Galaxy S26’s latest beta update makes Bixby much easier to use

Samsung has unveiled the latest One UI 9 Beta 7 for its Galaxy S26 series, enhancing the user experience of Bixby, the company's virtual assistant. This update introduces Gesture wake-up and home screen widgets, streamlining Bixby activation and usage.

The Gesture wake-up feature allows users to trigger Bixby by holding the phone near their mouth and speaking into the microphone. This innovative method of interaction eliminates the need to press a button or say a specific wake word, making Bixby more accessible and convenient for users.

Additionally, the new Bixby widgets offer flexibility in input methods. Users can now choose from 2×1, 2×2, and 4×2 widget options, enabling them to input voice or text more efficiently. These widgets provide a user-friendly interface, facilitating seamless communication with Bixby.

The One UI 9 Beta 7 update also brings other noteworthy features to the Galaxy S26 series. These include My FanCam, which personalizes the camera experience, Call Brief for quick summary of calls, Custom Cards in Now Brief for tailored information display, and an enhanced split Finder-Google Search search bar for improved search capabilities.

This release marks the expansion of Gesture wake-up for Bixby from the Galaxy Z8 foldables to the Galaxy S26 series, demonstrating Samsung's commitment to making the virtual assistant more intuitive and user-friendly across its lineup.