Perplexity CEO Aravind Srinivas is taking a bold stand against Google’s dominance over the internet. Following a massive $34.5 billion offer to acquire Google Chrome, Perplexity has officially launched its own AI-powered browser — Comet, designed to create healthy competition in the search and browsing market.
Aravind Srinivas Takes on Google’s Monopoly
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Aravind Srinivas shared a short demo clip of Comet, saying:
“The Internet is too important to be left in Google’s hands.”
The Indian-origin CEO emphasized that Comet aims to redefine how users interact with the web — integrating AI for productivity, research, and automation — while maintaining the familiar experience of Chrome.
Built on the Chromium open-source framework, Comet ensures compatibility with Chrome extensions, bookmarks, and user habits, but with enhanced AI-driven features that streamline digital workflows.
Perplexity’s $34.5 Billion Offer for Chrome
In August 2025, Perplexity made global headlines with a $34.5 billion all-cash offer to acquire Google Chrome, despite the startup’s own valuation of around $18 billion.
The proposal included several commitments:
- A $3 billion investment in Chrome’s development and infrastructure over two years.
- Maintaining Chromium as open source.
- Keeping Chrome’s default search settings unchanged to prioritize user choice.
This offer came amid mounting U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) pressure on Google to divest Chrome, after a court ruling declared the tech giant’s monopoly over internet search as illegal.
Inside Perplexity’s New AI Browser – Comet
Perplexity officially launched Comet Browser last month, positioning it as a smart, AI-driven alternative to Chrome.
Key highlights include:
- AI Sidebar Assistant – Summarizes articles, drafts emails, and manages schedules directly in the browser.
- Workspaces & Productivity Tools – Organize tabs, projects, and notes effortlessly.
- Real-time Fact-Checking – Integrated AI verification for online information.
- Personalized Recommendations – Context-aware suggestions based on browsing behavior.
- Content Generation & Email Prioritization – AI assistance for communication and creative work.
Comet is currently available to Perplexity Pro users on Windows and macOS, with Android pre-orders open and iOS support coming soon.
To promote adoption in India, Perplexity has partnered with Bharti Airtel to offer users one-year free Pro subscriptions.
The Future of AI Browsing
With Comet, Perplexity aims to reshape how users experience the web — turning browsers into intelligent productivity tools rather than passive portals.
As Aravind Srinivas stated, the company’s mission is simple yet powerful:
“To make the internet open, intelligent, and accessible — not monopolized.”
