Before the Galaxy S8 launched last week, and before the launch day software update, users were able to remap the Bixby button that is found on the left-hand side of the Galaxy S8 to open up Google Now instead of Bixby. With the latest software update, that feature was removed. Many users were upset, but Samsung did also remind people that it wasn’t a feature that was supposed to be there (so technically they didn’t “remove” it). Now, a developer has created an app that will allow you to remap that button once again to open up Google Now instead of Bixby. It’s called ‘BixRemap’, simple enough.
The app does exactly what you’d expect, it launches Google Now over Bixby. So instead of using Bixby’s cards and other information, you’ll get Google Now. The slight lag that is there between hitting the Bixby button and Bixby appearing is still there, unfortunately. It’s a pretty simple app and it really does nothing else for the user. The developer says that this is an app that he made in about 20 minutes, and that if there is enough interest in the app, then he may expand upon it. So far, it’s become a pretty popular app. It’s sitting in the 500 – 1,00 downloads range (which, yes it’s not that high, but you have to remember that only those with the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus can download it).
Bixby is Samsung’s latest feature for their smartphones, it is basically your personal assistant, but at launch it’s only half-baked. Bixby Voice is missing, and there’s no word on when that will be rolled out to the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus. And with Google Assistant already being on the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus, many wonder why Samsung even bothered with Bixby. Just like with other assistants like Alexa, Cortana and Siri, Bixby has a pretty big issue, it doesn’t have Google’s knowledge to fall back on. On top of that, it also needs help from developers to integrate Bixby into their apps, which so far, haven’t been added to all that many apps.
