Perplexity – an artificial intelligence startup – has unveiled a new AI-driven assistant for Android devices, aiming to challenge the dominance of established players like OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Apple’s Siri, and Amazon’s Alexa. Perplexity Assistant launched is now available for download on the Google Play Store in 15 different languages.
The innovative AI assistant is designed to perform a variety of tasks that users typically rely on digital assistants for, such as booking dinner reservations, hailing rides through popular apps, setting reminders, and more. This positions Perplexity’s offering as a potential rival to the already-established AI assistants in the market. The startup is backed by high-profile investors, including tech giant Nvidia and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, which has helped accelerate its development.
The startup has also expressed interest in expanding its availability to iOS devices, with a spokesperson revealing that they are currently awaiting the necessary permissions from Apple. “If Apple gives us the right permissions, we’re ready to launch on iOS,” the spokesperson said. The company’s move highlights its commitment to broadening its reach across platforms in the future.
Perplexity’s announcement comes shortly after OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, launched a similar feature called “Tasks” for its Team and Pro users on the web. This feature is designed to enhance ChatGPT’s capabilities, offering users a more integrated and useful assistant experience.
Apple and Amazon are also advancing their respective voice assistants, with Apple introducing a new version of Siri incorporating Apple Intelligence and forming a partnership with OpenAI to integrate ChatGPT into their devices, pending user permission.
Meanwhile, Amazon is expected to release a refreshed version of Alexa in the near future. CEO Andy Jassy confirmed in December that an updated version of the voice assistant is set to launch in the coming months, indicating the company’s ongoing investment in AI-driven technologies to compete in this rapidly evolving sector.