Perplexity CEO Aravind Srinivas Says: “Let’s Not Leave the Internet in Google’s Hands
Perplexity CEO Aravind Srinivas Says: “Let’s Not Leave the Internet in Google’s Hands”
Perplexity CEO Aravind Srinivas is once again challenging Google’s dominance in the digital world, this time by promoting the company’s newly launched Comet AI browser.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the Indian-origin tech leader shared a short clip showcasing the Comet browser and boldly stated, “Internet is too important to be left in Google’s hands.” This statement reflects Perplexity’s growing ambition to compete directly with Google in the search and browsing market.
Earlier this year, Perplexity made headlines when it offered to acquire Google Chrome for $34.5 billion in cash. The three-year-old AI startup, valued at around $18 billion, confirmed that it had submitted an unsolicited bid to Google. The move came amid a U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) case seeking to force Google to divest Chrome, citing its alleged monopoly in internet search. The DOJ argued that selling Chrome would reduce Google’s control over search access and create opportunities for competitors.
Perplexity’s proposal included commitments to invest $3 billion over two years into Chrome’s development and infrastructure, maintain the Chromium framework as open source, and keep Chrome’s default search settings unchanged — a gesture aimed at easing regulatory and user concerns.
When Google did not respond to the offer, Perplexity pivoted and launched its own AI-powered browser, Comet, in September.
Built on the Chromium open-source framework, Comet delivers a familiar browsing experience while integrating advanced AI tools for productivity, research, and task management. The browser features an AI sidebar assistant capable of summarizing articles, drafting emails, managing schedules, and automating tasks in real time.
Other standout features include:
- Workspaces for organizing tabs and projects.
- Personalized recommendations powered by AI.
- Email prioritization, content generation, and real-time fact-checking tools.
Currently, Comet is available for Perplexity Pro users on Windows and macOS in India. Android pre-orders are open, with iOS support coming soon. To drive adoption, Perplexity has partnered with Bharti Airtel to offer users a free one-year Pro subscription.
Through Comet, Aravind Srinivas and Perplexity aim to reshape the browsing landscape—challenging Google’s dominance and redefining how users interact with the web.
Source times of india
