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AI-focused search startup Perplexity launched its native Mac app today to compete with other AI apps like OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Quora’s Poe app — the latter aggregates different large language models.
Perplexity had teased the app earlier this month and asked users to sign up for pre-orders so they get a notification when the app is available.
The Mac app is free to use, but you can buy Perplexity Pro for $20 a month or $200 a year. This subscription gives users the benefit of more than 300 Pro searches, which are more in-depth search results as compare to its free quick search tier.
The Mac version also allows you to quickly invoke the Perplexity search through keyboard shortcuts. You can also access voice mode, file upload, and voice dictation mode using shortcuts. While you could upload files and ask questions by typing on the website, the addition of voice mode and dictation is helpful for people who are more comfortable with audio interactions.
The new app also lets you ask follow-up questions and browse your conversation history through the sidebar. The company launched both its iOS and Android apps last year.
Earlier this week, the Wall Street Journal reported that Perplexity is looking to raise $500 million in funding that would double its valuation to $8 billion. Earlier this month, The New York Times sent the company a cease-and-desist letter accusing the startup of scraping and plagiarism.
Ivan covers global consumer tech developments at TechCrunch. He is based out of India and has previously worked at publications including Huffington Post and The Next Web. You can reach out to him at im[at]ivanmehta[dot]com
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