Samsung’s infamous Bixby button on the Galaxy S8 is about to get locked down. In a new software update rolling out to T-Mobile users of both the S8 and S8+ (via Android Police), Samsung is blocking any type of third-party remapping of the button so users can only use it to activate its AI assistant, Bixby. This comes after the roller coaster that was the month of April when it was originally discovered the button could be remapped, then couldn’t, and then could again. Now, you’ll be forced to use Bixby whenever you hit that button you’ll probably think is the power button at least once.
Also in this update is yet another user hostile feature: you can no longer choose a black background for your navigation bar. Now, you’ll be stuck with junky pastel colors and white. This really stinks since so many devices opt for a simple black nav bar rather gravitating towards boring colors like pink, purple, and what looks like some kind of orange or maybe reddish yellow.
Luckily, you do get the June security patch in this update alongside the ability to hide your nav bar at your command if you want more content on your screen, but this still doesn’t make up for these two heavy-hitting user-hostile features I’m sure not many people will appreciate.
Only T-Mobile users are getting this update so far, but I wouldn’t be surprised if AT&T and Verizon customers get the same software in the near future.
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