Episode 320: Perplexity Assistant on iOS - Perplexity is Beating Apple on iOS

In this episode, we explore Perplexity's newly released voice assistant for iOS devices that challenges Apple's position in the AI race. Despite taking our first brief hiatus since the show began, we're back to discuss how Perplexity has managed to deliver the AI assistant functionality that many users have been expecting from Apple's Siri. The episode examines the capabilities of this new voice assistant, its current limitations on iOS compared to Android, and the broader implications for AI adoption and marketing strategies.

Keywords

• Perplexity Voice Assistant
• iOS AI Integration
• Apple Intelligence
• Voice AI
• Mobile AI Assistants
• Siri Alternatives
• AI Adoption
• Marketing Channels
• Voice Commands
• Email Composition
• Calendar Management
• Smart Reminders
• Real-time Web Search
• Mobile AI Experience
• System Integration
• Voice Navigation
• AI Competition
• Default Assistant
• Smart Home Control
• User Experience

Key TakeawaysPerplexity's Voice Assistant Features

• Natural language interaction with contextual awareness
• Ability to compose emails on iOS devices
• Calendar management and reminder setting capabilities
• Integration with media apps like YouTube and Apple Music
• Real-time web search functionality
• Booking services through third-party apps (Uber, OpenTable)
• Location services and directions
• Contextual awareness of past conversations
• Available on both iOS and Android platforms
• Rumored plans for smart home device integration

iOS vs Android Implementation

• Deeper integration currently available on Android devices
• Android users can set Perplexity as default assistant
• iOS users must open app to access voice assistant
• Android version can send emails and calendar invites
• iOS version limited to drafting without sending
• Some third-party app limitations on iOS (can't open Spotify)
• Potential for default action button integration coming to iOS
• System limitations due to Apple's closed ecosystem
• Working toward deeper iOS integration

Strategic Implications

• Apple falling behind competitors on its own devices
• Perplexity aggressively competing with tech giants
• Increased AI adoption through seamless mobile experiences
• New AI channels emerging for marketers to consider
• Voice assistants becoming more sophisticated interfaces
• Potential shift in how consumers access information
• Competition driving rapid feature development
• Perplexity positioning for smart home market entry
• AI assistants increasingly mediating consumer experiences
• Marketing strategies need to adapt to voice-first interfaces

Current Limitations

• Cannot directly send emails on iOS
• Cannot send calendar invites on iOS
• Limited third-party app integration compared to native assistants
• Not accessible as system-wide default on iOS
• Some complex queries still challenging

• Requires app to be open on iOS
• Integration varies by device and OS version
• Still developing features for competitive parity

Links

https://www.perplexity.ai/help-center/en/articles/10450852-how-to-use-the-perplexity-android-assistant

https://www.perplexity.ai/help-center/en/articles/10450852-how-to-use-the-perplexity-android-assistant

.css-j9qmi7{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;font-weight:700;margin-bottom:1rem;margin-top:2.8rem;width:100%;-webkit-box-pack:start;-ms-flex-pack:start;-webkit-justify-content:start;justify-content:start;padding-left:5rem;}@media only screen and (max-width: 599px){.css-j9qmi7{padding-left:0;-webkit-box-pack:center;-ms-flex-pack:center;-webkit-justify-content:center;justify-content:center;}}.css-j9qmi7 svg{fill:#27292D;}.css-j9qmi7 .eagfbvw0{-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;color:#27292D;}