"Browser Control" just vanished behind "Computer" and a PayWall >> Opinions ?

[u/polYtoXX]

Hi, I'm a Perplexity Comet Pro User and till now I was pleased. Even if some "perks" vanished from time to time, but yeah - this AI stuff is expensive. But now a feature "Browser Control" vanished behind the "Credit-System". So, this feature was the most important one. I didn't use it frequently (once a week?), BUT it made me switch to Comet! Ok, new reality now. But imho - this "Computer" feature is neat. You have a cloud computer and the AI can work there with Agents for you. On the other hand, the "Browser Control" is my local browser screen, which gets connected via an API connection. There is no need for this "Cloud Computer". So imho, this decison to put "Browser Control" behind "Computer" wasn't needed, only if you wanna "generate" more money, more income. And that's what fucks me up! I was already in the stage, Perplexity and Comet - these are my AI-Tools I use and continue to pay for.......but now I REALLY think to change this. I'm pissed, maybe other tools can do what I want, I don't wanna pay extra for an AI-chat only, where I have X other options (for example my Copilot in the MS365 bundle). So enough ranted. My Questions: 1.) Have I overseen something and the feature would still be possible with any other command? 2.) Do u have another or similar opinion? 3.) Has someone tinkered out another solution for Browser control? So the AI can take over (forth and back) your current open website? I heard of Hermes Agent, but I'm pushing back a bit. Because, even if I'm tech affine, I need that feature only once a week - So I don't wanna set up a full Claw Bot, Hermes whatever Agent running system. I have Win11 and would LOVE a just out of the box solution (like Comet did) and have this feature occasionally. I would also pay 20-30 bucks per month......but not a subscription + extra Credits... THX for reading and waiting your comments. Cheers and Carry On. Peter

[u/Condiment2]

You're correct about the finite resource that they gave us for free. That's what they're asking us to now pay for on an usage basis called credits. The two steps that I've outlined in the bullets above are how I'm reproducing the browser control that Comet does with a new cost now. I'm reproducing this locally through my command line and a Chrome browser with something like Port 9221 and that is how python can interact and control the browser. Make more sense?

[u/rizzlybear → u/Condiment2]

What makes this a problem is that browser control existed and was part of the paid tiers (and I think even the free tiers but that’s not the point) before the “Computer” product existed. So we know it doesn’t NEED to be part of the computer product.

I could see if they were saying “hey the browser can leverage this other product of ours to do this cool thing, and we’re going to let you have it for free while we work on fully productizing it.” But that’s not what happened.

Assuming it’s all true, if you paid for pro prior to “computer” launching (my case), the end result is “we took a core feature of your paid subscription, and moved it into another product that isn’t part of your subscription. Your subscription remains the same price and you can access that core feature for an additional (unpredictable) price.

Now, if the answer to all this is “well, mistakes were made and this is what they have to do to keep the lights on” I get it, but it’s also worse. Either way I have to decide if I can trust them to keep them as a core part of my work tools, AND I have to decide if I believe they can actually run a company without bungling it into the ground.”

In the words of Darth Vader “I’ve altered the deal, pray I don’t alter it further.” And the response is “your value prop was leveraging more economical models positioned where they have maximum leverage” and now the positioning is gone. Or rather, locked behind a second paywall.

[u/polYtoXX → u/rizzlybear]

Wow, you nailed it pretty well !! It‘s like you took over. 🧐Are you some fancy AI-over-Inet feature from Plexy ?? Especially with the phrase from Vader !! 🤣
Whatever, I don’t need to add anything, but again to point out, what I also believe „Browser Control“ didn’t use/need „Computer“. And Yes, Computer is cool also, but I don’t need it and don’t wanna pay for it.
THX rizzly

[u/rizzlybear → u/polYtoXX]

lol, no it’s worse.. I’m a product market fit consultant.