Google May Prevent Samsung From Adding Viv AI Assistant To Galaxy S8 (ibtimes.co.uk) 60
New submitter drunkdrone quotes a report from International Business Times: Samsung is reported to be equipping its upcoming Galaxy S8 flagship with all manner of technical marvels in its attempt to erase the Note 7 catastrophe from memory. However, Google may throw a wrench into the works by potentially prohibiting Samsung from imbuing the phone with one of its most compelling features (Warning: source may be paywalled; alternate source) -- its AI personal assistant. Reports have suggested that Samsung planned to load the Galaxy S8 with Viv, a smartphone-based digital assistant similar to Apple's Siri and Google Assistant. Because of an ongoing non-compete pact between Samsung and Google, however, Samsung may be forced to exclude Viv from its upcoming flagship as would challenge Google's digital helper. The report adds: "According to Recode, the restriction forms part of a patent-sharing agreement Samsung signed with Google in 2014. While the pact will allow the two companies to put up a stronger, united front against Apple, it may hinder Samsung's ambitions for independence and its attempts to differentiate itself from the wider Android crowd."
Re: Brand dilution (Score:2)
It's for the best that they do IMO. I had a Note 4 and...damn...I'm never going with another Samsung phone again.
TouchWiz is complete crap, but I think material design is perhaps the best smartphone UI design language to exist. And, if every phone OEM kept their damn software up to date, Android would be perfect.
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And, if every Android phone OEM kept their damn software up to date, like Apple does with iOS, Android would be perfect.
FTFY.
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Actually I would say like what Google does with the Nexus lines. I also carry around an iPhone for work; I don't care how much updates they get, they still suck. And in fact, somehow their updates always manage to break shit even though I only have first party Apple apps installed.
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Actually I would say like what Google does with the Nexus lines. I also carry around an iPhone for work; I don't care how much updates they get, they still suck. And in fact, somehow their updates always manage to break shit even though I only have first party Apple apps installed.
Ok, so for the .04% of non Slashdotters that have a Nexus (which are now being abandoned I hear), maybe Android is ok (but still statistically. Much less secure than iOS), but for the rest of the victims of Android, not so much.
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Google's yanking the leash on phone vendors because they want to create a more consistent and uniform product experience.
In this case I suspect Google is "yanking the leash" because they want to mine as much data as possible from Google Assistant, and not having Samsung on board would put a noticeable dent in that data.
Re: Brand dilution (Score:2)
And Samsung/Apple doesn't? Don't delude yourself.
Good... (Score:1)
Now if Google could force them to use a stock android build I may actually buy one of their devices. I'm still holding on to my S4 with Cyanogenmod installed. Replaceable battery, micro SD card, still small enough to keep in your pocket... I'll miss this phone when it dies.
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Differentiate From The Crowd (Score:2)
Well no one can say Samsung hasn't managed to do that quite well with exploding note 7s, quite the different phone. Reality though going the fixed battery et at showed them following along right with the rest of the crowd, nothing different what so ever.
Most compelling feature? (Score:3)
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And why is it "losing its most compelling feature" given that the phone can still use Google's AI assistant, which is almost certainly better anyways and will probably be updated and supported for a longer time.
I wish (Score:5, Insightful)
Samsung is reported to be equipping its upcoming Galaxy S8 flagship with all manner of technical marvels
I wish Samsung could figure out how to include such marvels like a removable battery and a microSD slot.
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How about they work on getting software updates out to their phones quicker or support their phones for a longer period of time.
As an ex-Galaxy Note 4 user on AT&T, the update for Marshmallow came a year after its release.
FU Samsung and AT&T
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I wish Samsung could figure out how to include such marvels like a removable battery and a microSD slot.
100% this. It boggles my mind. Why would anyone buy a $500-1000 device that is guaranteed to fail after a few short years?
There is literally no excuse here.
Although I don't really use it anymore, my iPhone 4s just received its final OS update a month or so ago, and still works perfectly.
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Samsung has totally abandoned their core following in favor of chasing after Apple and trying to make themselves into a fashion accessory, as a consequence it appears Samsung now also has the "courage" to remove the 3.5mm mini-stereo headphone jack.
Right now I'm on a Samsung Galaxy Note 4; the last good Samsung phone device IMO along with the S5, but it'll probably be my last Samsung device unless they return to reality which is unlikely.
I'm thinking for my next phone it'll probably be an LG V20, or whateve
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Yes microSD is important, which is why Samsung have it in the Galaxy S lineup including the 7 and 8.
Few people care about a removable battery. Those that do can shop elsewhere.
Let's make it simple (Score:2)
Keep the SD slot and headphone jack, and I'll upgrade from my S7 Edge. Nix the headphone slot, the S7 Edge will be the last Samsung phone I buy until/unless Samsung come to their senses.
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Keep the SD slot and headphone jack, and I'll upgrade from my S7 Edge. Nix the headphone slot, the S7 Edge will be the last Samsung phone I buy until/unless Samsung come to their senses.
If a 3.5 mm Jack us your deal-breaker, enjoy your last smartphone.
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You know, or just buy a different brand because Android.
We aren't all limited to one handset manufacturer.
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You know, or just buy a different brand because Android.
We aren't all limited to one handset manufacturer.
Watch as all your choices of phones with 3.5 mm jacks diminish to none.
Thanks, but no thanks (Score:2)
I'd actually like to remove the space wasted by the Samsung apps on my current device. Which Cyanogenmod won't run upon. I might have to hack the ROM myself.
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There are other ROMs you could try.
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I'd actually like to remove the space wasted by the Samsung apps on my current device. Which Cyanogenmod won't run upon. I might have to hack the ROM myself.
Wait! You of all people, run an Android phone??? why, oh why, would you subject yourself to their terrible security record?
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The Samsung device in question is a tablet used for reading. I do agree that there isn't really any expectation of privacy with these devices. If I had some reason to hide what I was doing, these would go in an ammo box away from where I was.
I am not a security evangelist, although I often mention security in talks regarding Open Source. I do not live a separate life from normal people as RMS does. Although I don't have it set up at the moment, I often have an APRS transceiver broadcasting my l location, an
They could easily differentiate themselves from th (Score:2)
Provide timely updates and security fixes. But hey who am I kidding. This is Samsung we're talking about.
Can they do that? (Score:2)
Because of an ongoing non-compete pact between Samsung and Google...
How is that not collusion and an anti-competitive trade practice?
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It's ancillary to, and necessary for, the sharing (Score:3)
The agreement which contains this clause is an agreement in which Samsung and Google allow each other to use their patented inventions. The agreement overall allows *more* competition, Samsung can offer many features they couldn't offer otherwise due to patents.
Agreements which include a clause not to compete in specific ways, for a specific period of time, are allowable when they are ancillary to, and reasonably necessary for, a larger agreement which is otherwise in harmony with public policy, if they are
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Because of an ongoing non-compete pact between Samsung and Google...
How is that not collusion and an anti-competitive trade practice?
Because Samsung is perfectly free to write their own OS from scratch, like Apple does with their phones, and load THAT onto their phones.
But since they are too lazy/cheap to do that, Google is free to impose any conditions it wants in the LICENSE AGREEMENT for THEIR OS.
Why can't we have both? (Score:2)
Why can't we have both?
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That's good for Samsung though a bit confusing for customers. I understand Google wants to control Android and to make it a more coherent experience across devices from different brands.
They know they got hardware manufacturers by the balls since Android is the only viable alternative to iOS and they're using that power.
If I were Samsung I'd includ
More junk from Samsung (Score:2)
Why the fuck... (Score:2)
Would I want Samsung Viv, when I could have Google Assist? I use Google services heavily. It's in my interest to use that service. Viv locks me into Samsung's walled garden, and that's much smaller. S Voice was useless. Renaming it to Viv isn't going to make it better.
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Would I want Samsung Viv, when I could have Google Assist?
Because this one talks to you with a delicate blend of psychology and extreme violence. [imdb.com]
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Fair enough. If it had been named Vyv I might have made that connection myself lol.
Don't want (Score:2)
I don't know about technicalities, but for me as end user the value of Android is a choice of great hardware with familiar, reliable software. And I have stopped buying anything from Samsung because of abundance of crap an difficulty of its removal. For the millionth time, I do not want to open a web link in e-mail with "Internet". OnePlus somehow manages to add customizations without shoving them into my face.
If your voice assistant is so great, offer it as a download and I might try it out. So long as you
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Hello, more fragmentation (Score:2)
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Useless Features (Score:2)
Samsung needs to stop spending its customers' money on features the neither need nor want. It's absurd. They have created their own mobile payment, virtual reality, and now AI assistant platforms when all of the above already exist in Android and work just fine. It's ridiculous. This is why I will never purchase a Samsung phone. They are so obscenely expensive for a reason. They have to pay for the development of these features somehow.
if they want to spend that money, it should go into developing *op