Exploring Bixby Voice Assist: Performance and User Feedback

Users have expressed mixed feelings about Samsung's voice assistant, Bixby. Some users have raised concerns about privacy and the constant requests for passwords, while others appreciate its functionality and have found ways to make the most out of it.

Privacy Concerns with Bixby

One of the main criticisms of Bixby is the perceived invasion of privacy. Some users believe that Bixby may be listening to them without permission, constantly requesting passwords for no reason. This has led to a sense of unhappiness and users are even considering switching to a different device.

"I believe it’s listening to me without my permission. It keeps asking to put my password in for no reason! I will go to a different phone if I cannot turn this eavesdropper off!!!!!!!!!!!!!" - User

Functionality and Improvement

Despite the criticism, Bixby has been noted for its usefulness in certain tasks. For example, it can perform functions like turning off auto brightness, something that other assistants cannot do. The introduction of Bixby in Samsung devices, however, was not looked upon positively by all.

"I think the mass hatred for Bixby started when it was introduced in Samsung devices and was bad compared to other assistants and most importantly the inability to remap Bixby button which kind off irked google assistant users who are almost 99 of them."

However, with time, Bixby has improved significantly. As the assistant evolves with each new generation of Samsung devices, it continues to gain recognition for its utility. One of its most underrated features is Bixby Routines, a powerful tool that automates various tasks without the need for constant user interaction.

Bixby Routines: The Underrated Gem

Bixby Routines is a feature that allows users to automate tasks, such as turning on auto-rotate while watching YouTube, or turning off Wi-Fi and turning on data when stepping out of the house. This feature is incredibly useful and reliable for task automation, making daily tasks more streamlined and efficient.

"The most underrated feature is the Bixby Routines. I feel most users did not consider using it as it was part of Bixby family or some reason but trust me its truly a gem of a feature. Whether I use the assistant or not but I am using the Routines since day 1 and have several tasks assigned to it..." - User

Design and User Interface

One common complaint is the placement of the Bixby button. Many users, accustomed to other buttons being in a particular location, find the Bixby button's position disruptive. It has been noted that the button is located where a power button might be expected, leading to accidental presses.

"I just hate that it takes up a button on the side that could have been used for something else…. I keep hitting it thinking its the power button because of my last phone that’s where it was."

This has led to another point of criticism: the lack of a calibrated response to the assistant's presence. Users report a negative or allergic reaction to the device, possibly due to the way it interacts with them or the types of tasks it performs.

"Not much. I have a pure hatred towards assistants. Fun for 2–3 days then it simply made me angry. Glad it wasn't a real life assistant then I would have been in jail for murder.... I guess my body is not calibrated to an assistant its an almost allergic reaction combined with a sense of being cheated as they're not real you can't kill them. Otherwise I love all sorts of gadgets just not and by no means assistant."

Conclusion

Overall, despite the initial criticisms and some ongoing issues, Bixby continues to evolve and improve. For users who can embrace its features and find ways to circumvent its limitations, Bixby can be a highly useful tool. As the technology behind voice assistants matures, we can expect to see continued enhancements and a more positive reception from users.