Perplexity has rolled out Comet, its new AI-powered browser, on the App Store for iPhone users. Originally set to launch on March 11, the app arrived about a week later than expected. Currently, there’s no version available for iPad.
Like most browsers on iOS, Comet uses WebKit because Apple requires it, so it doesn’t stand out for rendering speed or performance. Instead, the browser emphasizes what happens after a page loads, integrating Perplexity’s answer engine directly alongside web content.
What Perplexity’s Comet AI Browser Does on iPhone
The browser’s main feature is a handy AI assistant that works right alongside your open pages. You can ask it questions about what you’re reading, get quick summaries, or pull out specific details, all without leaving the site. The assistant knows which tab you’re on and can discuss its content in real time.
Voice mode is built in, so you can speak your questions aloud and get answers instantly, no typing needed.
For different types of searches, the browser uses a hybrid approach. Simple queries like sports scores or local business info get straightforward results. More complex questions are handled by the Comet Assistant, which uses Perplexity’s answer engine and cites its sources.
There’s also a Deep Research feature that scans multiple web sources at once, providing summarized answers with references.
Plus, the assistant can handle multi-step tasks on its own. For example, it can open up a calendar event, look up meeting invites on LinkedIn and the web, and even prepare a brief with suggested questions, all without you needing to jump between apps.
Comet Browser Cross?Device Sync Between iPhone and Desktop
Research threads and browsing history sync seamlessly between the iOS app and the desktop version of Comet. This means you can start a task on your laptop and pick up right where you left off on your iPhone, all without losing any context.
Comet Sync Between iOS and Desktop
Perplexity gathers browsing and search history from Comet to create targeted ad profiles. The company hasn’t offered an option to opt out of this data collection within the app. Comet is available for free download, with additional paid tiers. As of now, Perplexity hasn’t announced any plans for an iPad version.
What the Comet AI Browser Means for iPhone Browsing
Comet shows us a company’s move toward AI-powered browsing; now, browsing actively helps process and understand tasks. With features that extend beyond simple search to task management and research, Perplexity is positioning Comet as a personal assistant right inside your browser, offering a new way to interact with the web.
