Latest news with #AravindSrinivas
CNET
4 days ago
- CNET
What Is Perplexity? Here's Everything You Need to Know About This AI Chatbot
Search engines hadn't changed much in a very long time -- until AI search entered the scene. Perplexity is one of the artificial intelligence platforms trying to reshape how we find answers online by skipping the list of links and delivering direct, conversational results. Unlike traditional Google Search, which sends you off to other sites, Perplexity tries to be the site. You can use it on the web or download its free app for Android, iOS, Mac and Windows. Perplexity AI was founded in August 2022 by Aravind Srinivas (formerly a research scientist at OpenAI), Denis Yarats (with experience at Facebook AI Research), Johnny Ho (ex-Quora engineer) and Andy Konwinski (a Databricks co-founder). In a short time, it has grown from a scrappy startup into a fast-evolving generative AI tool with pro features and an agentic AI shopping assistant that can make purchases on your behalf. It's part search engine, part chatbot and it's changing how people search for information. Perplexity has become especially popular among students, researchers and tech-savvy users who want fast, reliable answers without having to dig through multiple sites. It has amassed 22 million active users across its website and app, while its mobile app has been downloaded 13.9 million times since its launch. Read on to find out what exactly Perplexity is, how it works, what sets it apart from ChatGPT and other generative AI tools -- and about some of the legal battles it's been facing. What is Perplexity? Perplexity calls itself the world's first "answer engine" that uses large language models to understand and give you direct, detailed responses to your questions. It searches the web in real time and, instead of showing you a list of blue links, it pulls info from what should be trusted sources (though Reddit often finds itself on that list) and summarizes the information into clear, up-to-date answers in natural language. The company also encourages you to double-check the sources, which, considering how often we have seen AI tools hallucinate, should be your default practice by now. Interestingly, Perplexity was the first generative AI tool whose search results came with citations. Now, ChatGPT, Google's Gemini and even Claude (because it can access the internet) are adding citations with deep research features. As OpenAI and Google push their premium research tools behind paywalls, Perplexity has joined the deep research race with a more accessible option. The feature breaks down complex questions into smaller subtasks, pulls from academic papers, technical sources and long-form articles and compiles it all into a detailed report, often in just a few minutes. So it's slightly faster at generating results than most competitors. Rob Howard, an AI consultant and founder of the education platform Innovating with AI, thinks highly of these advancements. "Deep research is the first tool that really changes my job," Howard told me. "The core idea of 'go read 600 articles in 10 minutes and give me the highlights and then link me to them' is just incredibly valuable for so many people. And it's kind of like having an army of interns or an army of research assistants working with you, for a very low price." What can Perplexity do? Perplexity answers questions like "What is quantum computing?" and "What's the best time to visit Japan?" You can follow up with additional questions or refine your query like you would in a chat. Similarly to Google's "People also ask" section when you search, you can expand on the topic with an offered set of questions under the Related section at the bottom of the page. Perplexity / Screenshot by CNET CNET's staff chose Perplexity as the best chatbot for research, which is what most people use it for, but it can also: Summarize long articles or documents. Explain complex topics in plain language. Offer comparisons and pros/cons lists. Perform internal knowledge search on uploaded files like PDFs, Word docs and Excel sheets (Pro and Enterprise users only). Look up real-time stock prices and financial data (data is sourced via Financial Modeling Prep API). If you're a Perplexity Pro subscriber in the US, the "Buy with Pro" feature handles your shopping request from start to finish. It selects a product based on your preferences, completes the purchase using your saved details and, for a limited time, even offers free shipping. Perplexity also introduced a voice assistant for iOS, offering hands-free answers at a time when Apple was still holding off on its own AI features. Another new release is Perplexity Labs, an agentic AI feature that lets you build full projects -- think reports, dashboards and spreadsheets -- just by typing out what you need in plain language. It handles everything from researching online to writing and running code, creating charts and organizing the results in one place. Labs is available to Pro users on Perplexity's mobile and web apps, with desktop support coming soon. While Deep Research is built for faster, well-cited answers, Labs is better suited for longer, more complex tasks where the goal is to produce something usable, not just informative. Most projects take about 10 minutes or more to complete. How is Perplexity different from ChatGPT and Google Search? Traditional Google Search crawls the web and ranks results. ChatGPT can generate content and answer questions based on its training data and real-time web results. Perplexity combines both approaches: It retrieves current information from the web and uses AI to summarize it. Similarly, Google's AI Overviews now show AI-generated results above standard search results. Perplexity, as previously mentioned, is known for a consistent and prominent display of source citations for every piece of information it provides. Other AI tools will give citations on demand. Another distinguishable feature is that other gen AI applications prioritize open-ended conversation or creative content generation, like images and videos. Until recently, Perplexity was unable to do that, but since the end of April, it can now create images. I tried creating something simple and fun to test it, and it turns out that images in Perplexity and ChatGPT are very similar, despite ChatGPT's dog having five legs (ha). It comes as no surprise, given Perplexity uses OpenAI's image generation models similar to those used by ChatGPT. Images generated by ChatGPT (left) and Perplexity (right) of a cartoon-style dog. Perplexity / Screenshot by CNET While Perplexity can assist with debugging and writing smaller code snippets, it will not be most users' go-to tool for coding. ChatGPT or GitHub Copilot are better for that. The company is now developing Comet, a next-generation agentic AI web browser. It is built on Chromium and integrates Perplexity's conversational search engine directly into the browser. You can join a waitlist ahead of the beta release, which recently began for Apple Silicon Mac users. Perplexity / Screenshot by CNET Pricing and plans Like most similar tools, Perplexity offers freemium pricing. It is free to use (forever, it says), with a Standard plan that includes unlimited basic searches, a limited number of queries using more advanced models and three image generations per day. The $20 per month Pro plan grants you access to the latest models like OpenAI's GPT-4o (Omni), Anthropic's Claude 4.0 Sonnet, Google's Gemini 2.5 Pro, xAI's Grok 3 Beta and Perplexity's own Sonar Large. It supports file uploads and unlimited image generation, and includes a monthly API credit. It also offers perks where you can get various offerings and savings from travel, wellness and finance brands. Businesses can choose an Enterprise tier, starting at $40 per user per month, with enhanced security, custom model tuning and team collaboration features. There is also custom pricing for large organizations. Merges, collaborations and integrations In its attempt to reduce its reliance on Google, Samsung reportedly is close to signing a major deal with Perplexity AI that would bring its AI-powered search features to Galaxy smartphones, including the upcoming S26. The deal would also reportedly come with a financial investment from Samsung and deeper integration of Perplexity into apps like Samsung Internet and Bixby. This would be the biggest mobile partnership for Perplexity, after recently teaming up with Motorola. Perplexity is eyeing deeper integrations beyond smartphones. Srinivas recently hinted at a potential Firefox integration in a post on X and Mozilla's Connect forum further fueled speculation, though nothing official has been confirmed. The company was also in early talks to buy half of TikTok's US operations after a federal ban was put on hold. But it doesn't stop there. Perplexity announced new partnerships in May with Statista, PitchBook and Wiley. While free users get limited access, Pro and Enterprise subscribers receive more monthly searches using these premium sources. The goal is to provide information that was once reserved for professionals with costly subscriptions, like doctors or financial analysts, and make it accessible to everyday users. Rumor has it that Apple is in talks with Perplexity, either to acquire the company or partner with it to develop an AI search engine powered by Perplexity, and possibly integrate its technology into Siri. A Perplexity spokesperson dismissed reports of a potential merger or acquisition. Lawsuits and other controversies Perplexity's rapid growth has also drawn legal heat. It all started in June 2024, when Forbes accused Perplexity of using its original reporting without proper credit and issued a legal threat. On Oct. 2, 2024, The New York Times sent a cease-and-desist letter to Perplexity, alleging unlawful use of its copyrighted content. On Oct. 21, Dow Jones (The Wall Street Journal's publisher) and NYP Holdings (The New York Post's publisher) filed a joint lawsuit against Perplexity, accusing it of "massive illegal copying" and copyright infringement by repackaging their content. The BBC also threatened to sue Perplexity over unauthorized use of its content, adding to the growing list of media organizations pushing back. When asked about the lawsuits, Perplexity declined to comment other than to describe the BBC allegations as "manipulative and opportunistic." The BBC declined to comment further, saying it had nothing to add beyond what was reported in the Financial Times. Howard told CNET that today's copyright laws, in the US and globally, are already struggling to keep up with the internet, let alone the rapid rise of AI. Unfortunately for the creators, with Anthropic winning the lawsuit over its use of copyrighted books to train AI, the decision may have opened a Pandora's box for similar rulings to follow. "What the AI companies have done is essentially just ask for forgiveness rather than permission," Howard said. "What we're seeing instead is they're basically negotiating settlements where it's like, okay, you can use our stuff, but you have to pay us." This is exactly what Perplexity tried to do, facing the pressure. The company has launched a revenue-sharing Publishers Program that lets approved outlets earn money when their work is cited inside the answer engine. Publishers like TIME, Fortune, Der Spiegel, Entrepreneur, The Texas Tribune and have already signed on. Is Perplexity worth using? People are turning to AI for research en masse. If you're looking for fast, conversational answers with real sources, Perplexity is one of the best tools available today. It's especially useful for research-heavy tasks where you'd normally click through a dozen tabs. It's not perfect but for everyday questions or as a second opinion alongside Google or ChatGPT, it's a good tool to use. Another thing to be mindful of, like with any AI tool, is you can't fully rely on Perplexity for privacy. The company says it logs use and may store prompts for research and improvement purposes, although there's an option to use "incognito mode" for private searches or opt out completely in settings. Go to the "AI Data Retention" option under the Account section, and switch the toggle to "off." This will prevent Perplexity from using your interactions for AI training.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Android is currently optimised for…: Why Perplexity AI CEO Aravind Srinivas wants Google to rebuild its operating system
Perplexity AI CEO Aravind Srinivas wants Google to rebuild its Android operating system. He noted that Android is more optimised for the tech giant's ad-driven business model than for enabling AI-powered experiences for smartphone users. Srinivas took to the social media platform X (earlier Twitter) to share his opinion that highlights a potential conflict as AI assistants become more common in smartphones. With this post, he questions whether current platforms, particularly those tied to advertising like Android, can evolve into intelligent, agentic systems that will primarily serve users. Srinivas questions whether Android's current priorities are aligned with the emerging era of AI agents , which are designed to interact proactively with users. What Perplexity AI CEO Aravind Srinivas said about Android In his X post, Srinivas wrote: 'Android needs to be rebuilt for AI. It's currently optimised for preserving Google's ad business rather than a truly agentic OS.' With this post, he suggests that to achieve significant advancements in AI-first mobile computing, Google may need to make some fundamental changes to the operating system itself, rather than merely adding AI features as layers. This suggestion comes as Perplexity develops Comet, an AI browser that will compete with Google by offering query responses with inline citations. This criticism comes at a time when Google is under increasing pressure on several fronts. According to a recent report by Bloomberg, Apple executives have internally discussed the possibility of acquiring Perplexity AI, with M&A chief Adrian Perica reportedly raising the idea with senior leaders, including services head Eddy Cue. Recently, Srinivas also suggested that Google's key weakness lies in its heavy reliance on high-margin search advertising , which remains far more profitable than its other businesses, like YouTube, cloud services, or AI initiatives. At the recently held Sohn Investment Conference, Srinivas explained how the Android-maker is trapped by its success. He noted, 'This is the first time in two decades that Google is extremely vulnerable.'
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Business Standard
6 days ago
- Business Standard
Tech wrap June 25: ASUS gaming laptops, Perplexity AI, Windows 10 support
ASUS TUF, ROG laptops launched. Perplexity AI adds schedule task on WhatsApp. Windows 10 support ends in 2025. Samsung Smart Monitor M9. Google Chrome's address bar reposition Tech Wrap June 25 BS Tech New Delhi Listen to This Article ASUS TUF F16, ROG Strix G16 laptops with Nvidia RTX 5050 launched: Details ASUS has launched new additions to its TUF and ROG Strix laptop lines in India, including the TUF Gaming F16 and the updated ROG Strix G16, now equipped with NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 GPUs. Furthermore, ASUS has refreshed the existing ROG Strix G16 (G614) variant by integrating the new RTX 5050 graphics. These high-performance gaming laptops are currently available for Indian consumers. Perplexity has rolled out a new update to its AI-powered WhatsApp chatbot, enabling task scheduling and time-based notifications. This feature allows the AI assistant to offer a more proactive experience on the messaging app. In a LinkedIn post, Perplexity CEO Aravind Srinivas revealed that the bot can now issue custom reminders and periodic news updates based on natural language prompts. Microsoft has announced that support for Windows 10 will officially end on October 14, 2025, affecting millions of users globally. Despite the support cutoff, the company has assured users of continued delivery of vital security updates until 2028. As outlined in a blog post, Microsoft 365 apps, Defender Antivirus, and extended security updates will remain accessible post the end of standard support. Google has introduced a feature in Chrome for Android that lets users reposition the address bar to the bottom of the screen—a customization option that was first made available on iOS in 2023. This update is aimed at enhancing usability for one-handed operation, particularly on phones with larger displays. Samsung has announced its 2025 Smart Monitor range, headlined by the new Smart Monitor M9, which features QD-OLED technology for the first time in the series. The lineup also includes refreshed versions of the M8 and M7 monitors. All models come with 32-inch displays and are set to be released in select regions starting this month. Just days before its official release, footage from the first hour of Death Stranding 2: On the Beach appears to have been leaked. EuroGamer reports that a YouTube creator uploaded the content on June 22, noting: "First part of Death Stranding [2] before everyone else." The video was subsequently removed following a copyright infringement claim filed by MarkScan Enforcement, a firm specializing in IP rights protection. POCO has introduced the F7 smartphone in the Indian market, with a starting price of Rs 31,999. Notably, it is among the first devices in India to feature a massive 7,550mAh battery. Powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 chipset, the phone boasts a 6.83-inch AMOLED screen. The company touts its ultra-slim bezels, claiming it delivers the largest and most immersive viewing experience in its category for gaming, streaming, and content creation. Apple services, including iCloud Mail, Photos, Find My, and Web Apps, experienced a widespread disruption during the early hours of June 25. According to Apple's system status tracker, the outage began at around 12 am IST and was resolved by 4:30 am. The company has since confirmed that all affected services have been fully restored across the globe. Anticipated to launch later this year, the iPhone 17 Pro has surfaced in alleged leaks, showcasing potential changes in design. According to a report by 9To5Mac, a dummy model of the phone indicates a transition to a full-width camera bar on the rear—departing from Apple's longstanding corner-mounted camera design. Honor is set to bring its X9c 5G smartphone to the Indian market. An Amazon India listing has already revealed key specifications, shedding light on the device's performance, camera setup, and design. Originally launched in China and selected global markets last year, the Indian variant is expected to retain most of the same features. The Redmi Pad 2 stands out as a reliable and affordable tablet choice for users seeking a device primarily for streaming, light web browsing, note-taking, and virtual learning. Featuring an 11-inch screen, a quad-speaker setup with Dolby Atmos, and a processor suitable for day-to-day activities, it performs well for typical non-demanding tasks. Added support for AI tools like Circle to Search and Gemini enhances its appeal for productivity. When paired with the optional Redmi Smart Pen, it also serves as a practical solution for students or professionals looking for basic sketching or handwriting functionality on a budget.
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Business Standard
6 days ago
- Business
- Business Standard
Perplexity AI adds 'schedule task' option on WhatsApp chatbot: How it works
Perplexity AI's WhatsApp bot now allows users to schedule daily tasks like news updates and reminders using natural language. No extra apps needed, just save the contact and start chatting New Delhi Perplexity has introduced a new feature to its AI chatbot on WhatsApp, enabling users to schedule tasks and receive updates at set times. With this new feature, the US-based artificial intelligence company brings an agentic experience to the messaging platform. Aravind Srinivas, CEO and co-founder of Perplexity, announced the update in a LinkedIn post, stating that the bot can now send periodic news alerts and custom reminders using natural language instructions. 'This is the first time you get to feel a basic assistant on WhatsApp that sends periodic news alerts, custom reminders at a frequency you set—all in simple natural language,' Srinivas wrote. Perplexity bot on WhatsApp: How the new feature works In a shared example, Srinivas asked the bot: 'What's the latest news between Israel and Iran?' The bot responded with a summary of recent reports. He then followed up with: 'Can you send me an update on this every morning?' The bot confirmed the task by replying: 'I've scheduled the following tasks for you: Send daily updates about the latest news between Israel and Iran every morning PDT.' The bot also added that users can tap below or ask again at any time to modify or cancel a scheduled task. The new functionality is designed to help users with recurring reminders such as taking medicine, drinking water multiple times a day, or receiving regular news updates. Importantly, this functionality is integrated directly within WhatsApp. How to use scheduled actions on Perplexity AI's WhatsApp bot Add the contact: Save +1 (833) 436-3285 to your phone contacts. Open WhatsApp: Refresh your contacts and locate Perplexity AI. Start chatting: Begin a conversation—no additional app is required. Set a task: Use natural prompts like 'Remind me to drink water at 5pm every day' or 'Send me daily news on climate change.' Recently, Perplexity rolled out a new feature for its chatbot on X (formerly Twitter), allowing users to generate AI-powered short videos with audio. By tagging @AskPerplexity and including a prompt in a post, users receive an eight-second video response featuring background music, visuals, and spoken narration. The feature has sparked a rise in user engagement, with many exploring its creative possibilities. Notably, Gemini and OpenAI's ChatGPT have introduced schedule tasks feature a long time back but they require users to download their dedicated apps in order to use the feature.
Indian Express
6 days ago
- Business
- Indian Express
Perplexity AI adds WhatsApp task scheduling support: Here's how it works
Perplexity, the popular AI-powered search engine, is getting a new feature that allows users to schedule tasks on WhatsApp. Aravind Srinivas, the CEO and co-founder of Perplexity, announced the new feature in a post on LinkedIn, saying that 'this is the first time you get to feel a basic assistant on WhatsApp that sends periodic news alerts, custom reminders at a frequency you set all in simple natural language.' For example, you can ask the AI chatbot to remind you to turn off the AC in one hour or ask it to send updates about something you are interested in whenever you want. As you can see in the image below, the AI chatbot will remind you of these tasks by sending a text message on WhatsApp. To use Perplexity on WhatsApp, add +1 (833) 436-3285 to your contacts, open WhatsApp on your preferred device and start talking to the AI chatbot without having to install any additional apps. Perplexity on WhatsApp lets users do tasks like answering questions, researching topics, generating custom images and summarising content, to name a few. The AI chatbot is also available on Telegram under the name 'askplexbot.' Compared to the native app, Perplexity's WhatsApp integration is a huge step, as users on the platform don't have to sign up or log in to use the service. Last month, Perplexity AI CEO Aravind Srinivas confirmed that they were planning to add more features to the WhatsApp version of the chatbot. Some of these include a voice mode, memes, videos, fact-checking capabilities, and the newly introduced assistant functionalities, to name a few. The company also recently upgraded its chatbot on X (formerly Twitter) with new video capabilities that allow users to generate eight-second clips with sound using generative AI. Earlier this month, both Apple and Meta were reportedly considering purchasing Perplexity. While Meta has been on a shopping spree for months now, Apple's name comes as a surprise, as it could signal a potential shift in Cupertino's AI strategy.
