Samsung Electronics upgrades Galaxy digital assistant

[Courtesy of Samsung Electronics]

Samsung Electronics Co. gave the artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities of its flagship Galaxy series a boost by integrating a voice recognition feature.

The company said on Monday that it embedded the functions into its digital assistant, Bixby.

AI functions that are offered by the virtual assistant include real-time interpretation, translation, website summarization, and note assistance, the company said. Previously, users had to manually navigate to the interpretation app from the menu on the Galaxy S24 but with this update, users can simply instruct Bixby via voice command to activate the interpretation function.

“Users can now perform functions such as real-time translation and spell checks with just a few words, as well as create website summaries and organize files into automated notes,” the company said.

These functions, available via Bixby, will initially be available in eight languages, including Korean, English (U.S., U.K., India), Chinese, German, Spanish (Peninsular, Americas), Italian, Portuguese, and French.

Although users can only use Galaxy AI via the Galaxy S24 devices, major devices from previous generations are likely to be updated with Galaxy AI, including the Galaxy S23 series, Galaxy S23 FE, Galaxy Z Fold5, Flip5, and Galaxy Tab S9, among others. The company aims to expand the Galaxy AI user experience to strengthen Galaxy’s identity as an AI phone.

At the launch of the Galaxy S24 series, Samsung Electronics’ Mobile Experience Division head Roh Tae-moon stated the company plans to integrate Galaxy AI into 100 million mobile devices “by the end of 2024.”

Meanwhile, Apple Inc. is also gearing up to introduce various AI functions in the next-generation iPhone 16, slated for release in the second half of 2024. Apple is also expected to integrate AI functions into its voice assistant, Siri, intensifying the competition in the voice assistant technology race as smartphone AI functions become more sophisticated.