I am an Android user and I have been from version 1.5 of the operating system. In the past year, Google has changed its default assistant to its powerful AI solution, Gemini. For a while, I used Gemini on Android to get answers to my questions. I even used Gemini Live (which is quite impressive).
But recently, I lack with a different AI service, Perplexity. I installed the Perplexity application on Android, Linux and MacOS, and I defined it as default search engine in my web browser. Although I prefer to use the local AI (like the Olllama / MSTY combination), there are times when I need more or something faster than a local AI cannot deliver. In addition to that, my locally installed AI does not have access to real -time data, so he cannot tell me what is in the news today.
But why perplexity on Gemini?
Also: how I made the default search engine perplexity in my browser (and why you should also)
To start, you cannot go from Gemini to perplexity as a digital assistant by default Android, and I doubt it will never be possible. However, you can use perplexity on your phone, desktop and laptop as a default AI tool.
Let me explain why you may want to do this.
1. Ai as a search engine
For me, this is the main reason to come to perplexity. I have been using AI as a search engine for some time now. For what? The main reason is that I find Google much less effective than it was in the past. When I do research, I need answers quickly and I prefer not to have to go through sponsored sites or sites that contain as many advertisements as they make my browser unusable.
One thing about Gemini is that you can certainly go to the Gemini website and use it, but you cannot define it as default search engine in your web browser. On the other hand, you can do it with perplexity, and that, for me, is a head of business.
2. Better, more precise answers
After comparing the Gemini and perplexity for a few weeks, I found the perplexity not only of better answers (with more description and context), but the answers are also more precise. I found that the Gemini regularly produce subtle inaccuracies, but I have not yet found a fault in a perplexity response. This does not mean that they are not there, but they were not as obvious as what I generally found with Gemini. I am not saying that the Gemini are always or often wrong, but in comparison, the Gemini have delivered less precise answers overall. In addition to all this, the detail of the response in perplexity is much higher than the Gemini.
3. Better problem solving
A problem I had with Gemini is that when you ask him to help you solve something, he tends to answer with simple chips. Yes, such lists facilitate the answers, but they do not have the depth of the knowledge I need. It’s just me. Most people prefer fast fleas so that they can scan them quickly and be on the way. I want context. I want to know why a step is taken instead of the stage.
4.
One of my favorite perplexity features is the “ASK follow-up” option. I can ask him a question, and once he gives me an answer, I can type a follow -up question to continue the discussion. This functionality facilitates the digging more and more deeply in a subject. These rabbit holes have often led me to really fascinating information.
Also: this application facilitates the use of the local OLLAMA AI on macOS devices so easy
It was made particularly obvious when I was doing research for my latest novel. I asked questions about the exhaust speed, and it mentioned the speed of light. I then asked a question of monitoring on the speed of light which was inspired by an important intrigue point. You could spend hours diving more and more deep into a subject perplexity.
5. References
The two AI tools add references to the responses. The biggest difference is that perplexity lists these sources at the top of their responses and, in general, offers many more sources than Gemini. Gemini lists the sources once the answer is over, and almost each time, it does not lists as many sources as perplexity.
The other good thing about perplexity is that it cites online sources. Hover on a quote, and a pop-up appears with the source link and a brief section of the text used. Gemini does it with small drop -down cutlery for quotes, but when you click on the drop -down list, you only get the source link and not the extract.
Also: how to transform Olllama of a terminal tool into an AI based on a browser with this free extension
The only warning to use perplexity on Gemini is that the integration of Gemini with other services is extended, while perplexity is limited. Even with this blow against perplexity, I will continue to use it on Gemini … even on Android.
