Perplexity is quietly expanding the capabilities of its Comet browser with a new type of local connector that builds on the MCP support previously spotted in development builds. While the option to connect to local or remote MCPs was discovered some time ago, those features remain unreleased. Now, a new Mac-specific connector has surfaced for Apple's Messages app. This would allow Comet assistant to pull message context into conversations when prompted, representing the first platform-native local integration carrying an explicit "Local" label. The feature is not yet available to users, and there is no confirmed release timeline.
This Messages connector would primarily appeal to macOS power users who want their AI assistant to reason across communication history alongside web data, blurring the boundary between browser and desktop even further.
Separately, a new settings area called "Usage and Credits" has appeared in development builds. This section would let users view their current spending limits and potentially purchase additional credits to extend usage, similar to Anthropic's credit system for Claude. The timing here is notable. Between late 2025 and early 2026, Perplexity drastically reduced Pro plan limits, cutting Deep Research queries from roughly 500 per day to as few as 20 per month, while pushing heavy users toward the $200/month Max tier. A credits system would give Pro subscribers who hit their new caps a way to buy additional capacity without committing to a full-tier upgrade, potentially easing the backlash from annual subscribers who felt shortchanged by the sudden reductions.
