Perplexity AI has launched its voice-activated Perplexity Assistant for iOS, offering iPhone users a new way to interact with their devices. This assistant aims to provide a more streamlined and intuitive experience compared to existing options like Siri, by offering deeper integration with Apple's ecosystem and a proactive approach to task completion.

The Perplexity AI voice assistant allows users to perform a variety of tasks using voice commands. These include playing music, drafting emails, scheduling meetings, and setting reminders. The assistant integrates directly with native Apple apps such as Apple Music, Apple Mail, and Apple Calendar to manage these tasks. For example, users can send emails via Apple Mail, manage their calendars, and control media playback using voice commands.

One of the key advantages of the Perplexity AI voice assistant is its ability to understand natural language and provide contextual answers. It can handle conversational interactions and provide relevant information in response to spoken queries. Unlike some other AI assistants, Perplexity offers concise answers and prompts users to ask further questions, facilitating deeper exploration of topics. The AI assistant also cites sources for its answers, promoting trust and transparency.

Perplexity's voice assistant also aims to be more proactive than other AI assistants. For instance, when asked to make a dinner reservation, it can automatically open apps like OpenTable and pre-fill reservation details. Similarly, it can assist with tasks like booking rides and finding podcasts. While the assistant can initiate actions, the user typically needs to provide a final confirmation to complete the task.

While the Perplexity AI voice assistant offers several advantages, it also faces some limitations. Due to restrictions imposed by the Apple SDK, the assistant cannot control certain iOS functions, such as adjusting volume or controlling the flashlight. Additionally, it primarily works with first-party iOS apps and may not fully integrate with third-party apps. However, Perplexity AI plans to expand the assistant's capabilities in future updates, including adding support for services like Gmail and Google Calendar and working to bypass Apple SDK limitations to enable more device controls.

To access the Perplexity AI voice assistant on iOS, users need to download the latest version of the Perplexity app. The voice assistant can be activated by tapping the waveform icon in the "Ask Anything" bar. Users can also add a Perplexity widget to their home screen for quick access to the voice mode. The voice mode can run in the background, allowing users to switch to other apps while continuing the conversation with Perplexity.