Samsung Revamps Bixby with Perplexity AI in One UI 8.5 Beta
Samsung is significantly upgrading its Bixby assistant with the integration of Perplexity AI, as revealed in the latest beta of One UI 8.5 deployed on the Galaxy S25. This isn’t a rumor – the Perplexity icon is now visible within the Bixby interface, signaling a shift in functionality.
From Simple Commands to Conversational AI:
Samsung aims to transform Bixby from a basic ”home automation” assistant (controlling lights,setting timers) into a more complex conversational response engine. To achieve this, they’ve partnered with Perplexity, a strong competitor to Google’s AI offerings.
How it Works:
Currently, Bixby is limited to pre-programmed commands. Integrating Perplexity adds reasoning capabilities to the system.Beta screenshots demonstrate examples like clothing recommendations based on real-time weather data. While this may seem like a typical marketing demo,it highlights a fundamental change in Bixby’s architecture.
Deep Integration, unified Ecosystem:
Perplexity isn’t just a third-party app; it appears to be becoming the core “search brains” of Bixby. This integration isn’t entirely unexpected,as Samsung announced a similar partnership for its connected televisions earlier this year. The goal is to create a consistent AI experiance across all Samsung devices.
Still in Beta – A Long Road Ahead:
This update is currently available in a beta version of One UI 8.5. The stable release isn’t expected untill the launch of the Galaxy S26 in the first half of 2026, giving Samsung six months to refine the integration. Historically, Samsung’s software updates have been prone to issues, so further development is crucial.
A Strategic Move for samsung:
The article suggests this integration represents a significant strategic shift for Samsung, hinting at a larger political and competitive context (the remainder of the article is cut off).
Key Takeaways:
* Bixby + Perplexity AI: Samsung is integrating Perplexity AI into Bixby.
* Enhanced Capabilities: This aims to move bixby beyond simple commands to more complex, conversational responses.
* deep integration: Perplexity is becoming a core component of Bixby’s functionality.
* Ecosystem Play: Samsung wants a unified AI experience across all its devices.
* Beta Stage: The feature is currently in beta and will likely be released with the Galaxy S26.
