Samsung's Now Bar Adds Two Critical Features With One UI 8

Contents

Everyday functions on a powerful new feature

Summary

The One UI 8 beta indicates important improvements, with plans for Now Bar access to phone calls and Do Not Disturb mode.
Samsung’s Now Bar in One UI 7 lacked direction, but updates like Google Sports and better notifications have enhanced its functionality.
The Now Bar already offers key features like media player and voice recorder integration, and could see more upgrades before the One UI 8 launch.

When the Now Bar arrived with One UI 7, savvy users were quick to point out it didn’t actually serve much purpose. Since then, Samsung has added helpful functionality like Google Sports access and better notification control, but the feature still has a ways to go.

But it is making progress, and One UI 8 should bring a lot of it to fruition. We’ve already seen plans to integrate Android 16’s Live Updates, and the beta program is officially live for Samsung’s next bespoke Android interface. From that beta software comes evidence that two of a smartphone’s most important functions — phone calls and Do Not Disturb mode — are planned for Now Bar access when Samsung’s next-generation OS rolls around (Source: Android Authority).

Everyday functions on a powerful new feature

A truly useful Now Bar, at long last

The One UI 8 beta’s Now Bar in action. Screenshots courtesy of Zac Kew-Denniss of Android Authority.

These aren’t the first Now Bar additions that deserve attention. It already offers easy access to features that need it most, including a media player, voice recorder, AI-powered note-taking app, instant emergency contact, and more. In light of how much Samsung hyped up the persistent widget, it makes sense we’re seeing increased functionality.

It also isn’t surprising that call handling and Do Not Disturb mode are among the first and biggest upgrades to the Now Bar, after an early May leak predicted their arrival. One UI 8 might not be a groundbreaking revamp like One UI 7 was, but there won’t be much downtime between the two releases, due to Google’s updated Android release schedule. Plus, One UI 7 isn’t perfect, and a little refinement is always welcome.

It’s a good thing Samsung is fulfilling its promises surrounding the Now Bar, too. In several months, it’ll flip the switch, requiring a paid subscription for the most advanced AI features, and Galaxy AI still doesn’t convince everybody it’s worth a monthly fee. With crunch time approaching for Samsung’s novel AI featureset, it’s relieving to get a sign that One UI integrations like the Now Bar are still constantly improving.