Google CEO Sundar Pichai announced the Gemini Enterprise Agent Platform during Wednesday's Google Cloud Next conference. The new tool is designed to facilitate the building and management of AI agents at scale for enterprise use.
TechCrunch reported that the platform serves as Google's direct competitor to Amazon’s Bedrock AgentCore and Microsoft Foundry. The tool specifically targets IT and technical teams for complex tasks like coding.
For non-technical business users, Google is directing personnel toward the Gemini Enterprise app, which launched last fall. This application allows users to build agents for scheduling, file editing, and automating repetitive tasks without switching between different software applications.
Google's new ecosystem will utilize various underlying models, including the company's own Gemini LLM and the Nano Banana 2 image generator. Notably, the platform also integrates Anthropic's Claude models, including Claude Opus, Sonnet, and Haiku, as well as the recently released Claude Opus 4.7.
Xbox mobile store project faces setbacks
While Google expands its AI agent capabilities, Microsoft's long-standing ambitions for a mobile Xbox store appear to be facing significant hurdles. The Verge reported that the URL Microsoft had been testing for an Xbox mobile store is no longer functional.
Microsoft first announced plans for an Xbox mobile gaming store to compete with Apple and Google in 2022. Former Xbox president Sarah Bond had previously stated at a Bloomberg event that the store would launch in July 2024, but the project now appears to be on hold.
Microsoft Gaming CEO Asha Sharma addressed the current state of the project, stating, “While I am still learning, the idea of an Xbox mobile store is not dead.” Sharma noted that the company recently filed an amicus brief because they believe mobile competition remains essential for an open future of play.
According to The Verge, Microsoft's progress has been stalled by strict rules within existing mobile app stores. The company had hoped that the Digital Markets Act in Europe or specific US court actions would force Apple and Google to open their ecosystems.
In the absence of these openings, Microsoft pivoted toward a web-based version of the service that provides deals on in-game items. Former Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer told an interview in 2023 that the company wants to offer content across any screen where players want to play, but acknowledged they currently cannot do so on mobile devices.
Kiki Wolfkill departs Microsoft
In a separate move within the gaming industry, Microsoft veteran Kiki Wolfkill has left the company. According to a report from Reddit r/Games via Windows Central, Wolfkill's departure ends a 28-year tenure at the corporation.
Wolfkill previously held high-profile roles including Xbox Film/TV lead and executive positions within the Halo franchise.
