What happened
Perplexity AI has released a mobile version of the Comet browser for iOS — previously the service was available only on desktop. The app is already available on the App Store: the mobile version is offered for free, while paid subscriptions Pro and Max start at $20 per month.
Features and capabilities
Comet Assistant generates detailed responses, supports voice queries and performs practical tasks — it summarizes emails, searches for products and compares prices. The Deep Research feature analyzes information from multiple sources and quickly produces a concise summary. There is device synchronization: you can start a search on one device and continue on another, however the iOS version currently lacks extensions.
Privacy and monetization
Comet logs users’ search and browsing history — this data is used to tailor targeted advertising. This is a typical approach for the business model of a “free” product: user convenience and monetization through data. For regulators and conscientious users, this is a signal to carefully read the terms and privacy settings.
"Comet opens access to AI search for mobile users"
— Perplexity AI (press release)
Market context
The launch of the mobile version comes amid active competition: new Samsung flagships will feature Perplexity’s voice assistant, and OpenAI introduced the ChatGPT Atlas browser with a built‑in assistant. Analysts note that mobile availability often accelerates mass adoption of technologies and determines the pace of monetization.
What this means for Ukraine
For Ukrainian users and businesses, Comet on iPhone is another tool for accessing analytics and automating routine tasks: useful for journalists, entrepreneurs and researchers. At the same time, it is a reminder of the need for digital awareness: companies working with AI must comply with local security and transparency standards, and users must know how to control their data.
Conclusion
Comet’s arrival on iOS is a logical and expected step by Perplexity: expanding the audience, adding monetization paths and strengthening its competitive position. For the end user this means more opportunities, but also more choices: which platform to trust with your data and what price you are willing to pay for convenience. Now the question for users and regulators is how to combine access to new tools with the protection of digital rights.
