Samsung has Removed the Ability to Remap the Bixby Button on the Galaxy S8/S8+

[Rumline]

I'm sure there's some way to physically disable the button. Might affect phone trade-in value however.

 

[anon(5630457)]

Getting info from XDA that a software update has closed that loophole.
Stand by for confirmation.

Mav.

The worst thing that could be on a phone is a physical hardware button associated with a single piece of software. Ugh. That sucks.

 

[donm527]

When was the last time a phone manufacturer did that? Seems like a first. Maybe someone did a dedicated camera button? Even Steve Jobs wouldn't mess up an iPhone with a dedicated SIRI button.

The worst thing that could be on a phone is a physical hardware button associated with a single piece of software. Ugh. That sucks.

 

[donm527]

It does feel Apple-esque

Apple asks you if you want to turn on SIRI or not during the inital power on/set up and you can turn it off and forget it.

 

[T48]

When was the last time a phone manufacturer did that? Seems like a first. Maybe someone did a dedicated camera button? Even Steve Jobs wouldn't mess up an iPhone with a dedicated SIRI button.

But am sure Google requires their assistant to be accessed a certain way. Which takes away the logical spot for Samsungs Bixby. Apple does not have to deal with any other co's requirements as to how they want their software to operate. Big difference.

 

[Aquila]

Why on Earth would they do that!?

Because #Jerks .

 

[Kalvin Kerns]

Because #Jerks .

Lol

 

[rushmore]

I doubt there would be an "outcry" that matters over this. Small number of people on tech forums are really meaningless in the grand scheme of Galaxy Phone development.

If you can turn it off, maybe. If not, accidentally activating it would get old quickly.

 

[-Myk-]

Hopefully you can disable it in the applications menu under setting.

 

[jeffmd]

I would think things like the bixby button and anything samsung does to default bixby to on would be ripe for antitrust charges, much like windows and its browser.

 

[anon(5630457)]

When was the last time a phone manufacturer did that? Seems like a first. Maybe someone did a dedicated camera button? Even Steve Jobs wouldn't mess up an iPhone with a dedicated SIRI button.

Amazon Fire phone. Nokia Asha phone for Whatsapp. HTC First.

 

[ThrottleJohnny]

So I'm confused. If you disable Bixby in the settings, and you press the side button it does nothing? Or, pressing that button launches Bixby no matter what?

 

[pjniez]

I believe that the position of the Bixby button will frustrate the heck out of people because it will constantly be pressed accidentally.

 

[ThrottleJohnny]

I believe that the position of the Bixby button will frustrate the heck out of people because it will constantly be pressed accidentally.

Yes, if you can't disable it when you don't want it.

 

[D13H4RD2L1V3]

I still think it should be remappable for those who don't care about Bixby or any other AI-based personal assistant.

Not everyone in my circles are aware that their phones have Google Assistant, or even Google Now for that matter. So I doubt Bixby will help bring AI-based PAs into the mainstream because from my viewpoint, Bixby just doesn't have that one killer feature that makes a lot of people go all "Wow! I need this in my life!".

 

[ThrottleJohnny]

I still think it should be remappable for those who don't care about Bixby or any other AI-based personal assistant.

Not everyone in my circles are aware that their phones have Google Assistant, or even Google Now for that matter. So I doubt Bixby will help bring AI-based PAs into the mainstream because from my viewpoint, Bixby just doesn't have that one killer feature that makes a lot of people go all "Wow! I need this in my life!".

Very true, which may explain why the physical button was actually necessary, at least from Samsung's perspective. No way ordinary folks will miss this feature now.

 

[D13H4RD2L1V3]

Very true, which may explain why the physical button was actually necessary, at least from Samsung's perspective. No way ordinary folks will miss this feature now.

Honestly, I am fearing that people might actually find that button cumbersome, as an accidental press could fire up Bixby unintentionally.

Not a lot of Galaxy users are considered tech-savvy, so that Bixby button might require some explanation.

 

[jimd1050]

When was the last time a phone manufacturer did that? Seems like a first. Maybe someone did a dedicated camera button? Even Steve Jobs wouldn't mess up an iPhone with a dedicated SIRI button.

Though it's strictly AT&T, the Galaxy S7 Active has it's "Active" key (which, btw, is mappable) just above the volume rocker - normally, it brings up a handy "Active" Screen but it can be remapped to any programs the user chooses AND in "Short Press", "Long Press" and "Double Press" scenarios so you actually have three choices!!! Hello, Samsung?

 

[zipro]

Apparently they also deactivated Google Now voice activation

 

[ThrottleJohnny]

Honestly, I am fearing that people might actually find that button cumbersome, as an accidental press could fire up Bixby unintentionally.

Not a lot of Galaxy users are considered tech-savvy, so that Bixby button might require some explanation.

Which is why you have to have the ability to disable it.