The AI-powered search game is heating up: OpenAI added search capabilities to ChatGPT yesterday and Perplexity launched a macOS desktop app a week ago. Perplexity could be considered a leader in AI-powered search right now, and now Mac users can quickly use Perplexity's advanced search engine right from their desktop without having to access it through a web browser.
If you're not familiar with Perplexity, it's a conversational search engine that launched the same year as ChatGPT. It allows you to ask questions and queries using natural language (like how we communicate with each other in real life). Like ChatGPT, there are two levels for users: a free 'Standard' level that allows you to perform unlimited 'Quick' searches, ideal for those looking for quick, basic answers produced by the Standard Perplexity AI model (plus five free searches Pro level). per day) and the 'Pro' level which includes quick searches and 600 Pro searches per day.
It's these Pro searches that are recommended for more complex and longer queries, allowing you to choose from several different AI models and tools, including GPT-4o from OpenAI and Claude-3 from Athropic. It also includes the ability to analyze files such as PDFs, spreadsheets, and images using artificial intelligence tools. You can subscribe to Perplexity Pro for $20 per month or $200 per year.
What makes Perplexity on macOS so good?
Now, the macOS app brings these types of key Perplexity features right to your desktop, allowing you to perform professional searches by typing or using your voice. Perplexity will then return answers in real-time, powered by advanced AI models, that come with cited sources, so you can check the veracity of Perplexity's answers for yourself.
The app also offers a new threading capability, allowing you to ask follow-up questions to your initial query without Perplexity losing the context of the original question, allowing for a more naturalistic exchange. It also has a library feature that saves previous searches and discoveries, along with the ability to create custom shortcuts to quickly access your favorite features.
Before you consider subscribing, I recommend that you first try Perplexity for free, either in your browser or by downloading the app for macOS, available now in the Mac App Store.
It's interesting to see the number of AI-powered conversational search products expanding, and I've seen discussions about ChatGPT's new search features on sites like Reddit, arguing that this could (or perhaps should) light a fire in businesses like Google to remain competitive. . If you are a ChatGPT Plus user, Team user, or registered on the SearchGPT waitlist, you should see that ChatGPT offers you the option to search the web for answers. Business and education users will have access to this in the coming weeks and it will be available to all free users in the coming months.
You can now get the ChatGPT desktop app for both macOS and Windows 11, and I assume its search capabilities will extend to the app (or at least they will soon).
I think it's hard to say whether Perplexity or ChatGPT will end up ahead when it comes to conversational search. ChatGPT has more recognition, but Perplexity has been in this specific game a little longer. Either way, I'm intrigued and will be watching closely, and I'm quite eager to delve deeper into both.
