Galaxy S26 switching to ‘Hey Perplexity’ wake word for its third AI assistant

Samsung is fragmenting its own AI ecosystem by introducing yet another voice assistant to compete with its existing options, a puzzling strategy that suggests the tech giant still hasn't figured out what role artificial intelligence should play on its flagship phones. The move to adopt Perplexity's wake word on the Galaxy S26 marks an unusual bet on a third-party AI startup over Samsung's own capabilities, raising questions about whether the company is outsourcing its AI future or simply hedging its bets in a rapidly shifting market. For consumers already juggling Bixby and Google Assistant, the new friction point could prove either liberating or maddening—and for Samsung shareholders, it's a sign the company may be losing confidence in

9to5Google·5d ago