Techstravaganza

Perplexity for iPhone, Wednesday, Jan 14, 2026

Listen Later
Perplexity App Introduction and Setup

Siena demonstrated how to install and set up the Perplexity app on an iPhone.

  • Details
    • Siena: Walked through the installation process, showing how to sign in using Google, Apple, email, or single sign-on
    • Siena: Explained the app’s interface including library, discover, and ask buttons
    • Siena: Demonstrated how to dismiss initial prompts and navigate the app
    • Conclusion
      • The app has a straightforward setup process with multiple sign-in options
      • The interface includes library, discover, and ask sections for different functionalities
        • Basic Search Functionality

        Siena demonstrated how to perform basic searches in Perplexity using a question about the Beatles song “Let It Be.”

        • Details
          • Siena: Asked “In what key is the song Let It Be by the Beatles?”
          • Siena: Showed how to select search modes (fast answers, deep research, etc.)
          • Siena: Explained that free users get limited Pro searches per day
          • Siena: Demonstrated how Perplexity provides detailed answers with citations
          • Rob: Commented that the information could help improve his guitar playing as a self-taught musician
          • Conclusion
            • Perplexity correctly identified the song is in C major and provided additional musical details
            • The app cites sources for its information, enhancing credibility
            • The app offers different search modes with varying depths of research
              • Follow-up Questions and Conversation Flow

              Siena demonstrated how to ask follow-up questions to create a conversational flow with Perplexity.

              • Details
                • Siena: Asked follow-up questions about who composed “Let It Be”
                • Siena: Showed how Perplexity maintains context between questions
                • Rob: Shared his surprise about learning that “Mother Mary” referred to Paul McCartney’s mother, not the Virgin Mary
                • Ivy: Asked if there was a voice option for the app
                • Conclusion
                  • Perplexity maintains context between questions, creating a conversational experience
                  • The app provides detailed answers with interesting background information
                  • Users can scroll to find the “Ask a follow-up” text field at the bottom of responses
                    • Music Information and Sheet Music

                    The group explored Perplexity’s ability to provide music-related information, including chord sheets and lyrics.

                    • Details
                      • Liz: Asked if Perplexity could read piano music to a blind person in small chunks
                      • Siena: Demonstrated asking for lyrics to “Let It Be”
                      • Siena: Attempted to get sheet music for various songs
                      • Rob: Requested chord information for “Glimpse of Us” by Joji
                      • Siena: Found that Perplexity provided chord progressions but noted copyright limitations for newer songs
                      • Conclusion
                        • Perplexity can provide lyrics and chord progressions for songs
                        • The app has limitations with providing complete sheet music due to copyright restrictions
                        • Older songs have fewer copyright restrictions than newer ones
                          • Voice-to-Voice Mode

                          Siena demonstrated Perplexity’s voice interaction capabilities.

                          • Details
                            • Ivy: Asked if there was a voice option in the app
                            • Siena: Located and demonstrated the voice-to-voice mode
                            • Siena: Played a game of Hangman using voice commands
                            • Ivy: Noted this would save typing and be more convenient
                            • Conclusion
                              • Voice-to-voice mode allows for hands-free interaction with Perplexity
                              • The mode is effective for playing games and maintaining conversational flow
                              • Voice mode requires microphone permission
                                • Creative Content Generation

                                Siena tested Perplexity’s ability to generate creative content by requesting a Harry Potter fanfiction.

                                • Details
                                  • Siena: Asked Perplexity to write a Harry Potter fanfiction story
                                  • Siena: Read the generated story about Albus Potter visiting a wandmaker
                                  • Liz: Commented “Who needs novelists anymore?” impressed by the quality
                                  • Conclusion
                                    • Perplexity can generate creative content with minimal prompting
                                    • The app creates contextually appropriate stories within established fictional universes
                                    • The quality of generated content impressed participants
                                      • Comparison with Other AI Tools

                                      The group discussed how Perplexity compares to other AI tools like ChatGPT and Gemini.

                                      • Details
                                        • Max: Asked how Perplexity differs from ChatGPT and Gemini
                                        • Siena: Asked Perplexity directly for a comparison
                                        • Ali: Mentioned she works extensively with Google systems
                                        • Max: Mentioned another tool called Orion for finding objects
                                        • Conclusion
                                          • Perplexity excels at citation-backed answers to real-world questions
                                          • ChatGPT is better for long-form creative work
                                          • Gemini works best for those deep in the Google ecosystem
                                          • Different AI tools have different strengths and use cases
                                            • Recipe Search Functionality

                                            Liz asked about Perplexity’s ability to find recipes.

                                            • Details
                                              • Liz: Asked if Perplexity could find a recipe for Dutch apple pie
                                              • Siena: Demonstrated searching for the recipe
                                              • Siena: Showed how to ask follow-up questions about apple types
                                              • Ivy: Asked about cursor placement for follow-up questions
                                              • Conclusion
                                                • Perplexity can provide detailed recipes with ingredients and instructions
                                                • The app can answer specific follow-up questions about cooking techniques and ingredients
                                                • Navigation requires scrolling to find the follow-up question field
                                                  • Discussion of Orion App for Object Finding

                                                  The group discussed another AI app called Orion that helps find objects.

                                                  • Details
                                                    • Max: Introduced Orion as a tool for finding and identifying objects
                                                    • Liz: Asked if it could help find lost items like hearing aids or identify spices
                                                    • Ashlyn: Suggested smart glasses could help with similar tasks
                                                    • Ali: Proposed making Orion a future Techstravaganza tutorial topic
                                                    • Conclusion
                                                      • Orion is designed specifically for finding and identifying objects
                                                      • The app requires patience as users need to move their phones slowly
                                                      • The group agreed to make Orion a future tutorial topic in March
                                                        • Find Out What’s Coming up on Techstravaganza at the Following Link

                                                        (corrected), Updated, What’s Coming Up on Techstravaganza for January and February 2026

                                                        Contact the team:

                                                        Email

                                                        [email protected]

                                                        Like us on Facebook

                                                        https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578990010675

                                                        Follow the Show:

                                                        On Tunein

                                                        http://tun.in/pxXlj

                                                        On Apple Podcasts:

                                                        On Audible:

                                                        https://www.audible.ca/podcast/Techstravaganza/B0FWTHWQG7?source_code=ASSGB149080119000H&share_location=pdp

                                                        On iHeart:

                                                        On Spotify

                                                        https://spotify.link/vVGru9nKBXb
                                                        ...more
                                                        View all episodesView all episodes
                                                        Download on the App Store
                                                        TechstravaganzaBy Ali Moosa, Macara Slobodian, and Siena Trigiani