According to PYMNTS.com, Perplexity has released Comet Android, the first mobile version of its AI browser, with an iOS version coming within days. CEO Aravind Srinivas announced the launch in a November 20 LinkedIn post, calling Comet “the world’s first truly AI-native browser” used by millions. The browser features voice commands for shopping and “vibe browsing,” a personal AI assistant, tab summarization, and built-in ad blocking. Comet originally launched desktop-only in July for Perplexity Max subscribers before going free in October. This mobile expansion comes after Perplexity secured $200 million in September funding at a $20 billion valuation, having raised over $1 billion total with funding rounds every two months recently.
The AI Browser Wars Are Here
So Perplexity‘s making its big mobile move. And honestly, the timing couldn’t be more interesting. We’re seeing this massive shift where every browser company is suddenly an AI company. Google’s integrating Gemini everywhere, Microsoft has Copilot in Edge, Arc is doing its thing – and now Perplexity wants to own the “AI-native” space entirely.
Here’s the thing: calling something “AI-native” is becoming the new “cloud-native.” But Perplexity might actually have a point here. They’re not just slapping AI features onto an existing browser – they built this from the ground up with voice-first interaction. The whole “vibe browsing” concept? That’s basically admitting most mobile browsing is passive consumption anyway.
The Real Play Might Be Voice Shopping
Now the shopping angle is fascinating. “You can easily buy stuff with just a simple voice command” – that’s the kind of feature that gets e-commerce companies excited. But is voice commerce actually ready for prime time? We’ve seen Amazon’s Alexa struggle to make voice shopping stick for years.
Still, if anyone can make AI-powered shopping work, it might be Perplexity. Their whole model is about answering questions and simplifying research. Moving from “what’s the best laptop?” to “buy me that laptop” is a natural progression. The question is whether users will trust a browser enough to handle purchases through voice commands.
Going Free Changes Everything
Remember when Comet launched in July as a Perplexity Max exclusive? That feels like ancient history now. Making it free in October was a clear signal they’re going for scale over premium revenue. With that $20 billion valuation, they need user growth more than subscription dollars.
Basically, they’re playing the classic tech playbook: get massive adoption first, figure out monetization later. The ad blocker is particularly cheeky – they’re blocking other people’s ads while presumably planning their own advertising future. It’s a bold move that could seriously challenge traditional browser revenue models.
What Mobile Means for the Market
Mobile changes everything for Perplexity. Desktop browsers are nice, but let’s be real – most web browsing happens on phones now. Without a mobile presence, they were basically playing in the minor leagues. This Android launch and imminent iOS version puts them in the big leagues.
But here’s my question: do people really want another browser? Most users are perfectly happy with Chrome or Safari. Perplexity is betting that AI features are compelling enough to make people switch. The voice interface and tab summarization could be genuine productivity boosters. If they can deliver on making mobile research actually enjoyable, they might just have a shot.
The competition should be worried. Perplexity has serious funding, rapid development cycles, and now they’re going after the mobile market that matters most. This isn’t just another browser launch – it’s a declaration that AI-first browsing is the future, and they plan to own it. You can check out Comet for yourself or read their official announcement to see what all the fuss is about.
