Perplexity launches AI browser, partnering with Coinbase
The well-known AI search engine startup Perplexity recently announced two major news items: the launch of its first AI web browser 'Comet' and a partnership with cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase.
This dual strategy shows that Perplexity aims not only to challenge Google in the search market but also to enter the cryptocurrency field, creating an AI-driven comprehensive digital experience.
What are the four core features of the Comet browser?
Currently, Comet is only available to users subscribed to the $200 per month Perplexity Max plan. CEO Aravind Srinivas stated that Comet's design philosophy is to transform the entire browsing session into a single, seamless experience.
According to hands-on testing by The Verge, the Comet browser has the following features and advantages:
Built-in AI search engine: Comet defaults to using Perplexity's AI search engine, providing AI-generated summary responses based on web results, placing the company's core product at the center of the browser.
Comet Assistant sidebar assistant: The AI assistant can see the web content users are browsing and answer related questions, eliminating the need for users to open new windows or copy and paste text.
Automated task handling: Comet can summarize emails and calendar events, manage tab labels, browse web pages on behalf of users, and even notify users of upcoming events while providing public transport navigation suggestions.
Cross-platform integration of agent tasks: Comet can handle agent tasks such as booking meetings, sending emails, and purchasing items, and even purchase products and reserve hotels on behalf of users.
Image source: Comet What are the four core features of the Comet browser?
Perplexity partners with Coinbase, AI browser ventures into cryptocurrency
The collaboration between Perplexity and Coinbase will be launched in two phases. The first phase began yesterday, where Perplexity will extract market data from Coinbase, including the COIN50 index, to provide market analysis capabilities for the Comet browser.
The second phase is expected to launch soon, which will directly link user query responses to Coinbase market data, establishing a direct connection between the Perplexity interface and Coinbase.
As large language models continue to evolve, Perplexity and other AI chatbots may eventually be able to execute cryptocurrency orders, rebalance portfolios, manage staking and yields, transforming the basic Q&A window into a comprehensive service trading platform.
Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong had stated as early as August 2024 that 'large language models (LLMs) should have cryptocurrency wallets' and oversaw the first cryptocurrency transaction fully managed by an AI robot.
Image source: The Cryptomist Perplexity partners with Coinbase, AI browser ventures into cryptocurrency
OpenAI is also rumored to be launching an AI browser, making market competition fierce
Perplexity was established in August 2022 and is currently valued at approximately $9 billion, having raised over $900 million in funding. Although the number of users is not as high as OpenAI's ChatGPT (with over 800 million weekly active users), it had over 10 million users as of January 2024.
However, The Verge believes that convincing users to change their browser habits may be more difficult than getting them to abandon Google searches. Whether Perplexity can break through in a market surrounded by existing giants through AI innovation and cryptocurrency integration remains to be seen.
The AI browser market is highly competitive. In addition to Google Chrome and Safari, The Browser Company launched the AI browser Dia in June, and OpenAI is reportedly considering launching its own browser, having already poached key employees from the Google Chrome team.
Three informed sources told Reuters that OpenAI is also set to launch an AI web browser. The sources indicated that this browser would allow OpenAI to integrate its AI agent products (like Operator) directly into the browsing experience, enabling the browser to perform tasks on behalf of users.
Further reading:
Cook uses ChatGPT, Huang Renxun likes Perplexity! A look at the AI assistants favored by tech giants
'Perplexity launches AI browser! More collaboration with Coinbase, could it allow AI to manage crypto assets in the future?' This article was first published on 'Crypto City'