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Apple Explores Potential Acquisition of AI Startup Perplexity, Bloomberg Reports

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Apple (AAPL.O) executives have held early internal discussions about possibly bidding for artificial intelligence startup Perplexity, according to a Bloomberg News report on Friday citing sources familiar with the matter. However, the talks are in preliminary stages and may not result in an offer, with no direct communication reported between Apple and Perplexity management.

Perplexity stated it has no knowledge of any current or future merger and acquisition discussions involving the company. Apple did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

This potential move aligns with a broader trend of major tech companies ramping up investments in AI technologies to strengthen their competitive edge amid growing demand for AI-powered services. Bloomberg also reported that Meta Platforms (META.O) had attempted to acquire Perplexity earlier this year. Meta recently announced a $14.8 billion investment in Scale AI and appointed its CEO, Alexandr Wang, to lead a new superintelligence division.

Apple’s head of mergers and acquisitions, Adrian Perica, has reportedly discussed the possibility with services chief Eddy Cue and top AI leaders. The company aims to integrate AI-driven search functionalities, like those from Perplexity AI, into its Safari browser, which could reduce its reliance on Alphabet’s (GOOGL.O) Google — a longtime default search partner.

This shift comes amid ongoing U.S. Department of Justice efforts to limit Google’s dominance in online search, including proposals to ban payments that secure default search engine status. While traditional search engines like Google remain dominant globally, AI-powered search tools such as Perplexity and ChatGPT are gaining traction, particularly among younger users.

Perplexity recently completed a funding round valuing the startup at $14 billion, making any acquisition deal at that scale potentially Apple’s largest to date. The Nvidia-backed company offers AI search services that provide users with summarized information, similar to OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini.

Google One Surpasses 150 Million Subscribers Fueled by AI Enhancements

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Alphabet’s Google One subscription service recently hit a major milestone, surpassing 150 million subscribers worldwide. This marks a significant growth of 50% since February 2024, when the service had just reached 100 million users. Google One offers cloud storage along with a suite of artificial intelligence-powered features that appeal to consumers looking for enhanced capabilities beyond simple file storage.

In February 2024, Google introduced a premium $19.99 per month plan that includes advanced AI tools unavailable to free users or those on lower-priced tiers. This new AI-focused subscription tier has already attracted millions of subscribers, highlighting the increasing demand for AI-powered services. While Google continues to offer more affordable storage-only plans, it is clear that the AI features are a key driver of recent growth in Google One’s user base.

Google One is a strategic part of Alphabet’s broader plan to diversify its revenue streams beyond advertising, which currently accounts for over 75% of the company’s annual revenue. With the rise of AI technologies and shifting user behaviors, Alphabet is investing heavily in subscription services like Google One to build more sustainable and varied sources of income in the future.

This growth in subscriptions comes amid increasing competition in the AI space, including the rise of AI chatbots like OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s own Gemini. These technologies are reshaping how people search and interact online, challenging Alphabet’s dominance in the search engine market. For instance, Apple’s Safari browser recently experienced a drop in search volumes for the first time ever, as Apple prepares to launch AI-powered search features, signaling a new front in the ongoing competition between tech giants.

UK Antitrust Body Raises Concerns Over Apple and Google’s Mobile

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Britain’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has raised concerns about the state of competition in the mobile browser market, dominated by Apple and Google. The CMA’s independent inquiry group published a final report supporting its decision to open an investigation into the sector in January, stating that the market was not functioning well for consumers or businesses.

The majority of the report’s concerns were focused on Apple’s Safari browser, particularly its policies surrounding internet access on Apple devices. In response to provisional findings published in November, the CMA launched an investigation under its expanded powers to assess whether Apple and Google hold “strategic market status” (SMS) in mobile ecosystems, a broader focus than just the browser market.

The CMA suggested that if either company were designated with SMS status, it could lead to regulatory interventions, such as improving the ability of competitors to offer new features. Apple responded, stating that it prioritizes user trust and believes the remedies proposed would harm privacy and security. The company expressed concerns about the report and pledged to continue constructive dialogue with the CMA.

Google defended its position, highlighting that the Android ecosystem’s openness has expanded choice and lowered costs, which it claims democratizes access to smartphones and apps. Google also pledged to work collaboratively with the CMA to create a regulatory environment that fosters innovation.

The report revealed that Apple’s Safari and Google’s Chrome browsers dominate the mobile browser market, with Safari accounting for 88% of browser usage on Apple devices and Chrome holding 77% of the market on Android devices in 2024. Margot Daly, chair of the independent inquiry group, emphasized that the lack of competition in the browser space was stifling innovation and welcomed the CMA’s action to explore SMS investigations into the two tech giants.

The CMA expects to complete its SMS investigations later this year.