Digital briefing, November 5: AI Mode booking links, OpenAI Images 2.6, OpenAI's Pierre acquisition
Google AI Mode now lets users book home services directly, OpenAI updated its image generation tool and acquired a company.
- Search
Google AI Mode now offers direct booking and quote links for home services #
Google Search VP Robby Stein announced on X on Wednesday that AI Mode now includes booking and quote links for home services through partners like Angi, Thumbtack, Housecall Pro and Jobber. ServiceTitan is expected to join soon. The feature is currently available in the US. Jobber said eligible US customers can receive these leads without paying a lead fee, and Housecall Pro also said it won't charge for leads, though its integration is coming soon.
What it means for your business: For a plumber or cleaning company, the field service software or marketplace account you use now determines whether you can pick up customers from Google's AI search. Eligibility requirements vary by platform: for example, Jobber requires your Google Business Profile to be linked to the same address, while Housecall Pro doesn't have that requirement. - AI
OpenAI rolls out Images 2.6, speeding up its image model and adding new controls #
OpenAI announced an update called Images 2.6. It brings faster image generation, GIF creation, more precise editing and new API controls. The features will be available across ChatGPT, the API and Codex, as separate products.
What it means for your business: For businesses producing product images or social media content, faster and more precise image editing can shorten your workflow.Source: OpenAI — Introducing Images 2.6
- AI
OpenAI is acquiring Pierre Computer Company to expand Codex's coding tools #
OpenAI announced it will acquire Pierre Computer Company. The company said the acquisition will expand Codex's tools for writing, understanding and reviewing code.
What it means for your business: This move to improve coding tools means Codex's capabilities could grow over time for businesses that rely on AI-assisted tools in their software development processes.Source: OpenAI — OpenAI to acquire Pierre Computer Company, Inc.