
Google Unveils Gemini Omni & Gemini 3.5 – Faster, Cheaper AI for SMBs
On May 29, Google released Gemini Omni and Gemini 3.5, two models that run up to 3x faster and use 40% less compute than the previous Gemini. For a Stony Plain plumbing shop, that means generating quotes, scheduling jobs, and answering FAQs in real time without blowing the budget. The rollout includes a free tier with 100 k token credits, enough for a handful of daily chats. Small businesses can plug the new API into existing chat widgets or Zapier flows and start cutting labor hours immediately. The next step is to test the model on a single workflow – like a service‑request form – and compare response time and cost against your current ChatGPT setup.
Faster, cheaper AI lets you automate customer interactions without hiring extra staff or paying big cloud bills.
Source: Google AI Blog
Quick Hits
OpenAI Launches Deployment Simulation to Test Models Before Going Live
OpenAI's new Deployment Simulation lets you run a sandbox of real conversation data to spot errors before a model reaches customers. A retail boutique can feed last month’s chat logs, catch hallucinations, and avoid costly support tickets. Try it on a copy of your sales‑chat transcript and set a rule: only deploy if error rate stays under 2%.
OpenAI BlogWired Shares 28 Prompt‑Engineering Hacks for ChatGPT
Wired's guide lists tricks like role‑playing a specific persona and chaining prompts with delimiters. A handyman can ask ChatGPT to draft a job estimate by first defining the scope, then feeding a cost table, and finally requesting a polished email. Apply three of the hacks to your next proposal and shave 10 minutes off writing time.
Wired AITechCrunch Introduces “In the Weights” – An AI‑Centric Vanity Search
The new search ranks you on a proprietary AI score based on how well your site’s content matches user intent. A local dentist can boost visibility by tweaking page headings to align with the top‑scoring keywords. Check your score, adjust one headline, and watch local clicks rise.
TechCrunch AITool of the Day

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Check it out →The Number
40%
Google says Gemini 3.5 uses 40% less compute than its predecessor, translating to lower cloud bills for any business that runs dozens of daily chats.
Source: Google AI Blog
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