phrase. The opportunities for personalization are endless, and your Quick commands can also be saved as shortcut icons on your phone’s home screen for easy access.⁶ This is especially useful in situations when you’d rather not speak out loud. So for example, when you’re heading into a theater, if you tap the icon for your “Movie Time” Quick command, Bixby will instantly switch your phone to silent mode, turn on “Do not disturb,” reduce brightness completely, and turn off the screen so you can sit back, relax, and enjoy the film without interruptions.

And now, with the Galaxy S10, if you’ve crafted the perfect Quick command and you want to send it to someone else, you can simply tap “share” to instantly send it as a link via text message or messaging app.⁷

1 Availability will vary by country.

2 Availability will vary by country.

3 Availability will vary by country.

4 Bixby Voice Unlock is compatible with the Galaxy S10, and will be available via a software update on previously released Bixby-enabled flagship smartphones running Android Pie OS.

5 Bixby Key Customization is compatible with the Galaxy S10, and will be available via a software update on previously released Bixby-enabled flagship smartphones running Android Pie OS.

6 Quick command’s “Add to Home screen” function is available on the Galaxy S10, and will be available via a software update on previously released Bixby-enabled flagship smartphones running Android Pie OS.

7 Quick command’s “Sharing” function is available on the Galaxy S10, and will be available via a software update on previously released Bixby-enabled flagship smartphones running Android Pie OS.