Samsung is planning to officially unveil the Galaxy Note 8 at an Unpacked event in New York City on Aug. 23, and according to a report, a Bixby-powered Bluetooth headset will launch alongside the smartphone.
The headset will be one of the few differences between the Galaxy Note 8 and Samsung's current flagship smartphone, the Galaxy S8, and will look to challenge Apple's wireless earbuds, the AirPods.
Samsung To Launch Bixby Headset With Galaxy Note 8
According to an ETNews report, Samsung is working on a Bluetooth headset that will be powered by its digital assistant, Bixby. The accessory may be ready in time to launch alongside the Galaxy Note 8, and there is the possibility that it will be bundled with the upcoming smartphone.
The Bluetooth headset is being developed to assist users in communicating with Bixby. The device is also said to feature Samsung's own noise-cancelling technology.
A Samsung representative has confirmed the existence of the Bixby-powered Bluetooth headset, along with its intended purpose of making communication with Bixby easier. However, no definite release date and price has been confirmed for the accessory, as well as whether it will be bundled with the Galaxy Note 8 or if it will only be sold as a standalone product.
Samsung Bixby Headset vs Apple AirPods
The Bixby-powered Bluetooth headset is viewed as a potential challenger to Apple's AirPods, as both devices present easier methods to accessing their respective digital assistants.
However, while the Bixby headset is part of the long-term strategy of Samsung to integrate the digital assistant in its smartphones, the main challenge that Samsung is facing is with Bixby itself.
Samsung had to extend the delay to roll out the English version of Bixby Voice due to issues with the digital assistant understanding the language. Bixby English has since been rolled out, but it remains to be seen just how effective it really is compared to Apple's Siri and the Google Assistant.
For the Bixby-powered Bluetooth headset to succeed, Samsung will first have to make sure that the improvements to Bixby English are good enough to have its digital assistant perform on par with Siri and the Google Assistant.
Samsung To Soon Launch Galaxy Note 8
Whether the Bixby-powered Bluetooth headset will be bundled with the Galaxy Note 8 will be known very soon, as the Unpacked event to officially unveil the smartphone is just a month away.
Despite months of rumors, Samsung might still have some surprises prepared for the Galaxy Note 8 announcement. Potential customers, however, should expect the Galaxy Note 8 price to go over $1,000.
