According to Tom’s Guide, Perplexity has launched a new voice mode for its AI search app, positioning it as a smarter alternative to Siri for iPhone users. The feature, called Perplexity Voice, allows for conversational, hands-free queries for tasks like web searches, booking reservations, or sending emails. The key setup involves creating a custom Siri Shortcut that routes voice commands directly to the Perplexity app. While it can’t fully replace Siri for deep system control, the guide positions it as a superior option for getting accurate, well-sourced answers to complex questions. The immediate outcome is that users can now access a more capable voice assistant without needing to wait for Apple to improve Siri itself.
The Siri Problem
Look, let’s be honest. Siri has been… stagnant. For years. It’s fine for setting timers and maybe sending a text, but ask it anything remotely complex and you’re often met with a “Here’s what I found on the web” cop-out. That’s the gap Perplexity is aiming to fill. They’re not trying to be your device’s operating system. They’re trying to be your brain’s external search engine, one you can talk to. And that’s a much narrower, and arguably more solvable, problem.
How It Works And Where It Falls Short
Here’s the thing: you’re not deleting Siri. You’re essentially creating a voice-powered shortcut that bypasses her. You say your trigger phrase, your iPhone opens the Perplexity app, and your question gets processed there. It’s a clever workaround, but it’s also the biggest limitation. Because it’s an app, it can’t control your iPhone’s settings, can’t interact with your Calendar or Reminders app natively, and there’s a slight delay as the app launches. So it’s not a true replacement. It’s a specialized tool for a specific job: answering questions and performing web-based tasks well.
The Bigger Picture For AI Assistants
This move is really interesting for the market. It shows that the battleground for AI assistants is fragmenting. You don’t need to own the whole OS to be useful. Developers can now build best-in-class features that users actively seek out and integrate, even clumsily, into their daily flow. It puts pressure on Apple, Google, and Amazon to either radically improve their built-in assistants or, perhaps, open them up more to third-party AI engines. Why shouldn’t I be able to set Siri’s “brain” to be Perplexity or ChatGPT for search tasks? That day might be closer than we think.
Should You Bother Setting It Up?
If you’re a power user who constantly hits Siri’s limits with research, cooking questions, or planning, then absolutely. The setup is a few minutes and the payoff in answer quality is reportedly significant. But if you mostly use voice for smart home commands or basic phone functions, it’s probably overkill. Basically, Perplexity Voice is for the curious. It’s for people who ask “why” and want a real answer, not just a list of links. And that, in itself, is a pretty big deal.
