Observed Signal · Jul 1, 2024 · Product Launch · Source: OnlineMarketing.de · Impact: 2/5 · Sentiment: Positive
Perplexity Adds Android Voice-to-Voice Answers
Perplexity has expanded its voice-to-voice answering feature to Android, following an earlier iOS launch, enabling users to ask questions and hear answers with sources visible on screen. The update strengthens Perplexity's stance as an AI answering machine competing with Google and ChatGPT by offering hands-free access across devices. The company has around 15 million monthly active users and, per Similarweb, over 85 million visits in May 2024; the Android expansion is accompanied by ongoing SoundHound integration, which powers Perplexity's voice capabilities via its Chat AI assistant. The feature first rolled out to Pro customers on iOS in April 2024. Perplexity emphasizes prominent source display and broader access to voice features across platforms. It's positioned alongside other AI tools like ChatGPT's Voice Mode and Google Gemini, highlighting a shift toward voice-first search and interactive AI experiences.
New feature update expanding voice-based answers to Android; signals competitive positioning in AI search
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- Perplexity expanded Voice-to-voice to Android users after iOS launch.
- Perplexity collaborates with SoundHound to power its AI assistant.
- Perplexity reported ~15 million MAU and over 85 million visits in May 2024.
- Voice-to-voice launched for Pro users on iOS in April 2024.
- Perplexity emphasizes prominent source display and broader access to voice features across devices.
Connected Companies & Entities
3 Entities mappedOntology Mapping & Concepts
Related Market Signals & Shifts
Recent verified developments and strategic activity across this market segment.
Perplexity's Comet adds voice-controlled mode
Perplexity’s AI-first browser Comet now includes a Voice Mode that enables complete hands-free navigation, chat, and information retrieval using voice commands. The update is rolled out to all users and is powered by OpenAI’s gpt-realtime-1.5 model, which Perplexity says improves call stability by over 25% and enhances expressive speech understanding. OpenAI reported performance gains for the model, including a +5% intelligence lift on Big Bench Audio, +10.23% transcription accuracy, and +7% instruction-following in internal evaluations. Perplexity notes that its AI Answering Machine remains ad-free, aligning with Claude and differing from ChatGPT in that respect. An iOS version of Comet with the Voice Mode upgrade is expected to arrive soon. The piece places this development in the broader context of AI browser innovations from Google and Microsoft, and other AI-powered browser features.
US Government Excludes Microsoft from Visa Program
The US government has barred Microsoft from participating in the permanent residency process for foreign workers with H-1B visas, accusing the company of abusing the program. Vice President JD Vance stated that Microsoft laid off 6,000 American employees last year while benefiting from 6,300 H-1B visa holders. The Department of Labor, led by Keith Sonderling, will not accept new permanent residency applications from Microsoft, as well as several consulting firms and Adobe. This action comes weeks before the midterm elections and reflects the Trump administration's broader criticism of the H-1B program, which it claims disadvantages American workers. Microsoft has not yet responded. The move could impact the tech industry's ability to retain skilled foreign talent.
Amazon unveils new Alexa tablets with AI and Google Play
Amazon has announced a new generation of tablets under the Alexa brand, including the Alexa Tablet 12 Pro, Alexa Tablet 11, and Alexa Tablet 8. All devices run on Android, integrate the AI assistant Alexa+, and for the first time offer direct access to the full Google Play Store, allowing users to install apps like YouTube, Netflix, and Gmail alongside Amazon services. The tablets feature various screen sizes, processors, and battery lives, with prices starting at $229.99. A special Kindle reading mode and new kids' models with parental controls have also been introduced. Sales begin in North America on October 8, with shipping from October 14, and European availability, including Germany, starts October 19.
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