Perplexity has recently unveiled its AI-driven browser, Comet, for mobile devices, starting with Android. Initially launched on desktop in July, Comet became broadly accessible by October after the company concluded its waitlist. The Android application was introduced following a pre-registration phase on Google Play, representing a crucial advancement as Perplexity seeks to deliver an AI-native browsing experience customized for mobile.
Perplexity’s CEO, Aravind Srinivas, highlighted the intentional effort required to tailor Comet for each operating system and device format, guaranteeing a smooth mobile experience instead of simply duplicating the desktop version. This strategy is noteworthy as many tech firms tend to prioritize iPhone launches. Nonetheless, Perplexity’s emphasis on Android may be attributed to easier access to specific resources, such as the phone’s microphone for voice interactions with the Comet assistant.
The Comet browser for Android provides users with an AI assistant capable of responding to inquiries and executing actions related to the content being viewed. The assistant features enhanced reasoning capabilities and allows users to influence its workflow. Moreover, the app incorporates a Voice Mode, permitting users to participate in voice interactions regarding open tabs, and a smart summarization tool that consolidates information across tabs.
Comet also includes an integrated ad blocker, touted as the “most advanced” tool in the industry for reducing online interruptions. However, this functionality appears to conflict with Perplexity’s previous claims about wanting to learn from users for customized ad experiences.
Comet is presently available at no cost on the Google Play store for Android users, with no confirmed release date for the iPhone version.
