Aravind Srinivas
📰 Headlines: Apple Reportedly Eyes $14B Acquisition of Perplexity AI 💁
In a surprise move that could change the AI and smartphone landscape, Apple is reportedly in talks to acquire Perplexity AI for a jaw-dropping $14 billion (approximately 1,20,000 crore Indian Rupees). If this deal goes through, it will not only become Apple’s biggest acquisition in history but also signify a bold step into the AI-first era, a domain where Apple has been lagging behind competitors like Google, OpenAI, and Samsung.
But why is Apple so interested in a 2-year-old startup? And what makes Perplexity AI so valuable? Let’s break it down.
🍎 Why Apple Needs a Game-Changing Acquisition Now
Despite its unmatched legacy, Apple is currently under pressure:
- 🔯 Innovation Slowdown: Since the iPhone 12’s 5G launch in 2020, critics say Apple hasn’t delivered any breakthrough features.
- 🔍 AI Race Falling Behind: Google has Gemini, Samsung has Galaxy AI powered by Google, and Microsoft has OpenAI’s ChatGPT. Apple’s own “Apple Intelligence” hasn’t been able to keep up.
- ⚖️ Legal Pressure on Google: With the U.S. government challenging Google’s monopoly as iPhone’s default search engine, Apple may need an AI-powered search alternative fast.
Enter Perplexity AI – a rising star in the AI search world.
🔍 Meet Perplexity AI: The Disruptor Apple Wants
Founded in 2022 by Aravind Srinivas, an Indian-origin engineer with credentials from IIT Madras, OpenAI, Google Brain, and DeepMind – Perplexity AI is much more than a search engine.
✨ Key Features of Perplexity AI:
- 🕵️♂️ Real-Time AI Search with answers pulled from live data
- 🤖 Multi-Model Integration (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok)
- 💬 Conversational Answers rather than static links
- 📱 Blended Search across the web + phone files
- ️ Shopping Integration with Amazon & Shopify
- 🎥 Text-to-Video Generation
- 🗣️ AI Assistant with Voice Commands
- 🚀 Upcoming: Perplexity Comet, a hands-free AI agent for web tasks
📈 Growth & Market Value
In just 2 years, Perplexity has:
- 🚀 Grown to 15 million monthly users
- 📊 Reached a valuation of $1.5 billion
- 🤝 Gained high-profile investors like Jeff Bezos, Nvidia, and Shopify CEO Tobias Lutke
Now Apple is offering nearly 10x its valuation – a strong signal that they see this not just as an investment, but a strategic weapon in the AI war.
💰 The Apple-Perplexity Deal: What We Know So Far
- 🧹 Deal Size: $14 billion – more than Apple paid for Beats ($3B in 2014)
- 👤 Lead Negotiator: Adrian Perica, Apple’s M&A head
- 🗓️ Status: Discussions are ongoing; valuation talks remain
- ❓ Uncertainty: Aravind Srinivas has not confirmed acceptance
🌞 Strategic Impacts: More Than Just a Search Engine
✅ Replacing Google Search on iPhones?
With Google’s monopoly under fire, Apple might use Perplexity as the default AI search — keeping users in its ecosystem while reducing dependency.
🧠 AI Talent Boost
This acquisition would inject top AI minds directly into Apple — accelerating innovation across iOS, Siri, Safari, and beyond.
📱 iPhones Get Smarter
Imagine an iPhone that can:
- Summarize documents from your phone and the web
- Answer questions with live data
- Book a train ticket just from your voice prompt
That’s the Perplexity power Apple is chasing.
🌍 Global Relevance: Why the World Is Watching!
This move sends a clear message:
“Apple is serious about AI – not just catching up but taking the lead.”
Whether you’re a developer, AI enthusiast, tech investor, or iPhone user, the Apple – Perplexity AI story is a case study in how the future of AI is being bought, built, and battled for.
📢 Final Thoughts: Will Aravind Say Yes?
The ball is in Aravind Srinivas’s court. Accepting this deal could turn his 2-year-old startup into Apple’s crown jewel in AI. But the real question remains: Will he sell? Or will he grow?
Either way, AI search has entered its next chapter, and Apple wants to be on the first page.
