Perplexity is finally challenging Google head on. It has launched its AI-Powered web browser, Comet. Just like a celestial body, roaming around space, with its potential to alter worlds. Perplexity’s Comet is here to disrupt and possibly dismantle Google’s long-standing hegemony in the world of web browsing. Currently, it’s available to Perplexity’s exclusive subscribers for a $200 monthly plan and a limited group that signed-up in the waiting list.
Contrary to its competitors adding AI features as an afterthought, this one is by default built with an AI integration from scratch. The Comet Assistant stands there within the browser, ready to take orders and serve you with managing tabs, navigating web pages, automating routine tasks, summarizing emails and what not.
Perplexity’s move is bold. Yet, it comes with its own risks as well. Having users switched to a new browser other than google is notoriously difficult. Take Microsoft as a case study, where it struggled with getting its users switched to “edge” even after coupling it with Windows. As they say, “Old habits die hard”. Also, AI agents might be golden for simpler tasks, but as revealed by early testing that they “fall apart” with complicated and over crowded requests. Not to mention the unbridled access to personal data in the name of training the model for the better.
Perplexity’s CEO Arvind Srinivas positioning “Comet” as a breakthrough move to reach out to users without Google’s mediation does tell his goals. But, the punt he’s taking is the one that people would be willing to trade their privacy for a little more convenient browsing. On the other hand, this gamble of incorporating AI at the core of browsing, feels like a window to an advanced, more convenient, assistive and hassle free browsing experience.
