Microsoft Teams, the popular communication and collaboration tool, is about to receive a major update that promises to bring in more speed, flexibility and intelligence for users. With over 280 million monthly active users, Microsoft has been working on a new version of Teams that is designed to deliver a faster and smarter communication experience. In the latest preview for Windows, the new version is said to be 50% faster than the current version while using less memory.
A Preview of the New Teams
The new Microsoft Teams comes with a lot of features that are expected to improve efficiency for businesses. A preview of the new Teams for businesses has been launched, which is not only faster but also has a redesigned layout making it easier to find messages and notifications. It uses AI to catch users up on what happened before they joined a meeting, making it more intuitive than ever.
The Design
The new design of Microsoft Teams makes it more like a native Windows 11 app, with native materials like Windows 11 Mica giving it the translucency of Windows apps. Changing the canvas color from grey to white toning down the purple Teams’ color and allowing users to assign different colors to specific groups give Microsoft Teams an entirely updated look.
Foundation for Next-Generation AI Experiences
The new Teams will be the foundation for “next-generation” AI experiences, enabling AI features such as intelligent recap and Copilot for Microsoft Teams. These new features promise to take productivity and efficiency to another level by allowing users access to advanced tools such as language translation during chat or finding relevant files automatically through searches.
Available in Preview Mode
The new Microsoft Teams is available in preview mode and will launch for the public later in 2023. Businesses have to be part of the preview program to try out the new features. Microsoft aims to get feedback from businesses and teams to shape the new Teams’ final version.
Increased Popularity During the Pandemic
Microsoft Teams gained increased popularity during the pandemic, as companies looked for ways to keep staff connected at a time when many were working remotely. The company is giving it an overhaul aimed at making it even faster and more efficient, with the AI features being particularly intriguing.
Next-Generation Collaboration Tool
Microsoft Teams aims to bring together all communication and collaboration tools in one place, making it an easier way for people to work together remotely. With over 1,900 apps and 100,000 custom apps, Microsoft Teams is a platform for added productivity. The updated app is designed for speed, performance, flexibility, and intelligence; making it a next-generation collaboration tool.
Multiple Accounts Support
The new Teams app will support organizations with multiple tenants and accounts for seamless collaboration. Users collaborating across multiple organizations will have added support and ability to sign into multiple accounts simultaneously with simplified IT management and enhanced data security.
How to Download the New Microsoft Teams App
To download the new Microsoft Teams app, users need to sign up through the preview program or use the automatic updates feature of their system. Admins can opt-in for the preview release while users can switch back to classic Teams at any time. Not all new Teams features will show up during the public preview release as Microsoft looks to add more features in future updates.
What’s Next?
Teams users can look forward to third-party apps, line-of-business apps advanced calling features, and advanced meeting capabilities in future updates from Microsoft. As Microsoft continues to listen carefully to its customers’ feedback, we expect more exciting developments with this communication app in 2023 when it becomes available publicly. For now, businesses can try out the preview mode of this revamped version of Microsoft Teams which promises fast performance, flexibility, and AI-powered experiences for remote communication and collaboration.
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
