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Perplexity Enhances iOS App with Conversational AI Voice Assistant

Perplexity has recently introduced an update to its iOS app, adding functionality for its conversational AI voice assistant. This development allows Apple users to engage with the assistant directly within the app for a variety of tasks, including composing emails, setting reminders, and making dinner reservations.

The assistant can be interacted with even if the user navigates away from the app, although it currently lacks the screen-sharing capability available on its Android counterpart. Additionally, while Apple is poised to enhance its own Siri functionalities through Apple Intelligence, many of these features could still be over a year away from launch. A notable advantage for Perplexity’s assistant is its compatibility with older devices, including models like the iPhone 13 mini.

When Perplexity launched its Android application in January, a spokesperson indicated that expansion to iPhones and iPads would depend on obtaining the necessary permissions from Apple. It appears that these permissions have now been secured, allowing for this update.

Upon downloading the Perplexity app for the first time on an iPhone, I tested its capabilities by requesting it to set a cooking reminder for 7 PM. I was prompted to grant permission for the app to access my reminders, which I approved, leading to successful addition of the reminder. When I attempted to draft a text message, Perplexity requested access to my contacts; although I declined, I appreciated the assistant suggesting that I could verbally provide a phone number instead of encountering a dead end.

I also explored its restaurant reservation feature as demonstrated in their promotional video. The assistant initiated Open Table and populated the specified dates and times based on my spoken instructions. However, users are still required to finalize the booking manually within the app interface. Furthermore, Perplexity can facilitate ride requests through the Uber app.

Despite its advancements, Perplexity’s voice assistant does have certain limitations on iOS. Notably, it does not have the capability to visually interpret what users are seeing through their camera, a feature available in other AI tools like ChatGPT and Grok. Nevertheless, users can still interact with the text-based chatbot to inquire about images. Additionally, the assistant cannot manage scheduled alarms on the iPhone, necessitating the use of Siri for that specific function.

Source
www.theverge.com