Samsung’s Bixby to get smarter with Perplexity AI in major overhaul

Samsung is gearing up for a significant enhancement of its AI-driven Bixby assistant, as recent leaks suggest the integration of Perplexity AI. This move echoes Apple's incorporation of OpenAI’s ChatGPT into its Siri assistant. According to a report from Android Authority, Samsung briefly published a press release detailing this upgrade before swiftly retracting it. The revamped Bixby will be launched alongside the One UI 8.5 update, which is based on Android 16, and will be made available to compatible Samsung devices. With the introduction of Perplexity AI, Bixby is poised to become more conversational and intuitive, allowing users to issue complex commands with ease. This enhancement means that users will no longer need to memorize intricate menus or specific terminology to control their devices. Furthermore, Bixby will gain Perplexity's advanced search functionalities, enabling it to source information from the internet effectively. Within the chat interface, the assistant will be able to provide users with pertinent links and references, streamlining the search process and alleviating the need for extensive manual browsing. While Samsung has previously relied on Google for many AI-powered features, the addition of Perplexity AI marks a strategic expansion in its capabilities. This initiative mirrors Apple's strategy of enhancing Siri with ChatGPT for better task management. However, the swift removal of the press release has sparked speculation regarding either a premature announcement or a possible delay in the rollout of the new Bixby and One UI 8.5. Currently, expectations suggest that the upgraded Bixby, powered by Perplexity AI, may be unveiled during the launch of the Galaxy S26 series, which is anticipated to occur towards the end of February. Therefore, a few more weeks of waiting will likely be necessary for an official confirmation.