All articles tagged with #personal computer
Perplexity has gifted a small number of Mac Minis to select content creators to showcase its AI-powered Personal Computer, a Mac app that runs across local files, native apps, and the web; the move comes amid a surge in Mac Mini demand tied to AI tools, rising Apple prices, and a growing view of the Mac Mini as a status symbol among power users.
Perplexity launches a Mac app that extends its hybrid local-cloud AI, Personal Computer, to Pro and Enterprise users, enabling workflow automation across local files and native Mac apps while running tasks on Perplexity’s servers; it requires a subscription, works on macOS 14 Sonoma+ (best on a Mac mini for continuous use), and can operate web tools via the Comet browser with text or voice commands.
Perplexity rolled out Personal Computer, a 24/7 AI agent that runs on a dedicated device on your local network to turn a spare Mac (and potentially a Mac Mini) into a private AI assistant with full access to files and apps, controllable from anywhere. It’s pitched as more secure than rivals with features like an audit trail, the ability to reverse actions, and a kill switch; access is via a waitlist while the service is prepared for broader rollout, and a video demo shows it drafting emails, turning reports into slides, and ranking job candidates for professional use.
Berlin-based startup Deta is launching Space OS, a personal cloud computer that aims to bring back the personal computer experience in the cloud. Space OS offers an infinite canvas desktop where users can take notes, watch movies, and run full apps by drawing rectangles on the screen. Unlike traditional cloud services, Deta's goal is to give users complete control over their data and software, allowing them to download and own their apps. The platform also emphasizes app interoperability and the use of AI. While Space OS runs on someone else's servers, Deta aims to build a user-friendly platform that prioritizes privacy and data ownership. The company plans to make heavy use of progressive web apps and hopes to create a more fluid and interactive computing experience.
Bob Metcalfe, co-inventor of Ethernet, a computer networking technology that has become an industry standard, has been awarded this year's Turing Award by the Association for Computing Machinery. The award, often called the Nobel Prize of computing, comes with a $1 million prize. Metcalfe's work on Ethernet helped connect personal computers and other devices within an office, leading to the development of the modern internet.