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Perplexity AI Introduces a New Voice Assistant for iOSThe assistant enables users to navigate apps like OpenTable or YouTube, filling in tasks such as reservations and searchesPerplexity presents a compelling alternative to Siri, enhancing user experience with its features
Following its debut on Android, Perplexity AI is now unveiling a voice assistant for iOS, aimed at positioning itself as a preferred choice over the native Siri. iPhone users may find several advantages that encourage them to choose Perplexity’s offering instead.
This voice assistant is designed to be more proactive, enhancing user interactions beyond what Siri traditionally offers. For example, when tasked with securing a dinner reservation, the assistant can seamlessly navigate the OpenTable app, filling in essential details like party size, preferred date, and time, allowing users to simply confirm with a tap of the button.
Similarly, when looking for specific moments in YouTube videos, users can describe the scene they are searching for and have it queued almost instantly, illustrating a notable improvement in efficiency.
While Perplexity’s capabilities overlap with some of Siri’s functions—like composing emails and scheduling calendar events—it stands out in its ability to interpret casual language better. This advantage pairs well with its proactive approach to assistance.
For instance, if a user asks Siri for information about an event happening over the weekend, the standard response is typically, “Here’s what I found on the web.” In contrast, Perplexity’s assistant might proactively state, “I’ve already completed the form; all you need to do is hit send.”
That said, the new assistant is not without limitations. Users must independently open the app and initiate a conversation by tapping the microphone icon. However, the interaction allows for adjustments to requests without needing to restart the inquiry entirely.
There are also some significant restrictions on the iOS version, as it currently lacks features like setting alarms, controlling core iPhone functionalities (e.g., muting notifications or taking photos), and accessing the camera for real-time visual input—functions that some competing assistants, such as ChatGPT’s voice capabilities, do support.
The Rise of Perplexity
By offering functionalities that extend beyond simple queries, Perplexity is clearly targeting a gap in the voice assistant market, positioning itself to not only inform users but also perform tasks on their behalf. This “agentic AI” strategy mirrors trends in other AI services, including ChatGPT and Gemini, which are exploring similar functionalities.
The overarching goal is to transition from conventional voice assistants to fully autonomous digital agents. Currently, while Perplexity cannot finalize a reservation on its own without user confirmation, future advancements may change that dynamic significantly.
Apple has been monitoring this shift in user expectations but has been relatively slow in its response. Despite recent enhancements in Siri’s functionality, the highly anticipated generative AI integration announced for upcoming iterations of iOS 18 has faced delays, with Apple now projecting its release sometime in the following year.
Nonetheless, By extending its voice assistant capabilities to iOS and integrating practical tools like OpenTable and YouTube, Perplexity is establishing itself as a versatile alternative to traditional AI assistants. Users looking for a more seamless interaction might soon find that saying, “Find me tacos and make the reservation,” and having it simply respond, “Done,” makes Perplexity’s voice assistant a potential go-to for their iPhone needs.
Further Insights
Source
www.techradar.com