Perplexity’s Comet AI browser now free; Max users get new 'background assistant'

TechCrunch
TechCrunch
3M ago
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Perplexity has made its Comet AI browser free for all users, introducing a new background assistant for paid subscribers to enhance productivity.
Perplexity’s Comet AI browser now free; Max users get new 'background assistant'
A What happened
Perplexity has made its Comet AI browser available for free to users worldwide, a strategic move to compete against established browsers like Google Chrome and newer entrants such as The Browser Company's AI-powered Dia. Initially launched for paid subscribers of its Max plan, Comet features a sidecar assistant that aids users in browsing by answering questions, summarizing content, and managing web pages. For paid users, a new background assistant has been introduced, allowing for multitasking and task management from a central dashboard. This assistant can perform various tasks simultaneously, such as sending emails and finding travel options. While free users have limited access, they can utilize tools for personalized news, project organization, and shopping assistance. The launch of Comet comes as Perplexity faces competition from other AI browser developments, including OpenAI's upcoming browser.

Key insights

  • 1

    Free Access: Comet AI browser is now free for all users.

  • 2

    Background Assistant: Paid subscribers can utilize a new multitasking background assistant.

  • 3

    Competitive Landscape: Perplexity aims to compete with major and emerging AI browsers.

Takeaways

Perplexity's move to offer Comet for free may reshape the competitive landscape of AI-powered browsers.

Topics

Technology & Innovation Artificial Intelligence Gadgets