Samsung Galaxy S8 release date, specs rumors: Flagship postponed to April 2017? AI digital assistant planned

People are silhouetted as they pose with mobile devices in front of a screen projected with a Samsung logo. August 24, 2016Reuters/Dado Ruvic

Samsung Galaxy S8 was previously rumored to arrive earlier than expected to make up for the disastrous launch of the Samsung Galaxy Note 7, but this might not be the case after all.

According to Wall Street Journal, Samsung is thinking of delaying the announcement for the flagship as they have yet to figure out the reason behind the battery explosions of the Note 7.

Instead of a reveal at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in February, the Samsung Galaxy S8 is not expected to see the light of day until April.

It is believed that the delay will buy the South Korean giant more time to make sure that the Samsung Galaxy S8 will be a device that will restore the confidence of users and to avoid another Note 7 debacle.

It looks like Samsung's flagship offering will be worth the wait with Wall Street Journal reporting that the Samsung Galaxy S8 will finally integrate a virtual assistant, which is being likened to Apple's Siri.

The publication says, citing sources familiar with the project, that the smartphone will sport a dedicated button for an improved artificial intelligence (AI) feature that will be placed on the side of the smartphone.

For this, Samsung would use the help of U.S. AI start-up Viv Labs Inc, which the company acquired early last month. Samsung mobile division chief technology officer Injong Rhee added that Viv will also provide "significantly differentiated" services not found in other competition.

The tech giant has not been big on AI or digital assistants, but its desire to redeem itself, to grow as a company and to keep up with the competition should make Samsung Galaxy S8 the one to watch.

Wall Street Journal says that Samsung will use the AI virtual assistant as the selling point of the Samsung Galaxy S8 and hopes that this innovation can help them earn back the trust of users.