• Google's Antitrust Remedy Trial: Started this week. DOJ produced witnesses to testify about Google's search stranglehold slowing innovation. On day three, Perplexity's Chief Business Officer Dmitry Shevelenko told the court Google blocked Perplexity from being bundled with Motorola phones, which is anticompetitive. But now Perplexity is included with Moto's new flip phones.
• Mobile Integration Contracts: Shevelenko likened Google's mobile integration contracts to a "gun to your head". Motorola and Perplexity wanted a partnership last year but the phone maker couldn't get out of its Google distribution contract, preventing the use of a non-Google assistant platform. Google has long required Android device makers to use Assistant and the launch of Gemini added urgency. Motorola's 2024 phones featured Gemini instead of Google Assistant, leaving no room for Perplexity.
• Antitrust Testimony: Shevelenko noted default placement is important but difficult due to Google's omnipresence. Changing the default from Gemini to Perplexity on a Motorola phone took 10-15 minutes and he needed IT staff help. He also confirmed Perplexity would be interested in buying Chrome from Google.
• Motorola's AI Integration: With the announcement of 2025 Razr devices, Motorola confirmed a more expansive set of AI features. Parts of the Motorola AI experience are powered by Gemini, Copilot, Meta, and Perplexity. Perplexity's app is preloaded and owners get three free months of Perplexity Pro. It's integrated into the Moto AI platform and proactively suggests AI searches in certain features. Moto AI also has elements powered by other AI systems like Microsoft Copilot and Meta's Llama model. It's unclear why Motorola used four different AI providers.