Comet AI Browser
The launch of Comet, an AI-first web browser by Perplexity, marks shift in internet usage in 2025. Designed to delegate web tasks to AI agents, Comet promises a new browsing experience where users interact less with websites and more with intelligent assistants that act on their behalf. Currently in early access under the Perplexity Max plan, Comet is shaping the future of browsing through automation and contextual understanding.
Background and Purpose
Comet was developed to overcome limitations of traditional browsers and AI tools embedded within them. Unlike browsers that rely on cloud-based agents or extensions, Comet is a standalone application built on the Chromium framework. This gives it compatibility with popular Chrome extensions and user settings while maintaining full control over AI integration. The browser’s AI agents are deeply embedded, allowing seamless interaction across tabs and services without repeated logins or manual data transfer.
Core Technology
Comet uses a blend of advanced large language models (LLMs) such as GPT-4o and Claude 4.0 Sonnet alongside Perplexity’s proprietary Sonar model. This combination powers its answer engine and agentic capabilities. The AI can understand user context locally, enabling it to perform complex tasks like scheduling meetings, comparing products, or summarising content without switching tabs. This local context access provides faster and more secure interactions.
Key Features
- Agentic Browsing: Users assign tasks to AI agents who browse, collect information, and act on their behalf.
- Integrated Assistant: A built-in assistant sits at the top-right corner, offering summarisation, form filling, navigation, and multi-tab search.
- Contextual Understanding: The AI pulls data from multiple open tabs to provide concise summaries and actionable insights.
- Cross-Platform Actions: It can schedule calendar events from Gmail, draft replies, create meeting links, and even manage LinkedIn requests.
- Video and Article Summaries: Comet quickly generates summaries of YouTube videos or web articles using transcripts and page content.
Significance and Impact
Comet signals a major evolution in web browsing, moving from manual navigation to AI-driven delegation. This is particularly relevant in an era overwhelmed by AI-generated content and information overload. By automating routine tasks and filtering relevant information, Comet enhances productivity and user experience. Its agentic model could redefine how individuals and enterprises interact with the internet, making browsing more efficient and goal-oriented.
Limitations and Accessibility
Currently, Comet is available only under the Perplexity Max subscription at $200 per month. Access is invite-only and will be gradually expanded. The high cost and limited availability restrict widespread adoption for now. However, competition from major players like Google and OpenAI may encourage Perplexity to introduce more accessible plans in the future.
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