Perplexity AI, the search startup nipping at Google’s heels (and occasionally, allegedly, at publishers’ content), is apparently building a web browser. Yes, you read that right. Another one. Called ‘Comet,’ it’s promising ‘agentic search,’ which, let’s be honest, sounds like something straight out of a sci-fi film where your browser does all the heavy lifting (and possibly develops a sentience).
The announcement, delivered via a cryptic post on X (formerly that other bird app), offers precisely zero details beyond the name and the vague aspiration to ‘reinvent the browser’. This, of course, begs the question: reinvent it how? By adding more tabs than humanly manageable? By finally solving the existential crisis of the ‘are you a robot?’ captcha? Only time (and Perplexity’s development team) will tell.
The Browser Battlefield: A Crowded Space
Let’s face it: the browser market is about as welcoming as a polar bear’s hug. Google Chrome reigns supreme, a digital juggernaut crushing all before it. Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, Opera, Vivaldi – they’re all fighting for scraps in Chrome’s shadow. And now, Perplexity wants to join the fray? Bold move.
Comet will also have to contend with Dia, The Browser Company’s AI-native browser. Dia apparently aims to let you use natural language to find stuff or create calendar events. If Comet is to compete, it has to bring something to the table.
Agentic Search: What Does It Even Mean?
Perplexity’s alluding to “agentic search” suggests AI that doesn’t just find information, but acts on your behalf. Think automated booking of flights after researching the cheapest options, or perhaps instantly summarising complex documents. The possibilities, at least in theory, are vast. Whether the reality lives up to the hype remains to be seen.
Some AI types are already suggesting features like real-time voice interaction, but until Perplexity actually say what the browser will do, we can’t know if this will be another case of someone over-promising and under-delivering.
Can Perplexity Actually Pull This Off?
Perplexity is betting it can leverage its existing user base to gain traction. The problem? Those users are already accustomed to…well, not using Perplexity as a browser. Will they switch? Will Comet be compelling enough to lure users away from the Chrome (or Edge, or Firefox) comfort zone? Or will it just be another app clogging up our already overcrowded digital lives?
It’s an interesting development, though. For the most part, AI is found in chatbots, or baked into existing apps. Perplexity might be able to create a new category of product.
The Elephant in the Room: Content Stealing Accusations
Let’s not forget the controversy swirling around Perplexity. Accusations of content theft from publishers like the New York Post and News Corp. have led to lawsuits and cease-and-desist letters. Perplexity claims to respect publishers and offers revenue-sharing, but the legal battles continue.
So, as we eagerly (or perhaps cautiously) await Comet, the AI-powered browser that promises to reinvent the wheel (again), let’s remember: the internet is a wild west, and even the most promising stars can quickly burn out. Whether Comet soars or crashes remains to be seen. One thing’s for sure: it’ll be interesting to watch the launch.
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