Samsung considers abandoning Bixby and replacing it with Google Assistant

As the foundation of Android phones, Google's software is usually installed by default with the Android system. But there is an exception within the Android camp, and that is Samsung, which is as wealthy as a country. Facing Google's request, Samsung chose to refuse because One UI has a complete software ecosystem, of which Bixby voice assistant is an important part.

However, this may be about to change. According to Reuters, Samsung may abandon Bixby as the default virtual assistant and switch to Google Assistant.

Reuters said Samsung is considering removing its Bixby voice assistant and Galaxy Apps store from devices as part of a global revenue-sharing agreement with Google parent Alphabet.

However, a Samsung spokesperson denied the rumor, saying that both services are part of the Samsung ecosystem. "We focus on our own services and ecosystem," Samsung said in a statement.

Image source: Engadget

According to people familiar with the matter, Google has been working for years to install its own services such as Google Search, Google Assistant, and Google Play Store by default on Samsung devices. However, as the smartphone manufacturer with the largest market share in the world, Samsung has not given in. All along, in order to install Google services by default on Android phones, Google has given a portion of advertising revenue as a condition to let mobile phone manufacturers "let go", but this trick has not worked for Samsung before.

However, in the past few months, due to the global epidemic, the iteration of smartphones has slowed down and sales have decreased. Many companies have stopped projects that cost a lot of money and are trying to find new profit points. According to reports, Google has made a more sincere offer to Samsung, so the two sides will reach an agreement on this matter in the near future.

Google said in a statement that they will only work with Samsung to improve the user experience, and the latter will still have the right to independently operate its own app store and virtual assistant.