Talks Begin to Preload AI-Powered Comet on Smartphones
Perplexity, the AI search engine startup backed by Nvidia, is now entering the mobile battlefield. CEO Aravind Srinivas confirmed that the company is in early talks with smartphone manufacturers to pre-install its new AI browser — Comet — on devices.
This move could change how users interact with the web, given how most people stick to default browsers that come with their phones.
Why Pre-Installing Matters?
Browser “stickiness” is real. Users often don’t change default apps. Google Chrome currently benefits from this behavior. According to Statcounter, Chrome controls around 70% of the mobile browser market. Safari and Samsung’s browser share another 24%.
By getting Comet pre-installed, Perplexity aims to capture user attention early and hold it.
Comet: A Smarter AI-Driven Browser
Comet, still in beta on desktops, offers built-in AI tools. These tools help users summarise webpages, read emails, manage calendars, and even schedule meetings—without needing separate apps.
This is part of a broader trend: agentic AI browsers. These smart browsers can perform actions with little human input. They aim to become proactive digital assistants, not just passive gateways to the web.
Apple and Samsung Discussions On the Table
Bloomberg had earlier reported that Perplexity is exploring partnerships with Apple and Samsung. The discussions aim to enhance AI experiences in digital assistants like Siri or Bixby using Perplexity’s tech.
While no official deal has been signed, the potential to reshape the mobile browsing landscape is growing fast.
Challenging Chrome Won’t Be Easy
CEO Srinivas admitted the difficulty: “It’s not easy to convince mobile OEMs to change the default browser to Comet from Chrome.” Chrome’s deep integration with Android makes it the default choice for billions.
Still, Perplexity believes that AI can change that. With its new tools and smarter interface, Comet aims to win users through utility and convenience.
What’s Next for Perplexity?
The company targets “tens to hundreds of millions” of users next year. For now, it’s stabilising the desktop experience with initial testers before going mobile.
This comes shortly after OpenAI revealed plans for its own AI browser, hinting at bigger disruptions ahead in the browser space.
Big Backing, Bigger Ambitions
Perplexity recently raised $500 million in funding, pushing its valuation to $14 billion. Investors include Nvidia, Accel, Jeff Bezos, and former Google CEO Eric Schmidt.
With this backing, Perplexity is ready to take on established giants in the web space.
