Mozilla's Firefox adds Perplexity's AI answer engine as a new search option | TechCrunch
Mozilla's Firefox adds Perplexity's AI answer engine as a new search option | TechCrunch
This is literally just one extra search engine selection.
It's funny that people get upset about one line in a config file that's not even selected by default.
I use librewolf via nix home-manager to declaratively configure preferences, plugins, engines, bookmarks, and policy settings. My librewolf configuration module is my largest config file by far... At least I don't need to reapply it by hand anymore, but I really wish Firefox didn't suck so much.
Here's hoping ladybird is a success.
So it's just another search engine option, they probably get money for that too. No big deal for me, I don't have to use it if I don't want to.
Why does AI need to be shoved into everything, honestly its not AI its just an LLM that summarizes your search, and plays as a yes man.
It's totally "shoved" when it's just an additional option in the search engine sélection...
I mean, if this helps fund Firefox and is not too intrusive then I am fine with it.
AI has money and Mozilla needs it. Are you going to pay for Firefox development?
I’m not upvoting out of support for this move but to spread awareness
Whereas I'm upvoting because I support adding options. If you don't like it, don't use it.
I really don’t know enough about Perplexity AI to have an opinion one way or another, which is why I’m upvoting for awareness. I can’t say whether it’s a good or bad thing, although I’m not optimistic given the general trend of shoehorning “AI” in whether it makes sense or not, but I’m sure there are actually useful applications for the product and a better search engine could be one. I want actual search results, though, not a generated slop answer.
Everyone already had the choice to use this before. You can visit any site with a search box, and add that site as a search engine to Firefox.
This is forcing it down people's throats.
Voting is confusing
How about not adding more AI shit instead?
It's just a search engine choice.
I agree with the sentiment, but this is quite possibly the least offensive idea Mozilla has had in a while.
Ew. Also, LibreWolf.
I prefer waterfox but i normally use them booth as they are awesome (one just with the basic addons and the other with all the addons i want but they could break websites)
This is just a search engine option not some built in AI tool.
No issue here other than fuck AI in general. Just don't use it.
The issue is them adding it to your list without user's input or even notification. This is unpleasant behaviour that shouldn't be normal, even if this time there is no damage.
AI-shittification begins.
It's a search option, probably like how different search engines are present.
I get that Mozilla needs to keep the lights on but... yeah.
I've increasingly been meaning to switch to a fork. Anyone aware of a good way to self host a bookmark (and preferably tab) sync?
I set up floccus but haven’t dove completely into it. So far it’s neat though.
Floccus is so neat. Way more than just Mozilla's sync.
Another reason not to use vanilla Firefox.
Once again Mozilla adds shit nobody wants and wonders why nobody uses Firefox anymore
People don't use Firefox because it doesn't have a global tech company shoving it onto people
I mean honeslty why use base firefox when there are much better forks of firefox. Floorp for example which I like.
If I want straight up firefox without the AI stuff then I'll just go use Librewolf.
pretty easy to just remove it as an option. settings/search/ scroll down to list of search engines, click perplexity, click remove. If enough people do this, maybe they will get the hint.
How do I prevent new antifeatures from being added? How do I even know about the new antifeatures as they are added? Does Mozilla publish an RSS feed of each antifeature like this that they add, that gives a quick explanation of how to undo it?
idk if they have an rss or not. I always click the what's new link when they push an upgrade.
Thankfully it's easy to remove yet. But this sneaky automatic addition is still annoying.
They should listen to Meredith Whittaker (German) the boss of Signal.
Link 404s for me.
I changed it, should work now.
Floorp
I legit can't get over the name, and the interface is buggy.
The name is either made to enounce the sound of a toilet plunger releasing its suction, or it's meant to be pronounced "floor pee".
I'll pick Librewolf instead.
I never thought to read "floorp" as "floor" + "pee", but now I can't unsee that.
It was buggy. Not sure what version, distro you got. Works fine for me.
Ones that work well take your natural language input, spend time searching and offer results. Not summarize anything. How well does perplexity work in that regard I wonder?
I find that chatgpt and claude try to give you one answer and sounds mildly to very certain about themselves without giving references.
Perplexity actually gives reference links for each claim it makes, which I find better because I can check it's work and fork off and explore further myself at any point along it's reasoning.
As a definite AI Hater, I find it to be a good middle ground LLM / search engine
I have no idea why they call it "integration"? It's just a search option like any other search option.
Personally I have 10 search options enabled already, so this is number 11, and if I don't like it, I will just disable it, which is dead easy to do, with a button for the purpose of changing settings right beside the search options.
I tried it for 2 terms I know very well, and the response was very good, but I would never trust an AI response without double checking.
Boooooo. I hope Mozilla is at least getting paid a shit ton of AI money for this.
🫥
Librewolf. You're welcome.
Has anyone figured out how to automate updates on macOS (ew I know, but it's my wife's computer)?
I just use homebrew with quarantine disabled (otherwise homebrew will auto-update the package with quarantine enabled again, even if you installed it without).
I don't like macs. Just have to use one for work.
Oh that's a fork that's explicitly about having less options for the user then?