Samsung Galaxy S8’s Bixby button is useless, here’s an alternative

Samsung Galaxy S8 is one of the best buys at the moment. The device comes packed with high-end features at a hefty price. However, what appears to be missing is the voice recognition feature in one of its primary attractions — digital assistant Bixby. This shortcoming has rendered Bixby to be useless to most extent. However, geeks and recent-owners of the Galaxy S8 are coming up with ways to get Bixby to launch apps or perform functions like a regular digital assistant.

These owners are reportedly making use of free apps like Bixby Button Remapper, BixRemap, Goodbye Bixby, and Bixby Remap to re-program Bixby button and make it perform any task they’d like.

Creator of Bixby Button Remapper told Gizmodo in an email that the app stemmed from a simple need. The programmer behind the Bixby Button Remapper told Gizmodo in an email that the app stemmed from a simple need. “I initially made the app because, well, I saw a need that wasn’t being met yet,” the programmer, who goes by Phascinate, explained. “Manufacturers do such a great job on the hardware of phones these days, but sometimes make some very odd decisions when it comes to software.”

When Samsung was contacted regarding this issue, they said that Bixby will make your phone more helpful by assisting in completing tasks, telling you what you’re looking at, learning your routine and remembering what you need to do. The Bixby button is dedicated to activating these features, starting with Bixby Home at launch and expanding to Bixby Voice later this Spring.