Perplexity offers to buy Chrome for billions more than it’s raised
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Perplexity Makes $34.5 Billion Bid for Google's Chrome Browser
Above: A Google Chrome logo displayed on a smartphone with a Comet Bowser logo by Perplexity. Image copyright: Avishek Das/SOPA Images/LightRocket/Getty Images
The Spin
Narrative A
Perplexity strikes at Chrome's heart with Comet — an AI-powered browser that transforms passive searching into active assistance. While Google drowns users in endless links, Perplexity synthesizes answers with citations, completes tasks autonomously, and replaces antiquated search paradigms with intelligent conversation. It's David wielding artificial intelligence against Goliath's stagnant monopoly.
Narrative B
Perplexity's $34.5 billion Chrome bid is theatrical desperation — a marketing stunt masquerading as serious business. With barely $18 billion in valuation and no sustainable path to leverage Chrome's 3.5 billion users, they're cosplaying as a tech giant while Google isn't even selling. It's performative ambition colliding with harsh reality.