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

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Messages app layout changes in macOS 26

Siena demonstrated the new layout of the Messages app in macOS 26 Tahoe, highlighting significant changes from previous versions.

• Details
  • Siena: Explained that the conversations table has been moved from the top to the bottom of the interface
  • Siena: Demonstrated that users now need to navigate through the messages collection first before reaching the conversations table
  • Siena: Showed that the search field has also been moved to the bottom of the interface
  • Ali: Commented that the new layout resembles the iPad version of Messages
  • Ashlyn: Noted similar confusing layout changes in other apps like Safari
• Conclusion
  • The new layout requires users to adjust their navigation patterns
  • The changes appear to be part of Apple’s strategy to make Mac apps more consistent with iPad versions

Opening conversations in separate windows

Siena demonstrated how to open multiple conversations in separate windows for easier management.

• Details
  • Siena: Showed how to use the Actions menu to open a conversation in a new window
  • Siena: Demonstrated using Control+Option+F2 twice to access the window chooser
  • Siena: Explained how to navigate between multiple open conversation windows
  • Ivy: Asked clarifying questions about the window switching process
• Conclusion
  • Opening conversations in separate windows can make managing multiple chats easier
  • The window chooser (Control+Option+F2 twice) is an efficient way to switch between conversations

Pinning conversations

Siena demonstrated how to pin important conversations to keep them at the top of the conversations list.

• Details
  • Siena: Showed how to access the Actions menu with VO+Command+Space
  • Siena: Demonstrated pinning and unpinning conversations
  • Siena: Explained that pinned conversations stay at the top of the list
  • Ivy: Asked if pinning affects how messages are threaded
• Conclusion
  • Pinning is useful for keeping frequently used conversations easily accessible
  • Pins sync across Apple devices (Mac, iPhone, iPad)
  • Pinning only affects conversation placement, not message threading

Message filtering

Siena demonstrated how to use filters to view specific types of messages.

• Details
  • Siena: Showed how to access the filter menu in the toolbar
  • Siena: Demonstrated filtering by unread messages, spam, and recently deleted messages
  • Siena: Explained how to return to viewing all messages
• Conclusion
  • Filters help manage large numbers of conversations
  • The filter menu provides several options for viewing specific message types

Sending and replying to messages

Siena demonstrated various ways to interact with messages in conversations.

• Details
  • Siena: Showed how to type and send new messages
  • Siena: Demonstrated adding reactions to messages using the Actions menu
  • Siena: Explained the difference between general replies and specific replies in group chats
  • Jackie: Asked about proper spacing when using emoticons
  • Ivy: Asked clarifying questions about identifying the message field
• Conclusion
  • The Messages app supports various ways to interact with conversations
  • The edit field is typically where VoiceOver places users when opening a conversation

Concerns about Apple’s app design direction

Participants discussed their concerns about Apple’s approach to Mac app design.

• Details
  • Ali: Expressed disappointment that Apple is porting iPad apps to Mac rather than maintaining proper desktop versions
  • Ali: Noted that the desktop versions of apps were often lacking features compared to mobile versions
  • Siena: Compared WhatsApp’s desktop app, which maintains a traditional desktop layout
  • Ashlyn: Commented that third-party developers tend to “leave things alone” rather than making unnecessary changes
• Conclusion
  • Participants generally preferred traditional desktop app layouts for Mac
  • The trend of porting iPad apps to Mac was seen as making navigation less intuitive

VoiceOver issues on Mac

Participants discussed ongoing issues with VoiceOver on Mac.

• Details
  • Siena: Mentioned that VoiceOver on Mac hasn’t been updated or “given any love” by developers
  • Ali: Noted that VoiceOver on Mac has “too many issues, too many quirks”
  • Siena: Demonstrated a glitch where VoiceOver doesn’t save activity settings
  • Ali: Mentioned that some people, like Stephen Scott, have suggested Apple should “start over” with VoiceOver on Mac
  • Ashlyn: Added that VoiceOver on iPhone also has issues
• Conclusion
  • VoiceOver on Mac appears to have been neglected compared to iOS versions
  • Persistent bugs and quirks make navigation challenging

Coming up on Techstravaganza

You can find a list of upcoming topics for the rest of January and most of February at the following link. Please note: the list of topics will soon be updated to reflect added topics. Also, next month’s Techstravaganza 2.0 on February 12, will focus on Jaws basics.

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

Contact the team:

Email

support@techstravaganza.ca

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