When it comes to web browsing, the familiar interface of Chrome or Safari has long dominated the mobile landscape. But for users seeking a new kind of intelligence at their fingertips, Perplexity is betting that AI can do more than answer questions—it can rethink the way we navigate the web.
On Thursday, the AI search startup launched its Comet browser for Android, expanding capabilities first introduced on desktop in July, and signaling a growing push to bring advanced AI tools directly into users’ hands.
The Comet browser on Android carries over much of the desktop version’s functionality. Users can set Perplexity as their default search engine, ask questions about open tabs, and use voice commands to have the assistant summarize information across all tabs. Beyond search, the AI assistant can research and shop on behalf of users, providing an experience that blends the familiar convenience of a browser with proactive task management. An in-built ad blocker further enhances usability, making the browsing experience smoother and less cluttered.
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Perplexity is not stopping there. In the coming weeks, the company plans to introduce a suite of new features, including a conversational agent capable of searching across multiple sites, shortcuts that allow the assistant to take quick actions, and a fully functional password manager. These enhancements aim to make Comet a true AI-powered productivity companion, rather than just a search tool.
Android was chosen as the first mobile platform due to high demand from carriers and original equipment manufacturers, who have requested Comet for integration on their devices. While Perplexity previously partnered with Motorola to preload its AI assistant app, it remains unclear whether the new browser will receive similar treatment. An iOS version is also in development, though no timeline has been confirmed.
Perplexity’s move into mobile positions the company among an increasingly crowded field of AI browser competitors. OpenAI, Opera, and The Browser Company—now owned by Atlassian—have all developed AI-enabled browsers, though most remain desktop-focused. The Browser Company’s Arc Search was released for mobile last year, but development shifted to a new browser, Dia, which currently lacks a mobile version. This leaves Comet with an opportunity to define what AI-assisted browsing looks like on handheld devices.
Security, however, remains a critical concern. In October, Perplexity acknowledged the risks associated with AI agents in browsers, warning that new forms of AI-driven attacks could require a fundamental rethink of online security. Analysts have noted that while AI assistance can dramatically increase convenience, it may also expose users to new vulnerabilities if safeguards are insufficient. Striking the right balance between functionality and safety will be crucial for Perplexity’s success.
Incumbent browsers like Chrome and Safari dominate the global market, and dislodging them will require more than AI novelty, making the stakes high. Comet must deliver speed, reliability, privacy, and utility, proving that an AI-centric browsing experience can be both seamless and secure. The Comet browser is expected to reshape how people conduct searches, manage information, and interact with intelligent agents in daily life.
Android users, for now, have the first taste of this vision. Perplexity is betting that the combination of AI-driven search, productivity features, and proactive assistance will redefine mobile browsing. The company sees it not just as a tool for retrieving information, but as a platform that anticipates and supports the user at every step.
