Perplexity has activated an enhanced voice mode for its Comet browser. Desktop users can access it immediately, with iOS support coming within days. This update enables full hands-free control, allowing users to open websites, scroll pages, and follow links entirely by voice command.
On desktop, activate it with Shift+Alt+V (or Shift+Option+V on Mac). The feature will soon arrive on iPhone, potentially making Comet the first truly touch-free mobile browser. It utilizes OpenAI's latest real-time model, with CEO Aravind Srinivas announcing the rollout on X, aiming for complete speech-based navigation beyond simple voice search.
The mode is built on OpenAI's gpt-realtime-1.5 model, designed for low-latency interaction. Perplexity reports over a 25% improvement in tool-call stability for fewer errors, alongside more natural-sounding voice pacing.
Unlike browsers where voice is a novelty, Comet is designed for entire voice-controlled sessions. Users can command actions like "scroll down," "open the third link," or "summarize this page." This aligns with the trend toward ambient computing.
Comet emphasizes privacy, processing voice locally when possible and not storing cloud-based click histories or building ad profiles. Desktop voice mode is live now, with iOS expected around March 11. Future developments include a personalized Comet Assistant for tasks like shopping, plus a password manager and cross-device sync.