1. Launch in India:
- Perplexity AI has launched its AI-powered Comet browser in India. The company aims to reach the world’s largest internet population, and India is emerging as a key market.
2. Paying Only:
- The Comet browser is only available to Perplexity Pro subscribers. This means that the browser is not free to use; instead, a payment is required.
3. Device Support:
- The browser is currently available immediately on Windows and macOS. Pre-orders are open for Android users, and iOS support will be available in the future.
4. AI-First Browsing:
- The Comet AI browser comes with a traditional Chromium experience, but its biggest highlight is the always-active AI sidebar. This AI can perform tasks for you, such as writing emails, scheduling meetings, and shopping online.
5. Key Features:
- Comet Browser can handle multi-tab workflows, search for information across websites, compare product prices and reviews, and even authorize transactions. This means your browser becomes an active “thinking partner” rather than just a passive tool.
6. Less Tab Clutter:
- Comet aims to ensure users don’t lose context while working on different pages. The browser maintains context across projects and tasks and reduces tab clutter.
7. Data Security:
Browsing history and AI interactions are stored entirely locally. This is protected by end-to-end encryption and offers seamless integration with tools like password managers.
8. Enterprise Focus:
- The company has highlighted admin controls, compliance, and security features specifically for corporate users. This is part of a strategy to attract large business customers as well.
9. Strategy in India:
- For this launch in India, Perplexity AI has partnered with Bharti Airtel. Millions of Airtel customers will receive one year of complimentary Perplexity Pro access. The company also plans to hire employees in India and expand locally.
10. Future Potential and Challenges:
- India offers a large digital user base and the opportunity to adopt AI-assisted features. However, it remains to be seen whether major companies like Google and Microsoft will introduce similar AI features into their browsers. Furthermore, the stances of regulators and online publishers could significantly impact Comet’s capabilities and data access.
