Perplexity AI's Quiet Coup: Surpassing Siri and Google
For over a quarter-century, the phrase "Just Google it" has been synonymous with finding information. However, the landscape is shifting as users increasingly turn to AI chatbots and tools that integrate search results with LLM-powered chatbot information.
The Rise of AI Chatbots and Integrated Search
The shift away from traditional search engines is fueled by the rise of AI chatbots such as ChatGPT, Claude, Jasper, Chatsonic, HuggingChat, Socratic, Grok, DeepSeek, IBM watsonx Assistant, Pi, and Character AI. Furthermore, tools that integrate search results with LLM-powered chatbot information, including Google Search (with Gemini), Microsoft Bing (with Copilot), You.com, and Perplexity AI, are gaining popularity.
Users are increasingly seeking direct answers rather than just links to websites. This trend is particularly relevant in the context of personal assistants, which are poised to become ubiquitous in the future.
Imagine a future where smart glasses and other wearables provide seamless access to information through an always-present assistant that understands both the world and the user's individual needs. This future is rapidly becoming a reality.
Perplexity AI: A Great Leap Forward
Perplexity AI, launched in 2022, is a Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) system that provides direct answers to questions by searching the web in real time. It leverages AI models like GPT-4 and Claude 3 to understand user queries, find relevant information from news sites, academic journals, and databases, and present a concise summary with accompanying search links.
In February, Perplexity AI introduced a "Deep Research" feature that analyzes hundreds of sources to generate detailed and well-organized reports. Then, in April, the company unveiled a new version of its iPhone app, offering a glimpse into the future of always-present personal assistants.
Surpassing Siri: A Paradigm Shift
The updated iPhone app transforms Perplexity AI from a mere AI search tool into a genuine assistant. Remarkably, it can now perform tasks that even Siri, Apple's native assistant, cannot, despite Apple's notoriously closed and Apple-centric operating systems.
For instance, users can now use their voice to instruct Perplexity AI to play songs from Apple Music, open podcasts, set reminders, schedule calendar events, or book rides with Uber. It can also access the Apple Calendar to read appointments or add reminders, and it can use Apple Maps to provide directions or send emails via Apple Mail.
Enhanced Functionality and Integration
Perplexity AI extends its capabilities beyond Siri by integrating with third-party apps like OpenTable and YouTube. It can pre-fill reservation requests in OpenTable or queue up specific moments in YouTube videos based on user descriptions.
One of the most useful features is the ability to save every conversation as a "Thread" within the app, allowing users to revisit or continue previous tasks. Users can also create shortcuts to Perplexity AI on their home or lock screen for quick access.
However, there are limitations to what Apple allows Perplexity AI to do. It cannot directly send text messages, set alarms, control core iPhone functions like muting notifications, or access the camera for live object recognition.
Android Parity and Beyond
Android users have enjoyed many of these features since January. The Android version of Perplexity Assistant can write emails, set reminders, book rides, make reservations, play media, and even use the phone's camera to answer questions about what it sees or what's on the screen.
It functions as a layer on top of the device, integrating with various apps to eliminate the need to switch between them, and it supports multimodal input and multi-app actions. Some features, such as screen sharing and camera access for contextual awareness, are currently exclusive to Android.
The Persistent Assistant: A Glimpse into the Future
Perplexity AI's new iPhone app introduces a groundbreaking feature called "persistent listening." When enabled, the assistant remains active and listens for voice input even after the user leaves the app or switches to another task.
By tapping the voice icon or using the Action Button, users can initiate a session, and the assistant will keep the microphone open, eliminating the need to repeatedly press buttons or reopen the app to continue the conversation.
Continuous Listening and Contextual Awareness
The continuous listening feature remains active as long as the app or its background process is permitted to run by iOS. This allows for extended periods of interaction without interruption, provided the user doesn't close the app or revoke microphone access.
Unlike other voice assistants, Perplexity AI does not rely on a wake word like "Hey Siri." It only listens for input after a session has been initiated, preventing accidental responses to other conversations. The assistant maintains context and keeps the channel open until the user stops interacting for about a minute or closes the session, creating a seamless and intuitive experience.
The combination of continuous listening and private audio feedback through devices like Ray-Ban Meta glasses and AirPods offers a compelling glimpse into the future of personal assistance.
The Winner-Take-All War for Personal Assistants
Perplexity AI's ability to seamlessly integrate into daily routines has led to a significant shift in user behavior. The author notes that they no longer use Siri, even for basic tasks like setting reminders in Apple's Reminders app, and have also discontinued using Meta AI in their Ray-Ban Meta glasses for general information retrieval.
The tech industry is currently engaged in a fierce battle for dominance in the personal assistant market. The goal is to create tools that can perform tasks, access information, and provide assistance throughout the day, regardless of the user's location or activity.
The company that succeeds in establishing a strong foothold in this market could potentially shape user habits for decades to come.
Conclusion: Perplexity AI's Ascendancy
Perplexity AI's innovative approach and user-friendly features have positioned it as a frontrunner in the race to define the future of personal assistants. Its ability to surpass the capabilities of established players like Siri and Google demonstrates its potential to revolutionize the way people interact with technology and access information.
For now, Perplexity AI appears to be winning the war for personal assistant dominance.
