Perplexity AI wants to pre-install Comet browser on your phone

Perplexity AI is stepping up its game in the browser market by launching its Comet browser for Android, following its earlier releases for Windows and Mac. CEO Aravind Srinivas has revealed to Reuters that the company is currently in discussions with smartphone manufacturers to have the Comet browser pre-installed on their devices. Traditionally, most smartphones come with Google Chrome already on board, often accompanied by an additional browser depending on the manufacturer, such as Samsung’s Internet app or OnePlus’s ‘Internet’ app. A pre-installed Comet browser could significantly boost its visibility and user retention, capitalizing on the growing interest in AI-driven applications. Built on the popular Chromium architecture, Comet offers a familiar interface for existing Chrome users, making the transition seamless. However, Srinivas acknowledges the challenge in persuading mobile OEMs to replace Chrome with Comet as the default browser. He shared his insights on the difficulties faced in getting Comet pre-installed, stating that it is not an easy task. Earlier this year, during the Google antitrust case, Perplexity's Chief Business Officer, Dmitry Shevelenko, noted that Google had obstructed efforts to make Perplexity the default assistant for Motorola devices, despite prior agreements. He likened Google's contracts with smartphone makers to having a “gun to your head.” Despite these hurdles, Perplexity successfully secured a spot for its app on Motorola devices, while Google Assistant continued as the default option. Additionally, a Bloomberg report indicated that Perplexity is collaborating with both Samsung and Apple to potentially integrate its AI search technology into their respective assistants. While Apple uses its own infrastructure for Siri and leverages ChatGPT for complex queries, Samsung has been utilizing Google’s Gemini for its AI functionalities. When asked about the Android release timeline for Comet during a recent AMA, Srinivas refrained from providing specifics, only stating that the team is making rapid progress. He did mention that the iOS version could be available within the next two to three months. Currently, Comet is in its beta phase, accessible exclusively to paying customers on desktop platforms, while free users can join through an invite system. Srinivas envisions bringing Comet to “tens of hundreds of millions” of users next year, following the stabilization of the desktop version for initial testers.