Perplexity has started sending early invitations for its innovative AI browser, Comet, to Android users. CEO Aravind Srinivas has asserted that this AI browser could render Android obsolete. The announcement was made via X (formerly Twitter), indicating that invite links are being distributed to a select group of Android users. Since its launch on desktop, Comet has transformed browsing by enabling the AI to manage intricate tasks, such as booking flights and online shopping, using straightforward prompts. Early invitations for Comet on Android are being issued, and users can enhance their chances for early access based on their usage of Perplexity on Android and whether they hold Pro or Max subscriptions. More invitations are expected soon.
With Comet now available on Android, Perplexity seeks to integrate these features into mobile experiences. According to Srinivas, users who frequently engage with Perplexity on Android and those subscribed to premium tiers will likely receive invites ahead of others. While the desktop version of Comet is publicly accessible, the mobile version is currently limited to early access users as the company evaluates the AI browser’s performance on mobile devices. Comet’s goal is to supplant traditional app ecosystems by enabling users to accomplish almost any digital task via natural language, which could minimize reliance on operating systems like Android for managing various applications. Srinivas expressed confidence in Comet’s potential to render Android unnecessary.
If this vision becomes reality, Comet could transform the way users engage with their devices by shifting from app navigation to simply stating tasks. For instance, instead of launching a flight booking app, users could instruct Comet to find and reserve the most affordable flight. Srinivas also mentioned that Comet will soon be available on iOS, indicating the AI browser’s ambition to function as a cross-platform solution independent of existing mobile ecosystems. Perplexity is not the only contender in the development of next-gen AI browsers; OpenAI recently introduced ChatGPT Atlas, while Microsoft Edge and Google Chrome continue to adopt advanced AI technologies.
Notably, Perplexity, under Srinivas’s leadership, even attempted to acquire Google Chrome for $34.5 billion earlier this year, highlighting the company’s aspirations in the browser sector. Despite facing competition, the launch of Comet on Android marks a significant achievement for Perplexity. The browser is built on Chromium, Google’s open-source web project that also underpins Chrome, Edge, and several other browsers. As the era of AI-driven browsing progresses, Comet’s fusion of automation, natural language processing, and proactive task execution could redefine mobile computing and, if Srinivas’s predictions hold true, potentially alter the future of Android itself.
