# Perplexity’s AI Voice Assistant Arrives on iOS, Offering a Glimpse into the Future of Mobile AI

## Perplexity’s AI Voice Assistant Arrives on iOS, Offering a Glimpse into the Future of Mobile AI

Perplexity has just launched its conversational AI voice assistant on iOS, bringing a new level of hands-free functionality to iPhone users. The update, available now, empowers users to leverage AI for everyday tasks directly within the Perplexity app, promising a smoother, more intuitive mobile experience.

The new feature allows users to activate the voice assistant and perform tasks such as drafting emails, setting reminders, and even making dinner reservations. Unlike Siri’s upcoming AI-powered upgrade with Apple Intelligence, which is still potentially over a year away, Perplexity’s assistant is available on older devices, including the iPhone 13 mini.

One of the key advantages of Perplexity’s voice assistant is its ability to operate outside the app. While it doesn’t yet support screen sharing like its Android counterpart, users can continue the conversation even when navigating away from the Perplexity app.

“When the Android version launched in January, Perplexity’s spokesperson told *The Verge* that it would come to iPhones and iPads once “Apple gives us the right permissions,” and apparently that has been worked out.”

First impressions of the iOS integration are promising. Upon downloading the app and testing basic functions, like setting a reminder, the assistant seamlessly requested and received the necessary permissions. While drafting a text message, declining contact access resulted in a smart prompt to dictate the phone number instead of a complete failure, demonstrating a thoughtful design.

The assistant also demonstrated its capabilities in booking a table at a restaurant, opening Open Table and pre-filling the date and time according to voice instructions. While the process isn’t entirely hands-free, requiring manual completion within the respective app (like confirming the booking in OpenTable), it significantly streamlines the process. Furthermore, the assistant can initiate rides in apps like Uber, setting up the user for a convenient mobile experience.

However, the iOS version does have some limitations. Unlike AI assistants like ChatGPT and Grok, Perplexity’s assistant cannot “see” through your camera for contextual awareness. While you can still use the text-based chatbot to analyze images, this visual integration is missing. Another limitation is the inability to set scheduled alarms, a task still reserved for Siri.

Despite these limitations, the arrival of Perplexity’s voice assistant on iOS marks a significant step forward in mobile AI integration. It provides a glimpse into a future where AI assistants can seamlessly handle daily tasks, offering a more convenient and efficient mobile experience, especially for users on older devices not supported by the latest Apple Intelligence features. As Perplexity continues to develop and refine its voice assistant, we can expect even more functionality and integration in the future.