Microsoft announces new updates to Teams and Office

Microsoft on Thursday announced a series of updates to its video conferencing service Microsoft Teams. The update aims to enhance and facilitate the hybrid work experience. 

"Every leader is grappling with how to have effective hybrid meetings, often with limited equipment and resources. Hybrid meetings are an entirely new kind of meeting and require rethinking how we approach and conduct them to ensure we’re putting every attendee on equal footing, no matter where they’re sitting. Technology can help take the hybrid meeting experience to the next level," Microsoft said in its blog.

Here are the changes which the new update brings and they will roll out gradually to the users in the coming months.

1. Intelligent Camera
   Microsoft is working with companies like Jabra, Poly, Neat and Yealink to deliver video conferencing experience using intelligent cameras. These cameras enhance the presence of people in a Teams room with the help of AI-Powered active speaker tracking, which detect as to who is speaking in the room. Also they will be capable of producing multiple video streams with a separate video feed for each individual in the room.
   
   
2. Companion Mode
   This feature will help individuals in meeting rooms to contribute more dynamically. The mode is being updated in the mobile apps to give in-room attendees quick access to engagement features like chat, live reactions and Microsoft Whiteboard.
   
   
3. Outlook Working Hours and RSVP
   Organisers will get the option to see if someone is working remotely or in the office through the new redesigned working hours feature in Outlook. They would also be able to see if a meeting is outside their regular working hours. Also, with the new RSVP, people will be able to share whether they will attend the meeting in person or online, allowing organisers to make better decisions.
   
   
4. Hot Desking
   This will allow people to locate and reserve flexible workspaces in the office. Employees can book a space from the device or in advance using Outlook or Teams and access their personal Teams calendar, chats, meetings and more.
   
   
5. Cameo
   This feature will seamlessly integrate user's Teams camera feed into their presentation. Users will then have the liberty to customise as to how and where they would like to be displayed on the power point slide while presenting a Power Point Presentation through Microsoft Teams.
   
   The New Cameo Mode; Source: Microsoft
6. Speaker Coach
   The Speaker Coach feature will use AI to provide the user with guidance on their pace and notify them if they are interrupting someone.
   
   
7. Lighting Corrections
   The new automatic lightning correction will help users to show well in meetings by making them visible in low light environments.
   
   
8. Apple CarPlay Integration
   The integration with Apple CarPlay would allow users to join meeting hands free with the help of Siri.
   
   
9. Viva Connections
   Viva Connections will provide a single employee app for company communications, news and announcements – all in a personalized feed right in Teams, powered by Microsoft 365. Organizations will be able to customize the dashboard with additional apps to empower employees, making it easier to find useful resources and complete tasks like submitting expense reports, requesting time off from work, or clocking in and out.