Microsoft Launches Faster, “More Intelligent” Version of Teams

Microsoft launched the public preview of the latest version of the Microsoft Teams app, which aims to offer more speed, flexibility and intelligence.  Also, Microsoft announced 59 new features to Teams. As of today, over 280 million people rely on Microsoft Teams to stay connected. 

“The new Teams is more intelligent than ever, infused with next gen AI from top to bottom. You can run more effective meetings by getting up to speed and getting answers, all without interrupting the flow of the discussion and keep you and your team on the same page afterwards,” says Microsoft. 

Microsoft’s revamped Teams app aims to offer twice the speed using only half of the system resources. To accomplish this objective, the company has invested in renewing the platform and optimizing the speed and performance of its chat, video, network and data architecture. Although there is still room for further enhancements, the public preview of the new Teams has yielded promising results, says the company. 

Microsoft says that it is always seeking ways to offer a straightforward and enriched experience to its user base. Improvements to the fundamental Teams experience are expected to streamline how users receive notifications, search for information, handle messages and arrange their channels. Microsoft has invested significantly in improving its support infrastructure as it has acknowledged that some customers manage organizations with multiple accounts and tenants. Moreover, Microsoft’s goal is to leverage AI to simplify teamwork by providing users with relevant information before joining a chat or meeting and by answering queries within the conversation itself. According to studies, 35% of companies actively use AI in daily operations. Not to mention that AI growth has spiked to 270% in the past four years, explains Gino Ferand, CEO, Tecla, to MBN. 

Microsoft also announced over 50 new features that will be incorporated into Teams such as Speaker Coach in Microsoft Teams Meeting, Avatars for Microsoft Teams, Hotline Phones and a virtual front desk, among others.  Additionally, newly certified devices for Microsoft Teams were introduced, such as the Poly Voyager Free 60 earbuds and the Jabra SPEAK2 Speakerphones.

“Teams is your modern workplace. Reimagined from the ground up to be faster, simpler and smarter so your teams and business cand thrive,” adds Microsoft.

In Mexico, the use of Microsoft Teams increased as a result of the pandemic. As of April 2020, the use of the camera in the calls via Microsoft Teams increased by 41%, reported Microsoft.