Perplexity's AI-powered browser comes to Windows for beta testers
For users tired of flipping between tabs to get things done, Comet seems like the real deal.
What if your browser didn’t just show you web pages but helped you use them? That’s the premise behind Comet, a new browser from Perplexity now entering beta testing on Windows after a limited macOS rollout in May.
Perplexity says Comet aims to move beyond traditional browsing by embedding agentic AI directly into the experience, turning passive clicks into interactive tasks. So, rather than simply responding to queries, Comet is designed to anticipate user needs.
Early macOS beta testers reported that the browser can highlight online discounts while you shop, summarize unread emails, auto-sort notifications, and even create virtual clothing try-ons based on user uploads. These features are woven into the browser itself, reducing the need to toggle between apps and tabs. I believe the goal is to make browsing more assistive, context-aware, and hands-on.
While there’s no official public release date for the browser, Perplexity CEO Aravind Srinivas recently hinted on X (formerly Twitter) that a broader rollout may be coming soon. In addition to that, the company says Android and iOS versions are also in the works.
Of course, other AI-driven browsers are emerging—Opera Neon was an early experiment. Chrome is integrating Google’s Gemini AI to enhance search and productivity, while Microsoft Edge is incorporating Copilot for summarization, in-browser assistance, and content generation.
Emmanuel Oyedeji
However, these tools are still largely extensions layered on top of the browser rather than embedded at its core. Comet’s architecture, by contrast, builds agent-like behavior into the browser itself—something that could put it ahead of the curve if it delivers on its promises.
That said, not all attention has been positive. In a recent podcast, Srinivas mentioned that Comet could “get data even outside the app to better understand you,” prompting concerns around user privacy.
After criticism, Srinivas clarified that the statement was taken out of context and affirmed that users would have the option to opt out of personalization, particularly when it comes to targeted advertising. Still, for users tired of flipping between tabs to get things done, Comet might just feel like the future.
