The evolution of voice assistants has been a remarkable journey, but Apple’s Siri has often been criticized for its limitations. With the rise of advanced AI applications, many users have started to explore alternatives that offer more robust functionalities. One such contender is the Perplexity AI voice assistant, which has recently shown impressive capabilities on the iPhone. This article will delve into how Perplexity compares to Siri, highlighting its strengths and weaknesses, and what it means for the future of voice interaction on mobile devices.
In recent updates, Perplexity has introduced a range of features that allow it to manage tasks directly on your iPhone. From setting reminders and calendar events to playing music and podcasts, Perplexity aims to bridge the gap that Siri has struggled to close. With every new AI application launching its own voice assistant, the stakes are higher for Apple to enhance Siri’s performance. So, how does Perplexity stack up against the built-in assistant? Let’s find out.
Feature Comparison: Perplexity vs Siri
To truly understand the capabilities of Perplexity, it’s essential to see how it performs in real-world scenarios compared to Siri. Below are some key functionalities and how each assistant handles them.
Music Playback
Music is a significant part of many users’ daily lives, so voice assistants must handle requests effectively. Perplexity excels in this area:
- Direct Integration with Apple Music: Unlike ChatGPT, which lacks music playback capabilities, Perplexity is seamlessly integrated with Apple Music. For instance, you can simply say, “Play ‘Fantasy’ by Earth, Wind & Fire,” and it starts playing immediately.
- Contextual Awareness: Perplexity demonstrates remarkable contextual awareness. A request like, “Play that song Jack Black sings to his dog in the Minecraft movie,” is accurately processed, resulting in the correct song being played.
- Siri’s Limitations: While Siri can also play music, it often struggles with more vague requests, making it less responsive to users’ needs.
Podcast and Audio Management
Podcasts have gained immense popularity, and managing them through voice commands is crucial:
- Playing Podcasts: Perplexity can search for and suggest specific podcasts, but users still need to tap to play the episode, which is a minor inconvenience.
- Siri’s Capabilities: Siri performs well with podcast playback, but it lacks the ability to access all of Perplexity’s contextual understanding.
Finding Restaurants and Making Reservations
When it comes to dining out, voice assistants can be incredibly helpful:
- Restaurant Searches: Perplexity can provide recommendations for restaurants, like saying, “Show me the best Vietnamese restaurants in Lakeland.” However, making reservations requires additional steps, as it cannot directly book tables.
- Siri’s Functionality: Siri can provide similar restaurant searches but lacks the ability to make reservations directly, often redirecting users to other apps.
Email and Calendar Management
Productivity is a significant aspect of using a voice assistant:
- Email Composition: Perplexity can draft emails efficiently with natural language, making it easier to communicate. For example, you can say, “Write an email to Nate about lunch next Tuesday at 12 PM,” and it will format it correctly.
- Siri’s Challenges: Siri often struggles with understanding context and may produce cluttered email subjects, making it less effective.
General Knowledge Queries
Voice assistants are often used for quick information retrieval:
- Accuracy of Responses: Perplexity excels in answering general knowledge questions, providing accurate information swiftly.
- Siri’s Limitations: Users have reported that Siri fails to answer certain queries, sometimes defaulting to less relevant sources.
Limitations of Perplexity
While Perplexity shows promise, it does have some limitations:
- Smart Home Integration: Currently, Perplexity cannot control smart home devices, which is a significant drawback for users who rely on voice assistants for home automation.
- Rideshare Functionality: While it can assist with hailing rides, it requires users to open the respective app, making the process less seamless.
Implementing Perplexity into Your Routine
For those who are interested in using Perplexity, you can easily download the app and start utilizing its features without a subscription. Users can activate voice mode and ask about its capabilities, making it user-friendly.
Additionally, you can enhance your experience by creating custom shortcuts using tools like Toolbox Pro. This allows you to set up specific actions for your voice assistant, such as skipping ads in podcasts or even opening your garage door when you are close to home.
Conclusion
Perplexity has emerged as a strong competitor to Siri, showcasing its capabilities in music playback, email composition, and general knowledge queries. While it still has limitations, particularly in smart home integration and reservations, its understanding and contextual awareness set it apart. As Apple prepares to unveil updates to Siri, the pressure is on to improve its functionalities and keep pace with AI advancements. For now, Perplexity offers an intriguing alternative for iPhone users seeking a more efficient voice assistant experience.
Credit: Stephen Robles on YouTube
