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Bixby, more than just a virtual assistant
Bixby, a virtual assistant introduced last year, comprises Bixby voice, Bixby vision and Bixby home.
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Smartphones are so advanced nowadays that sometimes users need time to get used to the features that promise to make their lives easier. (Shutterstock/File)
Smartphones are so advanced nowadays that sometimes users need time to get used to the features that promise to make their lives easier.
Despite having used a Samsung S8 for quite some time, Lanovia Ingryanti Christian wasn’t aware of how to fully make use of the Bixby feature on her phone until someone she followed on Instagram showed how Bixby vision helped him out on his travels.
“I explored the Bixby features a few days ago after watching an Instagram story uploaded by Kenny Santana,” she said.
Kenny runs Instagram account @kartupostinsta, which has nearly 40,000 followers.
In an Instastory, Kenny explained how Bixby vision helped him find places of interest whenever he traveled and how that feature helped him translate texts in different languages.
Bixby, a virtual assistant introduced last year, comprises Bixby voice, Bixby vision and Bixby home.
“I became curious after seeing his Instastory. Apparently it has many functions, from opening an application with voice control to finding various information,” Lanovia said.
“Now my daughter is addicted to it and uses it to practice her [English] pronunciation,” she said.
According to Jo Semidang, Samsung Indonesia’s corporate marketing director, Bixby vision can be found in its latest S and Notes series, as well as the Galaxy A8 and A8+.
For the latter two, which target millennials, the South Korean tech giant incorporated the Bixby vision feature to assist young professionals on their travels.
“Nowadays, smartphones are integrated in travel. This device is used more to get information and for sharing rather than phoning,” he said during the Samsung A8 experience event in Rome recently.
Looking at the tendency of millennials to invest more in experiences rather than brand-name items, the A8 series is equipped with the features they consider the most important, an advanced camera and AI technology.
“Bixby vision is a breakthrough that encourages millennials to travel alone and survive in foreign countries,” Kenny said.
Aside from Bixby vision, the Galaxy A8 series is also equipped with a 16-megapixel back camera and two front cameras, 16-MP and 8-MP each, which enables the bokeh effect as well as capturing pictures in low light, Jo explained.
“Phone users also do not need to worry about getting rained on, because it is water resistant,” he added.
A8 user A. Indra Niptama acknowledged the camera in his phone was one of the strong points.
“At that time I was looking for a phone with an infinity display, and among all smartphones out there I think the A8 was the most affordable,” he said.
Released last month, the Galaxy A8 and A8+ are sold for between Rp 6 million (US$440) and Rp 8 million.
