I-focused search startup Perplexity launched its native Mac app today, running with competition that includes other AI apps OpenAI's ChatGPT and Quora's Poe app – the latter aggregates various large language models.
This app was teased by Perplexity a few weeks ago when it asked the users to sign up for pre-orders so they get a notification when the app is available.
⌘ + ⇧ + P — coming soon.
Pre-order now: https://t.co/Z9UF7og614 pic.twitter.com/S7sSTWO2KS
It's free to use the Mac app, though. There is a paid version called Perplexity Pro that costs $20 a month or $200 a year. This tier includes more than 300 Pro searches, or deeper search results than the free quick search tier.
The Mac version also allows you to access the Perplexity search by just using keyboard shortcuts, but other functions like the voice mode, file upload, and voice dictation mode can also be accessed via shortcuts. You'd be able to upload files and ask questions in the site by just typing, but the inclusion of voice mode and dictation will be useful for those who are more at ease with audio conversations.
The new app also lets you ask follow-up questions and view your conversation history through the sidebar. Both its iOS and Android applications were released by the company last year.
Earlier this week, a report in the Wall Street Journal said Perplexity is raising $500 million in funding that will nearly double its valuation to $8 billion. The New York Times sent the company a cease-and-desist letter earlier this month, accusing the startup of scraping and plagiarism.