This archive report was first published on 22 April 2020.
On April 22, 2020, Microsoft announced significant upgrades to its remote working platform, Teams, to improve user experience amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
As more organizations shift to remote working and learning, Microsoft is committed to building tools that help teams stay productive and connected, even when working apart.
"Enabling remote work is more important than ever," said Jared Spataro, Corporate Vice President, Microsoft 365. "We continue to invest in experiences that will make it easier for teams to communicate and collaborate."
Teams now allows users without an internet connection or those with low bandwidth connectivity to read chat messages, making it easier for users to continue working from anywhere.
The platform has also introduced real-time noise suppression capabilities to minimize distracting background noise, allowing participants to hear what is being said.
A new 'raise hand' feature lets anyone in the meeting send a visual signal that they have something to say, making it easier for remote participants to chime in.
Additionally, the new Bookings app in Teams makes it easy to schedule, manage, and conduct virtual appointments for situations like healthcare patient consults, client meetings, or job candidate interviews.
