On September 3, 2025, Perplexity, an AI-driven search and research platform, announced that its Comet browser is now accessible to all students globally, marking a significant expansion of its educational tools. Initially teased in August 2025 with a private beta, Comet is designed to enhance the academic experience by integrating AI-powered features tailored for students. The browser, dubbed an “equivalent of Apple News for AI and human content consumption,” includes tools like Comet Assistant, Flash Cards, Ad Block, and Study Mode, making it a compelling alternative to traditional browsers like Chrome. The announcement, shared via X by Perplexity’s CEO Arav Srinivas, has generated buzz for its potential to transform how students manage academic tasks.
Comet’s standout feature, Study Mode, leverages Perplexity’s AI to help students organize schedules, order textbooks, and prepare for exams. The Comet Assistant provides instant answers to queries, generates flashcards for revision, and offers visual explainers to simplify complex topics. The Ad Block feature ensures a distraction-free browsing experience, critical for focused study sessions. Unlike Google’s Gemini for Education, which emphasizes personalized learning through AI tutors and quizzes, Comet integrates these capabilities directly into the browser, streamlining workflows. Posts on X highlight student excitement, with users praising its intuitive design and ability to “manage everything from one place,” though some note the learning curve for mastering its features.
The rollout follows Perplexity’s August 26 announcement of Comet Plus, a standalone subscription aimed at enhancing content access for publishers and users, with Pro and Max subscribers automatically gaining access. While pricing details for Comet Plus remain undisclosed, the base Comet browser is free for students, broadening its reach. Perplexity’s focus on education aligns with its mission to accelerate human curiosity, competing with initiatives like Google’s Gemini for Education, which also launched AI-driven tools for students in August 2025.
However, some X users express skepticism, citing concerns about over-reliance on AI tools and potential privacy issues with browser-based data collection. Perplexity has not detailed its data handling policies for Comet, which could be a point of contention as adoption grows. The company encourages feedback to refine the browser, acknowledging the beta phase’s role in shaping its development. As Comet gains traction, it positions Perplexity as a key player in educational technology, challenging established browsers and setting a new standard for AI-driven academic tools.
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