Perplexity AI has officially introduced its voice assistant to iPhone users, marking its first launch on iOS after initial availability on Android devices. This voice assistant is designed to offer real-time, intelligent solutions integrated with various apps and services, aiming to assist users with a range of tasks through voice interactions.

The new assistant enables users to perform functions such as booking rides and making restaurant reservations. For instance, when asked to book a table, it can open the OpenTable app, auto-fill reservation details, and guide users through the remaining steps. Similarly, it can launch the Uber app and help book a trip using voice commands. Additionally, the assistant can draft emails, access the user's calendar to provide information about upcoming appointments, and set reminders directly within Apple's native Reminders app.

One notable feature is the assistant’s ability to maintain ongoing tasks even if users navigate away from the app, which is relatively uncommon among voice assistants. However, the iOS version of Perplexity’s assistant differs from its Android counterpart in that it does not support screen sharing or access to the device’s camera for enhanced contextual awareness.

The assistant is compatible with older iPhone models, including the iPhone 13, broadening its accessibility to a wider user base. It uses advanced language models from industry leaders such as OpenAI, Google’s Gemini, Anthropic’s Claude, and xAI’s Grok, providing a robust and versatile AI foundation.

Despite these capabilities, users are reminded that certain system-level functions, such as setting alarms or adjusting volume, still require Apple's Siri. Perplexity’s voice assistant cannot yet manage these core iPhone settings, meaning Siri remains necessary for these tasks.

To improve ease of use, the assistant can be added as a shortcut to both the iPhone’s home screen and lock screen, allowing for quick activation and seamless interactions. The overall design focuses on delivering efficient, conversational, and search-savvy assistance without overwhelming users with excessive search results.

The indiaherald.com is reporting that Perplexity AI’s voice assistant provides a new option for iPhone users seeking an AI-powered assistant that combines conversational abilities with practical app integrations, while Siri continues to handle fundamental phone system controls.

Source: Noah Wire Services