Perplexity's Exciting New Update!

Perplexity has just rolled out a game-changing update to its iOS app, featuring a powerful voice assistant that lets users streamline their everyday tasks. Imagine effortlessly composing emails, setting reminders, or making restaurant reservations—all just by using your voice!

Limitations and Unique Features

The new voice assistant excels even when you switch between apps, making multitasking a breeze. However, it does have its limitations compared to the Android version: it lacks screen-sharing capabilities and is compatible with older devices, including the iPhone 13 mini.

To get the most out of this feature, users need to grant permissions for tasks like accessing contacts and reminders. For instance, you can easily set reminders or shoot off a text message once you've provided the necessary permissions.

What's Missing?

While this assistant is impressive, it doesn't allow camera access or alarm setting. On the bright side, users can still engage in text-based conversations and get answers to image-related inquiries! This makes the voice assistant quite versatile despite its limitations.

A Journey Through Voice Assistant Evolution!

Let's take a moment to appreciate the evolution of voice technology. Perplexity's new assistant is a significant milestone in a journey that started back in 1961 with IBM’s Shoebox, the first digital speech recognition tool that could understand a mere 16 words. Fast forward through the years, and we see monumental advancements like Dragon Dictate and Apple’s Siri, which first brought voice assistants into the mainstream.

A Competitive Landscape!

Perplexity’s entrance into the iOS space signals a fierce competitive shift in the voice assistant market, projected to reach $5.4 billion by 2024 with a staggering growth rate of 25%. Notably, this new player targets older iPhone models, filling a gap left by Siri’s recent updates that favor new devices.

Backed by heavyweights like Nvidia and Jeff Bezos, Perplexity showcases a strong belief in its potential to challenge established brands. Usage trends reveal that 32% of consumers are now relying on voice assistants for more than just basic tasks, especially among millennials who prefer using voice tech for shopping and information retrieval.

The Future is Bright!

Perplexity's focus on practical applications, like making reservations and hailing rides, resonates with a growing consumer demand for voice assistants that can perform everyday actions. As competition heats up, the tech world eagerly anticipates what’s next for voice technology!