Introducing Comet: Perplexity's Bold New Browser

In a groundbreaking move, Perplexity has unveiled its ambitious AI-driven browser, Comet, designed to take on Google Chrome. Currently reserved for Perplexity Max subscribers and those on the early access waitlist, this innovative browser promises to transform your web browsing experience by seamlessly integrating AI into every interaction.

A Fresh Take on Search: The AI Answer Engine

Forget traditional search results! Comet replaces Google’s extensive listings with its unique Perplexity AI 'answer engine.' When you enter a query, it intelligently surfaces key links along with concise information, streamlining your search process. While it might lack the vast selection of Google, its distilled results can be a refreshing change.

Your AI Assistant at Your Fingertips

Comet comes equipped with a built-in AI assistant, reminiscent of Google's Gemini integration. Pressing the Assistant button reveals a chat interface where you can type or dictate questions about anything—be it topics of interest or content from the current webpage.

Get to Know Your Content with Ease

With Comet, you can effortlessly summarize articles, decipher images, and even delve into YouTube video content. It scans your open tabs to deliver relevant summaries and can compare products across different sites, making it a handy companion during research.

Task Automation: Does Comet Save You Time?

What truly sets Comet apart is its ability to perform tasks on your behalf. After integrating my Google account, I was astounded by its lightning-fast email drafting capabilities, and its ability to streamline my browsing by closing inactive tabs. It even took the initiative to post on my social media about an upcoming tech event.

AI Independence: The Showcase of Automation

I put Comet to the test by asking it to unsubscribe from two email lists and was impressed by its process: it navigated through emails, located the unsubscribe options, and executed the request. I also had it manage my LinkedIn invitations based on mutual connections, although I found that I could complete these simple tasks faster myself.

A Deeper Dive into Commanding the Browser

Unlock even more impressive capabilities with a simple prompt: "take control of my browser." This command empowers Comet to handle tasks beyond its default capabilities, such as summarizing comments on a Verge article—an area where many AI models still struggle.

Seamless Online Shopping and Booking—With a Few Hiccups

During my experience, I had Comet add items to my cart on Amazon and even check out without any manual input! However, it did stumble slightly when booking a restaurant reservation, failing to input my correct email and phone number initially. But this feedback loop could strengthen Comet’s future performance, according to Perplexity representatives.

Looking Ahead: A Real Challenger to Google?

While Comet exhibits greater capabilities than Chrome’s current integrations, it's clear Perplexity is poised for battle against Google's dominance in the web browsing arena. CEO Aravind Srinivas is adamant that Comet is just the beginning of their challenge to the tech giant's stronghold.