Samsung Galaxy S8’s Much-Anticipated AI Button Might Not Be Ready Until April 2017

Following Galaxy Note 7's battery debacle, South Korean tech mammoth Samsung may be taking it slow and steady. Reports have it that the much-hyped dedicated button for its Artificial Intelligence (AI) feature won't be ready until April 2017 for the upcoming Galaxy S8.

#GalaxyS8 #Smartphone – Galaxy S8 release date, features, specs, ... https://t.co/F6J1TsAl78 / pic.twitter.com/d6OaMo3nJm

— Samsung Galaxy S8 (@iGalaxyS8) May 23, 2016

Ibtimes.co.uk said Samsung may have learned its lesson from the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 battery problem. Apparently, the new model was released early in the hopes of presenting itself as the rival to the all-encompassing iPhone 7. However, reports of exploding batteries have forced Samsung to recall millions of Samsung Galaxy Note 7 units from across the globe.

The Wall Street Journal reported that the "possible unveiling in April would mark a break in company's traditional launches for past three years, wherein it used to take the stage at MWC to showcase its high-end Galaxy S series handset."

The reprieve will give Samsung a chance to fine-tune the features it plans to include in the newest iteration of its premium smartphone line, which would include Samsung Galaxy 8.

Techtimes.com disclosed that based on prototypes, Samsung Galaxy 8's AI button will be placed on the phone's side. Once the button is pressed, the phone will automatically display the AI Virtual assistant. It's unclear though whether it's going to be a physical button or a touch screen one. "Since Samsung is rumored to be ditching physical buttons for power and volume, it shouldn't come as much of a surprise that the AI switch will also be touch based," the article explained.

The AI digital assistant service will be included in the Samsung Galaxy S8 rollout. This feature is meant to compete with Google Assistant, Siri, Cortana and Alexa from rival companies.

Injong Rhee, mobile chief technology officer of Samsung, had said the Samsung Galaxy S8's AI service offers technology from Viv labs. Apart from the Samsung Galaxy S8, Rhee stressed that Viv's AI technology will also be incorporated in home appliances, electronics, and other wearable devices developed by the company.