Perplexity brings its AI browser Comet to Android https://t.co/uZtUokIeZB ...

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the emergence of AI-powered browsers, highlighting the capabilities and limitations of FlowithOS, a new operating system designed specifically for AI agents, which aims to enhance user experience by automating tasks traditionally performed by users [1][4][52]. Group 1: AI Browser Landscape - The current market for AI browsers can be categorized into three types: traditional browsers with AI plugins, proxy-type browsers, and those like Atlas that allow agents to perform tasks autonomously [9][10][11]. - FlowithOS is unique as it is not merely a browser but an operating system that enables agents to execute tasks while retaining browsing capabilities [11][52]. Group 2: Testing FlowithOS - FlowithOS was tested for its retrieval and execution capabilities, demonstrating the ability to complete a multi-step task autonomously, such as finding and negotiating the price of a product [20][21]. - However, the system exhibited issues with user experience, including slow response times and occasional bugs during complex tasks [21][50]. Group 3: Information Integration and Semantic Understanding - The system's ability to integrate and summarize information was tested, revealing that while it could provide structured analyses, it often relied on metadata rather than engaging with content deeply [33][36]. - FlowithOS showed strong semantic understanding in a complex scenario, successfully identifying suitable gifts based on user-provided context, indicating its potential for emotional intelligence [43]. Group 4: Unique Features of FlowithOS - FlowithOS includes a "Skill" feature that serves as a guide for agents to perform tasks, enhancing their ability to execute similar tasks in the future [45]. - The operating system also incorporates a memory function that adapts to user preferences, improving its performance over time [46]. Group 5: Overall Assessment - Despite its innovative approach, FlowithOS is still in development, facing challenges such as occasional malfunctions and performance issues during complex tasks [50][51]. - The potential for FlowithOS to transform the browsing experience by automating tasks is significant, suggesting a future where users may rely less on manual interactions [52].

Core Viewpoint - Amazon has issued a "cease and desist" letter to AI startup Perplexity, claiming its AI shopping assistant Comet violates Amazon's terms of service, posing a threat to Amazon's digital advertising revenue [1][2] Group 1: Legal Dispute - Amazon has requested Perplexity to remove its brand from the Comet experience due to a "significantly degraded shopping and customer service experience" [2] - Perplexity has labeled Amazon's actions as an "aggressive legal threat" and a "first legal salvo against an AI company," indicating broader implications for internet users [2][4] Group 2: Financial Impact - Amazon's CEO Andy Jassy expressed optimism about AI shopping agents, suggesting they could increase online shopping, which is beneficial for Amazon's business model [3] - In Q3 2025, Amazon generated $17.7 billion from digital advertising, marking a 24% increase from the same quarter the previous year, outpacing growth in its e-commerce and AWS segments [3] Group 3: Market Dynamics - The conflict highlights the tension between traditional e-commerce practices and emerging AI technologies, with Amazon prioritizing its advertising revenue over potential competition from AI shopping agents [4]

Core Points - Amazon has issued a cease-and-desist letter to Perplexity, demanding the cessation of its AI shopping bot, Comet, which is accused of degrading the shopping experience and violating terms of service [2][4] - Perplexity claims that Amazon is employing "bully tactics" to deter innovation in shopping technology, asserting that Comet is designed to enhance user experience [3][4] - Amazon is developing its own AI shopping agents and argues that Perplexity's bot is making errors in personalized recommendations and delivery times [2][4] Company Actions - Amazon's legal action against Perplexity sets the stage for a potential lawsuit if Comet continues its operations [2] - The company emphasizes that Perplexity's bot is not transparent in its shopping practices and is gaining unauthorized access to Amazon's platform [4] Industry Context - Perplexity is valued at approximately $20 billion and is part of a growing sector focused on AI agents that assist with online tasks [4] - Other tech companies, such as OpenAI, are also entering the AI shopping space, with new capabilities expected in major web browsers like Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge [6]

Core Viewpoint - The legal dispute between Perplexity and Amazon highlights tensions in the evolving landscape of AI-assisted online shopping, with Perplexity asserting its right to operate without Amazon's imposed restrictions [1][2][3]. Group 1: Legal Dispute - Amazon issued a legal threat to Perplexity, demanding that it block users from deploying AI assistants on its platform, marking Amazon's first legal action against an AI company [2]. - Perplexity responded by stating that its AI operates under human direction and does not need to identify itself as an agent, arguing that Amazon's demands are unreasonable and a form of intimidation [2][3]. - The e-commerce giant contends that third-party agents should clearly identify themselves when making purchases on behalf of customers, suggesting that Perplexity could comply with such transparency [3][4]. Group 2: Perplexity's Position - Perplexity characterized Amazon's actions as a threat to all internet users and accused the company of using bully tactics against disruptive innovation [3]. - The startup emphasized that agentic shopping represents a natural evolution in the industry and expressed its determination not to be intimidated by Amazon's legal threats [3][4]. Group 3: Background and Controversies - This legal conflict is part of a series of controversies surrounding Perplexity, including accusations of using undeclared crawlers to bypass website restrictions [4]. - CEO Aravind Srinivas has previously warned against the misuse of AI tools, particularly after a viral incident involving Perplexity's browser completing a Coursera assignment rapidly [5]. - Perplexity has also made headlines for its unsolicited $34.5 billion cash bid to acquire Google's Chrome browser, indicating its ambition in the tech sector [5].

Core Viewpoint - Amazon is suing Perplexity AI Inc. to prevent the company from using its AI browser agent, Comet, for online shopping on Amazon's platform, which may set a precedent for the application of "agentic artificial intelligence" [1][2][3] Group 1: Legal Dispute - Amazon filed a lawsuit against Perplexity, accusing it of computer fraud for not disclosing its identity while shopping on behalf of users, violating Amazon's terms of service [1][2] - Perplexity claims that Amazon's actions are a form of bullying aimed at stifling innovation and competition in AI shopping agents [2][5] - The lawsuit escalates a prior dispute where Amazon had sent a cease-and-desist letter to Perplexity, alleging that its AI agent disrupts the shopping experience and poses privacy risks [1][4] Group 2: Implications for AI Agents - The conflict highlights an emerging debate on the regulation and use of AI agents in online shopping, as these agents can perform complex tasks on behalf of users [2][3] - Amazon's lawsuit may clarify the boundaries of AI agents' permissions in assisting humans with real-world tasks, beyond just generating online content [1][2] Group 3: Amazon's Position and Developments - Amazon is also developing its own AI agents, such as the "Buy For Me" feature and the "Rufus" assistant, which can browse and recommend products on Amazon [2][3] - Amazon's CEO Andy Jassy acknowledged that the current user experience with AI shopping agents is not ideal, citing issues like lack of personalization and inaccurate price displays [6] Group 4: Financial and Strategic Considerations - Perplexity's valuation has reached $20 billion, and it has committed "hundreds of millions" to Amazon Web Services (AWS), indicating a significant business relationship [2][6] - The rise of shopping agents could threaten Amazon's lucrative advertising business, as these agents may reduce the value of paid product placements in search results [5][6]

Core Viewpoint - Amazon and AI startup Perplexity are engaged in a legal dispute regarding the use of third-party AI agents for shopping on Amazon's platform, with Perplexity asserting its right to allow users to utilize AI for shopping [2][3]. Group 1: Dispute Details - Perplexity received an "aggressive legal threat" from Amazon, demanding that it prevent users of its Comet browser from using AI assistants to shop on Amazon [2]. - Perplexity stated it will not be intimidated and aims to empower users to control their digital shopping experiences through agentic AI [2]. - Amazon responded by emphasizing that third-party applications should respect businesses' decisions regarding participation in their platforms [3]. Group 2: Amazon's Position - Amazon argues that ensuring a positive customer experience is crucial and that third-party applications, like Perplexity's Comet, have similar obligations to respect business decisions [3]. - The company highlighted that it has requested Perplexity to remove Amazon from the Comet experience due to concerns over degraded shopping and customer service [3]. Group 3: Industry Context - Reports indicated that Amazon has been taking measures to block AI shopping tools from other companies, including updating its website code to restrict new AI agents [4]. - The rise of agentic AI has prompted companies to evaluate both the economic potential and risks associated with this emerging technology [4].

Core Argument - Amazon has issued a cease-and-desist letter to Perplexity, demanding the removal of its AI shopping assistant, Comet, from its platform, marking a significant legal action against an AI company [1][4] Group 1: Amazon's Position - Amazon argues that third-party agents must identify themselves when acting on behalf of users, similar to how food delivery and travel booking services operate [3][5] - The company suggests that Perplexity could comply by identifying its agent, which would allow it to continue shopping on Amazon [4] - Amazon's stance implies that it seeks to maintain control over its platform and the interactions that occur within it, particularly regarding advertising and product placements [5] Group 2: Perplexity's Defense - Perplexity contends that its AI acts under the same permissions as human users, thus not requiring identification as an agent [2] - The company claims that Amazon's actions are a threat to internet users and innovation, framing the legal threat as bullying [1] - Perplexity's previous controversies regarding web scraping have led to a defense from supporters who argue that its behavior is akin to that of human-operated web browsers [8][9] Group 3: Industry Implications - The conflict between Amazon and Perplexity may set a precedent for how AI agents interact with e-commerce platforms, potentially influencing future regulations and practices in the industry [9] - The situation raises questions about the future of bot interactions with websites and whether companies will need to adapt to accommodate AI-driven shopping [9]

Amazon has sent a cease-and-desist letter to Perplexity demanding that the artificial intelligence search startup stop allowing its AI browser agent, Comet, to make purchases online for users. https://t.co/w7ITnk2xpf ...

Core Viewpoint - The article argues that the notion of "AI Browser = OS" is fundamentally flawed, emphasizing that while AI browsers may exhibit functionalities similar to operating systems, they do not possess the core responsibilities and capabilities that define an OS [6][9][23]. Group 1: AI Browsers and Their Capabilities - AI browsers like Dia, Comet, and ChatGPT Atlas are emerging as significant players in the AI landscape, with traditional browsers like Chrome and Edge also adopting AI features [3][7]. - The capabilities of AI browsers have expanded to include functionalities that were traditionally associated with operating systems, such as PWA, Service Worker, and background synchronization [7][9]. - Despite these advancements, AI browsers lack essential OS functions such as process scheduling, memory management, and system calls, which are critical for true operating system classification [9][11][15]. Group 2: Definition and Future of AI Browsers - The article suggests that a more appropriate term for the operational layer of AI browsers would be "Agent Operating Layer" (AOL), which focuses on orchestration, permissions, and state management [16][23]. - Future developments may lead to a "universal container" model for AI browsers, allowing for better integration with various AI models and APIs, thus enhancing their functionality [18][22]. - The shift from a model-centric approach to a capability-centric approach is anticipated, where the focus will be on defining stable and governable capabilities rather than merely upgrading models [22][23].