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