Perplexity announces AI web browser 'Comet' to rival Google Chrome
What's the story
Perplexity, the company behind the AI-powered search engine, has announced plans to build its own web browser called Comet. The firm announced the news in a post on X, where it also launched a sign-up list for the upcoming browser. However, the release date and design are yet to be revealed. With the introduction of Comet, Perplexity will be stepping into a highly competitive browser market, which is already dominated by established players like Google Chrome.
Market competition
Comet to compete in crowded browser market
The market has several third-party alternative browsers, including the soon-to-be-launched Dia browser from The Browser Company. This new entrant promises AI-powered features that could potentially rival those offered by Perplexity's own platform. A Perplexity representative told TechCrunch in an email that they're "reinventing the browser," just like they did with search technology.
Obstacles
Expansion and legal challenges
Despite battling legal troubles with publishers such as News Corp's Dow Jones and the New York Post (who accused it of "content kleptocracy"), Perplexity is expanding its product line. The company recently introduced a deep research product to take on offerings from OpenAI, Google, and xAI. This came after the January launch of an AI-powered assistant for Android users and an API for AI search.
Financial overview
Perplexity's funding and valuation
Since its launch in 2022, Perplexity has raised over $500 million from VCs and is currently valued at a whopping $9 billion. The AI-powered search engine processes over 100 million queries every week as part of its expansion strategy. This includes efforts to monetize with an advertising program, despite being embroiled in legal battles with a few publishers.