Perplexity launches iOS Voice Assistant that lets you book reservations, send emails, and more—using just your voice

Perplexity just rolled out a major update to its iOS app, introducing a voice assistant that blends real-time web search with task automation. Announced in a post on X (formerly Twitter), the new feature allows users to do everything from making dinner reservations to firing off calendar invites—simply by speaking to their phone.

“Introducing Perplexity iOS Voice Assistant. Voice Assistant uses web browsing and multi-app actions to book reservations, send emails and calendar invites, play media, and more—all from the Perplexity iOS app. Update your app in the App Store and start asking today,” Perplexity said.

Introducing Perplexity iOS Voice Assistant

Voice Assistant uses web browsing and multi-app actions to book reservations, send emails and calendar invites, play media, and more—all from the Perplexity iOS app.

Update your app in the App Store and start asking today. pic.twitter.com/OKdlTaG9CO

— Perplexity (@perplexity_ai) April 23, 2025

Perplexity’s New Voice Assistant Challenges Siri: Will Apple Acquire?

With this move, Perplexity isn’t just dipping into the voice assistant space—it’s stepping in with a tool that directly challenges Siri, while bringing its own AI search muscle into the mix.

The new Perplexity AI’s new voice feature is already generating buzz for outperforming Apple’s Siri, with some users calling it a potential game-changer. The seamless integration into daily iPhone use—especially via custom action button shortcuts—has only added fuel to the conversation.

Now, speculation is growing around whether Apple should acquire Perplexity to revive or outright replace Siri. The launch is reigniting debates about the future of voice assistants and how far behind Apple may be in the AI race.

What You Can Do With It

The Voice Assistant is built into the Perplexity iOS app and gives users a more practical way to handle everyday tasks. You can speak commands like:

• “Book a table at an Italian place nearby” – and it will check OpenTable and handle the booking.

• “Email Sam about the rescheduled meeting” – and it drafts and sends the message.

• “Play that new Taylor Swift track” – and it opens Spotify or YouTube.

• “What’s the weather in Tokyo next week?” – and it pulls info from live web sources with references.

These actions happen in one place—no app-switching, no jumping between screens. You just talk, and it handles the rest. It’s available now through the latest version of the app in the App Store. Android support is likely coming, based on hints from the company.

How It Stacks Up Against Competitors

Perplexity isn’t just adding voice to search. It’s taking the logic of AI assistants and pushing it into more useful territory. While Siri still struggles with follow-up requests and limited integrations, Perplexity’s version goes further. It connects with apps like OpenTable, Spotify, and email clients so you can act on the information you just received.

In a post on X, Perplexity CEO Aravind Srinivas said the assistant is able to “answer questions and take basic actions on your iPhone,” calling it the first AI app to pull this off on iOS.

And the results? Pretty slick. Users can ask about something, get an answer, and immediately act—without switching apps or tapping through menus.

How It Compares

This isn’t the only voice assistant on the block. Apple’s Siri, Google’s Gemini, Amazon’s Alexa, and OpenAI’s ChatGPT all offer some form of voice interaction. But here’s where Perplexity pulls ahead:

• Live web results – You’re getting current information, not just canned responses.

• Third-party app control – You can actually do things—book rides, play music, send invites—without manual input.

• Cited sources – When you ask for information, the assistant shows where it came from. That’s a level of transparency many rivals still lack.

Early reactions online are enthusiastic. One post from @azed_ai even called it a potential “Siri killer.” That said, there are a few caveats. App support will vary at launch, and Android users are left waiting for now. But the foundation is there.

What Comes Next

Perplexity’s release cadence suggests more updates are in the works. The Android version of its voice assistant already supports 15 languages. Deeper integrations, better contextual memory, and wider platform support are all likely on the roadmap.

Still, some obstacles remain. Apple’s ecosystem is tightly controlled, and it’s unclear how much Perplexity can do without deeper iOS permissions. There’s also the privacy angle—users will want clarity on how data is handled, especially when it comes to emails and calendars.

Why It Matters

This release marks a shift in how AI assistants are being built. Instead of just answering questions, they’re helping people get things done. It’s a smarter way to interact with your phone, especially if you’re on the go.

For iPhone users, Perplexity’s voice assistant offers a smoother way to manage daily tasks. And for the broader AI race, it raises the bar on what these assistants should be capable of.

The assistant is available now on iOS. Just update your Perplexity app and try it out.

Perplexity AI was founded in 2022 by Aravind Srinivas, Andy Konwinski, Denis Yarats, and Johnny Ho to redefine search by providing direct answers to user questions. Competing with giants like Google and OpenAI, the company recently launched an iOS app to make its AI-driven search engine more accessible to mobile users.