Samsung's Galaxy S8 phone aims to dispel the Note 7 debacle
The Galaxy S8 features a larger display than its predecessor, the Galaxy S7, and sports a voice assistant intended to rival Siri and Google Assistant.
Samsung has blamed the Note 7 fires on multiple design and manufacturing defects in its batteries.
Inspectors concluded that the initial batteries were too small for their capacity, and that their external pouch put pressure on the internal structure, leading to damage and overheating.
Samsung recalled the phones and shipped replacements, but the newer batteries had welding defects and a lack of protective tape in some battery cells.
The company says phones will now go through multiple inspections, including X-rays and stress tests at extreme temperatures.
Samsung says that software and processor efficiencies will let the new phones offer all-day battery life under normal use.
Other apps will be able to adopt Bixby, but Samsung has had a mixed track record in getting other companies to support its home-brewed functions like Bixby.
An optional docking station will turn the S8 phone into a desktop computer when connected to a regular TV.
