I am an Android consumer and have been since model 1.5 of the OS. Over the previous 12 months or so, Google has switched its default assistant to its highly effective AI resolution, Gemini. For some time, I used Gemini on Android to get solutions to my questions. I even made use of Gemini Stay (which is sort of spectacular).
However not too long ago, I have been defaulting to a distinct AI service, Perplexity. I’ve put in the Perplexity app on Android, Linux, and MacOS, and set it because the default search engine in my internet browser. Though I want utilizing native AI (such because the Ollama/Msty mixture), there are occasions after I want extra or one thing quicker than an area AI can ship. On high of that, my regionally put in AI would not have entry to real-time knowledge, so it will possibly’t inform me what’s within the information at this time.
However why Perplexity over Gemini?
For starters, you’ll be able to’t swap from Gemini to Perplexity because the Android default digital assistant, and I doubt that can ever be potential. You possibly can, nonetheless, use Perplexity in your telephone, desktop, and laptop computer because the default AI software.
Let me clarify why you would possibly need to do this.
1. AI as search engine
For me, that is the largest purpose to modify to Perplexity. I have been utilizing AI as a search engine for a while now. Why? The primary purpose is I discover Google far much less efficient than it as soon as was. Once I’m doing analysis, I want solutions quick and would quite not must wade by means of sponsored websites or websites that include so many advertisements that they render my browser unusable.
One factor about Gemini is that you would be able to definitely head to the Gemini web site and use it, however you’ll be able to’t set it because the default search engine in your internet browser. However, you are able to do this with Perplexity, and that, for me, is a deal-maker.
2. Higher, extra correct responses
After evaluating each Gemini and Perplexity for a number of weeks, I’ve discovered Perplexity not solely offers higher solutions (with extra description and context) however the solutions are additionally extra correct. I’ve discovered Gemini to supply refined inaccuracies pretty often, however I’ve but to seek out fault in a Perplexity response. That is to not say they are not there, however they’ve not been almost as apparent as what I typically discovered with Gemini. I am not saying that Gemini is all the time or usually flawed, however within the comparability, Gemini delivered much less correct responses total. On high of all this, the response element in Perplexity is far increased than Gemini.
3. Higher drawback fixing
One challenge I’ve had with Gemini is that if you ask it that will help you remedy one thing, it tends to reply with easy bullet factors. Sure, such lists make the responses straightforward to learn, however they lack the depth of information I require. That is simply me. Most individuals want fast bullet factors to allow them to shortly scan them and be on their approach. I need context. I need to know why a step is taken as an alternative of simply the step.
4. Observe up
One in all my favourite options of Perplexity is the “Ask follow-up” choice. I can ask it a query, and as soon as it offers me a solution, I can sort a follow-up query to proceed the dialogue. This characteristic makes it very straightforward to dig deeper and deeper right into a topic. These rabbit holes have usually led me to some actually fascinating info.
This was made particularly apparent after I was doing analysis for my newest novel. I requested about escape velocity, and it talked about the velocity of sunshine. I then requested a follow-up query in regards to the velocity of sunshine that wound up inspiring an vital plot level. You possibly can spend hours diving deeper and deeper right into a topic with Perplexity.
5. References
Each AI instruments add references to responses. The largest distinction is that Perplexity lists these sources on the high of their responses and, typically talking, provides significantly extra sources than Gemini. Gemini lists sources after the response is full, and almost each time, it did not checklist as many sources as Perplexity.
The opposite good factor about Perplexity is that it cites the sources in line. Hover over a quotation, and a pop-up seems with the supply hyperlink and a quick part of the textual content used. Gemini does this with small drop-downs for citations, however if you click on the drop-down, you solely get the supply hyperlink and never the snippet.
The one caveat to utilizing Perplexity over Gemini is that Gemini’s integration with different providers is in depth, whereas Perplexity’s is restricted. Even with that knock in opposition to Perplexity, I’ll proceed to make use of it over Gemini… even on Android.
