Perplexity

09.07.25. Perplexity launches own browser Comet



AI search engine Perplexity wants to compete with Google. But it's an inherently uneven fight, as long as Google controls the Chrome browser (used by 80% of users) and its default search engine. So the guys at Perplexity decided to launch their own browser – Comet. How does it want to beat Chrome? Well, it has a sidebar assistant that can respond and even perform actions based on the context of the open page and even within the context of browsing history. Will it succeed? No. And even if Google gets lazy and doesn't implement a similar sidebar assistant in Chrome. A browser's primary job is to display web pages correctly, and no one can compete with Chrome in this area, because Google sets web standards. And although Comet uses the open-source Chromium engine, it needs Microsoft-like capabilities to barely keep up with Google. However, there's a catch. A lawsuit is currently underway in the US that could force Google to sell the Chrome browser, and then Comet's Perplexity bet could pay off.


2023. AI search engine Perplexity AI raises $25.6M



Perplexity AI, a startup developing a search engine with chatbot answers that identifies sources and suggests similar queries, has raised $25.6 million. The service differs from a typical search engine in that it does not have any other links to websites. Users can view a short or detailed answer, as well as interact with sources—delete, add new ones, and follow links. In addition to its website, Perplexity AI has a Google Chrome extension that allows, for example, summarizing ideas from articles. The startup has also launched a free iOS app. Interestingly, in March 2023, Adept, a developer in the same field, raised $350 million, and Character.AI raised $150 million.