Perplexity could also be on Apple’s acquisition record
Maybe in an acquihire to spice up search, or to enhance Siri, Apple executives have reportedly just lately mentioned shopping for or partnering with AI startup Perplexity.
The 2 executives linked to discussions are stated to be the corporate’s head of mergers Adrian Perica, and Eddy Cue. In accordance with unnamed sources inside Apple, inner discussions are in a really early stage, and there has not but been a proposal made.
Additionally a chance is a team-up with Perplexity, moderately than an outright purchase. Any partnership would put Perplexity in Safari, and maybe built-in into the long-delayed improved Siri venture, that’s not anticipated to ship till 2026.
The report on Friday by Bloomberg discusses that the transfer could get made to assist Apple develop an AI-powered search engine. Google pays Apple about $20 billion a yr to be the first search engine on the iPhone and Mac, however that deal is at risk after antitrust and regulatory discussions.
If a deal is reached to purchase Perplexity, the deal could be the most important in Apple historical past, and never by slightly. Perplexity is valued at about $14 billion. This far eclipses the deal that Apple made in 2014 for Beats, which price the corporate $3 billion.
The information could not come as a large shock, in the event you’ve been following the Google antitrust trial. On the stand, Cue was clear that that they had talked not less than some with Perplexity.
“We have been fairly impressed with what Perplexity has performed, so we have began some discussions with them about what they’re doing,” Cue stated, whereas underneath oath.
Past even that, the report is not exterior the realm of chance. Earlier rumors and Craig Federighi himself have stated that Apple is taking a look at working with a number of companions to ship an assortment of AI and search choices for shoppers.
The primary title tied to Apple’s AI effort is clearly OpenAI. Earlier than the Apple Intelligence rollout, Google and Meta had been named as attainable contributors.
Anthropic and Perplexity had been additionally talked about, not less than in passing.
To us, it appears extra doubtless that Apple is coping with AI suppliers the identical method they deal with {hardware} part suppliers. Having a number of suppliers on the hook, because it had been, on this case could finally give customers extra alternative, however may even hold prices down for Apple.
