Issue #2: Gemini's small-business tools, Slides in ChatGPT, and locked chats

1. Gemini adds tools built for small business owners (Oct 20)

Google is adding a business hub inside the Gemini app. From one page you can save your brand style (upload your website, logo, fonts, or colors once, and Gemini keeps using them for marketing images), turn messy spreadsheets and receipts into charts and simple financial models, and connect Gemini to Google Business Profile, Google Ads, and Workspace, plus apps like Canva, Adobe, Dropbox, Shopify, Wix, Zoho, and Xero. Google says it starts rolling out globally to all Gemini app users “in the coming days.” Google’s post doesn’t list a price.

Does this matter to you? Small business owners: yes. Watch for it in the Gemini app, and try the brand style on one social post before using it for a campaign. Larger companies that need admin controls: Google points you to Gemini for business instead. Source: Google

2. ChatGPT can now build slide decks (Oct 20)

ChatGPT Slides creates a presentation from a conversation, your files, or an outline, and you can share an example deck to set the style. You and your teammates can edit the same deck at the same time and leave comments, then present it from ChatGPT or export it to PowerPoint, PDF, or Google Slides. It’s rolling out to eligible Pro, Business, and Enterprise users.

Does this matter to you? If your company is on ChatGPT Business or Enterprise: yes, this could save real time on bid presentations, proposals, and team updates. Free, Go, and Plus users: not yet. Source: OpenAI ChatGPT release notes, Oct 20, 2026 entry

3. Locked chats and new voices in ChatGPT (Oct 20)

You can now lock individual ChatGPT conversations. A locked chat disappears from your history, pinned chats, and search, and opens only with your 4-digit account PIN or your device’s own unlock where supported. It’s rolling out gradually to Free, Go, Plus, and Pro users on the web, phone apps, and the ChatGPT desktop app. OpenAI also updated ChatGPT Voice with more natural accents and new voices for French, German, Hindi, Japanese, Korean, and Mexican Spanish.

Does this matter to you? Anyone who shares a computer or phone, or has chats about pay, health, or clients: yes. Open a chat’s ••• menu and choose Lock chat. Everyone else: nice to know. Source: OpenAI ChatGPT release notes, Oct 20, 2026 entry

4. Gemini gets more personal in the car (Oct 20)

Gemini is now available globally on Android Auto and in cars with Google built-in. Starting this week on Android Auto, it can also use “Personal Intelligence”: with your permission, it pulls from Gmail, Calendar, Photos, Maps, and YouTube, so you can ask things like “take me to my doctor’s appointment” without looking up the address. Cars with Google built-in get this in the coming months. It’s for personal Google accounts age 18 and up, not Workspace work accounts, and it isn’t available in the European Economic Area, the UK, Switzerland, or Nigeria.

Does this matter to you? If you spend your day driving between job sites and use Android Auto with a personal Google account: worth turning on. If your email is a company Workspace account: this won’t see it. Source: Google

5. Perplexity Computer can now run entirely on your Mac (Oct 20)

Perplexity’s Computer assistant can now run the AI model and do its tasks fully on your Mac instead of in the cloud. With your permission, it can work across your local files and Mac apps like Notes and Mail without sending that personal data out. It’s available to Perplexity Pro, Max, and Enterprise subscribers in the Perplexity Mac app on supported Apple silicon Macs.

Does this matter to you? If you pay for Perplexity and handle sensitive files on a newer Mac: yes, worth a look. Windows and free users: no change. Source: Perplexity