Perplexity AI Voice Assistant Now Available on iOS Platform
Perplexity AI, the San Francisco-based search engine known for its AI-driven capabilities, has officially launched its voice assistant on iOS devices. This move expands the availability of the tool, which was initially released on Android in January, marking a significant step in the company's strategy to compete with established AI assistants in the market. Backed by investors like Nvidia and Jeff Bezos, Perplexity is positioning itself as a key player in the future of AI-powered search and information retrieval.
Functionality and Features
The voice assistant within the Perplexity iOS app offers users the ability to interact with the search engine hands-free. Located in the search bar at the bottom of the app's interface, activating the microphone allows users to engage in voice-based queries. Beyond simple information retrieval, the assistant is designed to facilitate practical tasks such as booking restaurant reservations, arranging rideshares, providing directions, managing calendar events, playing music, and even drafting and sending emails.
During testing, the voice assistant demonstrated its ability to provide location-based recommendations. For example, when asked to identify the best coffee shops nearby, it generated a map of highly-rated establishments in London, drawing data from sources like TripAdvisor and Google Maps to offer informed suggestions based on user ratings and reviews.
Competitive Landscape
Perplexity's introduction of its voice assistant on iOS occurs amidst a growing trend among tech companies to develop and deploy advanced multimodal AI assistants. Google's Gemini Live, OpenAI's ChatGPT Voice Mode, and AI startup Sesame are also vying for dominance in this space, each offering unique features and functionalities designed to enhance user experience through seamless, voice-driven interactions. The market is becoming increasingly competitive, pushing companies to innovate and refine their AI offerings.
This launch follows Perplexity's recent unveiling of its Deep Research tool, powered by DeepSeek R1, further demonstrating the company's commitment to advancing AI-driven research and search capabilities. The integration of voice functionality into its iOS app underscores Perplexity's ambition to establish itself as a leading force in the evolving landscape of AI-powered information services.
Source: Mashable