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Perplexity Introduces an iOS Voice Assistant Amid Apple AI Delays

While iPhone users continue to wait for a truly smarter Siri, Perplexity just dropped a new voice mode for its AI chatbot.

Headshot of Katelyn Chedraoui
Headshot of Katelyn Chedraoui
Katelyn Chedraoui Writer I
Katelyn is a writer with CNET covering artificial intelligence, including chatbots, image and video generators. Her work explores how new AI technology is infiltrating our lives, shaping the content we consume on social media and affecting the people behind the screens. She graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a degree in media and journalism. You can reach her at kchedraoui@cnet.com.
Expertise artificial intelligence, AI image generators, social media platforms
Katelyn Chedraoui
2 min read
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Perplexity AI logo on phone screen.

 James Martin/CNET

Perplexity is introducing a new voice assistant. CEO Aravind Srinivas tweeted that you can use the assistant to answer questions and have it begin tasks like writing emails, playing music or shows, and setting alerts. 

Many AI companies have introduced or teased voice assistants as part of their offerings, but there's a good reason why Perplexity might be jumping on this for its iOS app in particular. Apple's own AI, called Apple Intelligence, has suffered a series of delays since it was announced in 2024. The company has pulled commercials meant to highlight its advanced AI offerings since the features weren't actually available for users, and it's shifted its top AI leader. 

The ChatGPT integration with Siri is live (you may need to enable it in your settings), but for the most part, Apple users are still waiting on the truly smarter Siri that Apple promised. That's where Perplexity's iOS mobile app could be a viable alternative, especially for those wanting advanced voice capabilities. 

Voice modes and mobile apps are two of the ways that AI companies are pursuing in the hopes of winning customers in a crowded market. Perplexity announced on Thursday that its app will come automatically preloaded on the new Motorola Razr phones. ChatGPT launched an advanced voice mode last August after initially pausing the project when a teaser video showed the AI voice to be eerily similar to Scarlett Johansson's voice. Johansson said she did not give the company permission to use her voice, amplifying concerns from actors about how their work is used in the creation of AI.

If you're not seeing the voice assistant as an option in your Perplexity app, try updating your app through the Apple app store. Perplexity offers a free plan and paid plans with higher usage limits. Perplexity can use the information you give it for training purposes, but you can opt out in your settings. You can check out the full privacy policy for more information.

For more, check out our full review of Perplexity and our top picks for the best AI chatbots.

Watch this: Apple Delaying Siri's Intelligence Isn't a Failure. The Problem Is Bigger Than Apple