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Samsung Finally Lets You Disable the Bixby Button Without a Third-Party App (androidpolice.com)

Posted by BeauHD on from the do-it-yourself dept.

Samsung has released an update to allow you to disable Bixby on the Galaxy S8, S8+ and Note 8. The only problem is you can only disable the button and can't point it to another app. Android Police reports: As you're probably aware, there are two parts to Bixby -- Bixby Home and Bixby Voice. The main change here is to the Bixby Home shortcut; press the button and Bixby appears. After updating, a toggle is available under the settings gear at the top of Bixby home. Turn it off, and Bixby Home will no longer pop up when you tap the button (there's also a "Bixby Key" menu in the settings). Bixby Voice can be shut off in the settings as well, so the button will become completely inert. What if you want Bixby Home back? If you still have Bixby Voice turned on, pressing and holding the button will trigger Bixby on top of your current screen. You can open full screen mode and access your Bixby settings to turn Bixby Home back on at any time. Okay, but what if you also have Bixby Voice turned off in the Bixby settings? It seems at first like you've locked yourself out of Bixby, which might not be a problem for some people. However, you can access the Bixby settings by going into your main system settings -- Apps -- Bixby Home -- Mobile Data -- View app settings. That opens the Bixby settings without opening Bixby first.

29 of 55 comments (clear)

  1. That name sounds familiar... by DontBeAMoran · · Score: 1

    David Banner, Physician/Scientist, searching for a way to tap into the hidden strengths that all humans have. Then an accidental overdose of gamma radiation interacts with his unique body chemistry. And now, when David Banner grows angry or outraged, a startling metamorphosis occurs.

    --
    #DeleteFacebook
    1. Re:That name sounds familiar... by Major_Disorder · · Score: 1

      Does this mean that if you press the button, your phone will transform in to a giant green guy with serious rage issues,ripping it's way out of any case I might have put the phone in. Because if so, Count me in!!!

      --
      First law of people: People are generally stupid.
    2. Re:That name sounds familiar... by fahrbot-bot · · Score: 1

      David Banner, Physician/Scientist, searching for a way to tap into the hidden strengths that all humans have. Then an accidental overdose of gamma radiation interacts with his unique body chemistry. And now, when David Banner grows angry or outraged, a startling metamorphosis occurs.

      That's how Bixby worked on the Galaxy Note 7.

      --
      It must have been something you assimilated. . . .
  2. Re:WTF is Bixby? by faedle · · Score: 1

    I was asking the same question. For those of us with non-Samsung-bastardized Android devices, please fill us in.

  3. Re:WTF is Bixby? by Hylandr · · Score: 1

    Based on 10 seconds of googling I am going to say it's the current iteration of a company learning the hard lessons already taught by 'Clippy' and 'Microsoft Bob'.

    --
    ~ People that think they are better than anyone else for any reason are the cause of all the strife in the world.
  4. Re: WTF is Bixby? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    BTW, the word Bixby appears 23 times in the summary.

    Bixby

  5. Dumb Decision by ohnocitizen · · Score: 1

    The dedicated Bixby button is why I'm waiting to check out the S9 or just give up on Samsung entirely. Tired of their custom updates, slowness to utilize recent Android versions, software bloat, and poor design decisions. Other android manufacturers are looking better all the time. Hope they don't remove the earphone jack like the iPhone or Pixel 2 is rumored to.

    1. Re:Dumb Decision by fuzzyfuzzyfungus · · Score: 1

      Given how much cheaper the Chinese can be; one can't really blame Samsung for wanting to avoid becoming an undifferentiated board-stuffer for Google.

      One can(and should) blame them for attempting to avoid this by making their atrocious software as mandatory as possible; rather than trying a bold experiment in not sucking at software.

    2. Re:Dumb Decision by JohnFen · · Score: 2

      Yes, Bixby is an anti-feature that makes the phone less appealing than it would otherwise be.

      That it has a dedicated button is reasonably insane. At least they graciously allow you to disable it now, but then you have a worthless button.

      Now, if it were possible to use the button for something desirable, that would turn it into something that would actually add value.

    3. Re:Dumb Decision by gravewax · · Score: 1

      They are actually between a rock and a hard place. Samsung don't excel at software, but it has become the only way to really differentiate your phone when the margins are being eroded on the hardware side.

    4. Re:Dumb Decision by JohnFen · · Score: 1

      Yes. Although if it's an edge that can be easily ignored (rather than a button that constantly taunts you with its potential), that's much less annoying.

      Unless, of course, you can't disable it -- in which case, it makes the phone unappealing, period.

    5. Re: Dumb Decision by DThorne · · Score: 1

      Well, it's gone now, they did the right thing, so the long international nightmare is over. I'm enjoying the phone a lot, I found the extra button easy to accidentally trigger so I don't even care if they ever allow a remap (they will, and I'm sure 3rd party will step in regardless). Screen on the S8 is gorgeous, it allows disabling updates on factory apps I don't want like Facebook, so they just disappear as far as I'm concerned. Hasn't even blown up in my pocket or started a fire or anything. Nice phone.

    6. Re:Dumb Decision by JohnFen · · Score: 1

      Clearly, if you like the digital assistant (of whatever flavor), then this is a nonissue. The dumb thing is that the button is worthless to people who don't want to use the digital assistant.

  6. Re:WTF is Bixby? by tlhIngan · · Score: 2

    I was asking the same question. For those of us with non-Samsung-bastardized Android devices, please fill us in.

    Samsung's version of Alexa, Siri, Cortana and Google Assistant.

    In other words, a speech recognizing personal assistant.

  7. Another great reason by JohnFen · · Score: 1

    This whole thing is another great reason to avoid using the manufacturer's operating system install whenever possible.

  8. Re: WTF is Bixby? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    Ok, I'm familiar with Clippy but, WTF is "googling" then?

    Does it involve weird sounds coming out of one's throat? Is it painful?

  9. except... by Jodka · · Score: 1

    The only problem is you can only disable the button and can't point it to another app.

    If you make it angry then it points to the Ferrigno app.

    --
    Ceci n'est pas une signature.
  10. Fuck Technology by Gussington · · Score: 3, Insightful

    This is what shits me about technology these days, why can't I do what I want with my own device? I don't want a gimmicks like voice assistant, or VR or payment using my phone, or a smart TV etc. I already have solutions that work better for me. Some people might prefer them so offer them as a feature, but let those of us who have different ways of doings the things the option of turning them off completely.

    1. Re:Fuck Technology by JohnFen · · Score: 1

      Very well said. I couldn't agree more.

      The trend, in hardware and software, has been to reduce the ability for people to use their own machines in the way that they see fit. I object to this trend in the most strenuous terms.

      It's why people who insist that I "hate change" or am a "luddite" because I refuse to use devices and software that are effectively handcuffs are misguided. I relish change and love cool new stuff.

      I'm just not willing to give up any freedom for it.

    2. Re:Fuck Technology by OppMan29 · · Score: 1

      because its not just about selling you the phone... them greedy bastards wanna make money later too when you use their VR , samsung pay, or their assistant tells you where to buy things... its all business

    3. Re:Fuck Technology by rocket+rancher · · Score: 1

      "...my own device?" Really? You still think you "own" your device? You have an interesting definition of "own." "Your" device is just the interface to a complex system created to monetize the net. It is just the tip of a vast, information-hoovering iceberg. Ditto "your" software that "your" device is hosting. You can't really own your device if you don't also own the net that it interfaces with. It is that simple. Look, you can do whatever the fuck you want with "your" device, but your right to do so stops when it tries to connect to something you *don't* own, i.e., the net. If that device is not farming you (or your contact list) for monetizable information, then it is not going to be allowed to access the net. If you want to own your device, never connect it to a network that you don't also "own."

    4. Re:Fuck Technology by Gussington · · Score: 1

      If you want to own your device, never connect it to a network that you don't also "own."

      That's not how it works. I own my device and I can choose who on the "the network" I connect to. That is the whole conecpt of an open network.
      When vendors try to sell me something other than this I shop elsewhere.

  11. Re:WTF is Bixby? by infolation · · Score: 1

    More problematic, even, than this personal assistant's inability be killed without a kill-app is the fact it's called 'Bixby' . Sorry Venkman, but I'm terrified beyond the capacity for rational thought.

  12. Bixby? by AndyKron · · Score: 1

    What is Bixby? Do I have to buy another goddamn phone?

  13. Re:WTF is Bixby? by DivineKnight · · Score: 1

    It's an annoying PITA that somehow manages to activate even with the lock screen on. And parts of it appear to be like a Steam game, as you can acquire Bixby points, which probably unlock achievements.

    Still don't know how to turn the Infinity Midnight theme back-on, but Bixby I'm learning more and more about each day, despite a lack of a compelling feature. And Samsung really, really wants me to store my credit card information on my phone, for their smart pay thing.

  14. The annoying thing is... by JustNiz · · Score: 1

    You have to accept Samsungs/Bixby's terms and conditions to even get to the settings page to turn the Bixby button off.

    1. Re:The annoying thing is... by coofercat · · Score: 1

      Sounds like typical Samsung bullshit to me. They just can't do software, no matter how hard they try.

      As for disabling the button - everyone should do this. You can bet they get telemetry about it, so when they see 30% of all users disable the button, they might start thinking about what their main 'selling points' are.

  15. oh great..... by SuperDre · · Score: 1

    yes it let's you disable it, but it doesn't let you reassign it.. how stupid is that....

  16. Re:WTF is Bixby? by jandersen · · Score: 1

    Just another "Clippy", I suspect. They are all the rage at the moment, but I think they will turn out to be just another irritating fad that will be gone in a few years' time. The underlying research into things like voice recognition and AI are scientifically valid and will be valuable at some point, but trying to commercialise it by stuffing it into all kinds of consumer products is just stupid; people in general do not think or speak in a careful and disciplined way, which I think is going to clash with what a virtual assistant has to offer, so it will become a nuisance and an obstancle rather than a help.